Q: In 1986 I had a heart attack. Among other drugs I was put on 10 mg of Lipitor. I took that for many years. Then I read and heard about oat bran and decided to try it. I ordered 1000 mg oat bran tablets from a catalog. Around the same time, my gastroenterologist also urged me to get more fiber in my diet so I also ordered 560 mg psyllium capsules. I take one oat bran tablet twice a day and one psyllium at bedtime. I had a routine blood lab test following starting these supplements and my doctor indicated that he thought my cholesterol level was too low and had me reduce my Lipitor to 5 mg daily.
For some years now I have taken the oat bran and psyllium and my cholesterol has remained low with the “good” cholesterol being “ideal”. I don’t like to take drugs, and recently reduced my Lipitor to 5 mg every other day. On my next blood work test next month, I will find out my new count. I’d much rather take the oat bran and psyllium than the Lipitor.
A: Lipitor is one of the most common cholesterol-lowering statin drugs on the market. Statins work to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and raise “good” HDL cholesterol. They are prescribed for individuals in which diet and exercise alone are not enough to bring levels under control, have a history of heart attack or stroke, and/or have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Statins, while beneficial for many users, carry many side effects with some being potentially serious. The most common is muscle and joint pain that results from the drug’s ability to deplete co-enzyme Q10. This can usually be combated by simply taking a Co-Q10 supplement; however, understandably, many individuals would prefer to not be on a prescription medication. That is where home remedies and alternative therapies come into play with varying degrees of effectiveness and safety.
The oat bran and psyllium you are taking are both forms of fiber. Psyllium is commonly used to treat constipation and maintain regularity and has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol. Oat bran has been shown to improve cholesterol numbers. Other common alternatives include red rice yeast (which contains a natural form of lovastatin, the active ingredient in the prescription statin drug Mevacor), plant stanols and sterols, garlic, blond psyllium, barley, and more.
Those interested in trying alternatives should always discuss the issue with their physicians prior to use. This is to ensure that the risk of interaction between other supplements and drugs also being taken are kept to a minimum, as well as aiding the physician should side effects or complications arise.
Readers who are interested in learning more can order Dr. Gott’s Health Reports “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies” and “Understanding Cholesterol” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 (for each report) to Peter H. Gott, MD Health Reports, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title(s) or print an order form from www.AskDrGottMD.com.
