DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 71-year-old feminine in good well being who is kind of bodily lively. I’ve been taking purple yeast rice with CoQ10 to assist with my levels of cholesterol. (My son-in-law, who’s a chiropractor and fairly educated about dietary supplements, advised this to me.) My levels of cholesterol are nonetheless considerably excessive, however my physician has not pressed me to start out a statin drug.

My husband and an excellent buddy of ours each had excessive levels of cholesterol and began taking a statin drug. Each developed neuropathy and really feel that the drug had an element in that. I don’t wish to take an opportunity on taking a statin drug.

My son-in-law thought citrus bergamot could be considerably higher than purple yeast with CoQ10. I appeared on-line for citrus bergamot however was unsure what model could be good to strive.

I’m hoping you may give me some perception about taking the purple yeast rice with CoQ10 versus citrus bergamot to be able to assist with my levels of cholesterol. If citrus bergamot would maybe be higher, then I’m hoping you may advocate a specific model that I can order. I will likely be seeing my major care doctor shortly and can plan to speak together with her about all of this as effectively. — H.H.

ANSWER: A really latest examine in contrast a statin drug (rosuvastatin, or Crestor) with a number of totally different dietary supplements, together with fish oil, garlic, turmeric, plant sterols and purple yeast rice. There was additionally a gaggle who acquired a placebo. On this stringent trial, rosuvastatin decreased the dangerous LDL levels of cholesterol by 35%, as has been seen in different research. Not one of the different remedies considerably lowered levels of cholesterol. Additional, rosuvastatin has been proven in lots of giant scientific trials to cut back the probability of coronary heart assault in people at excessive threat. Not one of the dietary supplements have proven that profit.

Statins have certainly been related to peripheral neuropathies. The very best revealed estimate I may discover is one case per 220 individuals who took a statin for 10 years. Most circumstances resolved when the particular person stopped the statin drug. I’d not advocate making an attempt a statin, even a unique one, in an individual who has had this complication.

Crimson yeast rice comprises a compound referred to as monacolin Ok, which is the lively ingredient within the prescription drug lovastatin. The dose varies, however is usually decrease within the complement (which can clarify why purple yeast rice was ineffective within the new examine).

I did discover a number of research suggesting bergamot (a kind of orange native to Italy whose important oil has been utilized in meals and perfumes for hundreds of years) lowers ldl cholesterol. Nevertheless, historical past reveals that many promising dietary supplements fail to stay as much as the promise of lowering coronary heart illness threat.

For folks at excessive threat for coronary heart assault or stroke, no complement has been confirmed to be as efficient as a statin drug.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 68-year-old man. I’ve been taking olmesartan, hydrochlorothiazide and atorvastatin for a few years. My concern is the baggage below my eyes. They appear to get bigger as I grow old. Are the medicines inflicting the bagginess? — G.Y.

ANSWER: Luggage below the eyes are brought on by tissues weakening in and below the pores and skin, generally by extra fluid within the unfastened tissues below the attention. Luggage below the eyes are extraordinarily frequent as folks age. At age 68, they’re anticipated. Neither of those medicines are more likely to be inflicting this drawback. Good sleep, glorious skincare, not smoking, and avoiding extra salt are more likely to be useful.

Dr. Roach regrets that he’s unable to reply particular person letters, however will incorporate them within the column at any time when potential. Readers could electronic mail inquiries to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or ship mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.

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