Question: My husband and I are both 60 years old and feel the need to use supplements for better health. My husband has had problems with high cholesterol levels, but he is not currently taking medication. We are interested in a good, basic regimen of supplements. What would you recommend?
Dr. Brownstein's Answer:
There is no research validating the use of cholesterol drugs for anyone over the age of 59. Between the ages of 40-59, the best of the cholesterol studies has shown a 1 percent reduction in risk of nonfatal heart attack with the use of statin drugs over approximately three years.
At age 60, your husband’s best predictor of longevity is his cholesterol level — the higher the level, the longer he will live (statistically). However, there are conditions that can cause the body to produce abnormally high amounts of cholesterol. If cholesterol levels are elevated, a thorough search should be undertaken to ascertain why the body is producing excess cholesterol.
Some common factors promoting excess cholesterol include heavy-metal toxicity, infections, and stress. In this case, the worst thing you could do is take a cholesterol-lowering medication. I guarantee that elevated cholesterol levels are not due to a deficit of cholesterol-lowering medication.
What do I recommend for you and husband to maintain good health? First, eat a good diet, free of refined foods. Second, drink adequate amounts of water and stay hydrated. Third, take 5,000 mg of vitamin C a day. This course of therapy will help you stay healthy a lot longer than taking a statin drug.
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