Millions of people are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, usually statin medications. Many experience side effects from these drugs such as achy muscles and fatigue. We understand why these side effects occur. Statin drugs are designed to control how much cholesterol is manufactured in the liver. In this process, the medication often compromises the liver’s normal ability to detoxify.

 

Medical professionals emphasize the necessity of managing cholesterol. We agree. However, the message that most people have heard for reducing cholesterol is to reduce saturated fat.  At Nutritional Weight & Wellness, we follow what research supports, which is that saturated fat is not the cause of cholesterol problems; the real culprits are trans fats, processed carbohydrates and sugar. So, if you switched to margarine on your toast and replaced eggs with cereal, you are creating more of a cholesterol imbalance. Yes, butter is better—and margarine increases LDL, bad cholesterol.  Eating healthy fats, lean protein and vegetable carbohydrates will result in a balanced diet and good cholesterol levels. We believe that more than ninety percent of the population can manage cholesterol through a healthy, balanced diet.

 

In addition to healthy eating for cholesterol management, we teach people how to interpret the impact of all their cholesterol numbers on health.  We often use specific strategies to raise HDL and lower LDL and triglycerides using food, exercise and supplements.  If you are currently taking medication or have been advised to use a prescription to manage your cholesterol, we recommend an individual consultation. For those wishing to maintain healthy cholesterol, our Weight & Wellness class provides the tools that you need.