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Joe, I spoke to my HIV specialist and cardio doctor. According to them, red rice yeast is a herbal statin, with the same kind of action as statins, but because they are chemically different (the wiki says that they are chemically the same, according to a "report" financed by pharma Merck, which immediately puts it into question) they should not have any interaction with Reyataz. My LDL is also high, and RRY keeps is on the border. I have been using it for 2 years, and I do not see any side effects. I would not discount it. Just make sure you get it in powder forms instead of hard tablets. Give it it try. You need to used it for 3 months to see effect.
I've had this same issue with taking Atripla. Two years ago, my cholesterol was at 227. After that result, I started putting a half-teaspoon of milled flax seed in almost everything I eat. That brought me down to a result of 206 last year. Since then, I have added to this therapy more fish in my diet and a small exercise routine as well. A couple months ago, I had the pleasure of seeing my cholesterol drop to 157. I almost can't wait for next year to see what my lipid panel has in store for me.
Whats up, Joe! How refreshing to read that I'm not the only one trying to figure out how to keep my cholesterol at bay. I've tried cholesterol meds in the past but had horrible side effects. I pulled myself off of them slowly. It's been about 2 yrs since I've taken Lipitor or any other med associated with cholesterol. What has kept my numbers around 200 (until recently/last month's count, I'm at 240) is chia seeds (I stopped taking chia seed tho; I got tired of it), fish oil (I'm still taking those) and of recent weeks, niacin at 100mg once a day. The NP wants to start me back on cholesterol meds again, but I'm trying to do all I can to avoid it. Will know next blood work if the niacin has made a dent in my recent numbers. My NP actually ordered the niacin for me to try; so talk to ur NP and see if this is something for u to try. Good luck on finding what works for u! God bless ya!
My cholesterol is creeping up too, and like you I want to avoid statins. I've tried niacin, artichoke and fish oil capsules but to no avail. Now I'm wondering if the Red Yeast Rice capsules can be taken with Truvada & Isentress since they aren't protease inhibitors. Does anybody have any feedback on that?
I really appreciate the response I'm getting from the HIV community on this topic, and actually breath a sign of relief in knowing I'm not the only one in this situation. Erick, I will definitely look into eggplant tea, I had no idea eggplant had such potent anti-cholesterol capabilities. I currently am waiting on a call back from my HIV doctor regarding possible treatment options. She's been wanting me to transfer for Truvada and Rescriptor, but due to my increase in CD4 count, and overall general health, she hasn't pushed me to make the change since I'm doing so well. Once I hear back from my HIV doctor, I will post her response here concerning lipid treatments.
Try eggplant tea Im not sure if it works with cholesterol as mine have been fine all along bug I suffered from very high triglycerides levels (not because of hiv but genetics as there are many diabetic people in my family), so I peel and chop an eggplant and boil it in half a liter of water and the. Drink one glass before every meal (I add some lime juice to improve the flavor) It does wonders for my triglycerides This recipe was passed to me as a weight loss tip, which it doesn't help but tomy surprise my triglycerides became normal!
Jeesh boy can I relate. I'm taking fish oil, iron supplements, anti-depression, high blood pressure, HIV, and Cholesterol meds. Managing all these medications (and the side effects) is full time job by itself. And having to be knowledgeable about what interacts with what can be confusing. It's nice to know I'm not alone.
Oliver
The active ingredient in Policosanol is a mixture of sugar cane wax alcohols (SCWA), derived from the waxy coating of the stems and leaves of sugar cane. It may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and may help maintain cholesterol within the normal range and improve the HDL/LDL ratio
February 12, 2016