Sick of all these news coverage of the Wuhan coronavirus as the days go by. Figured I’ll write about something else that is potentially a slow but silent killer – cholesterol, and my use of CholesFree to maintain healthier cholesterol levels.
It was back in 2017. One of those regular blood tests threw up some unexpected results. As in, the bad kind of unexpected.
Cholesterol. Uh oh. The thing is, I’ve got pretty weird readings.
HDL (high) – I’ve got this on the higher side, which is commonly associated with being a “good” thing. Depending on what you read, sometimes too much of a good thing ain’t good, too. Either was, mine was at 1.61 (from here on, all in mmol/L measurements).
LDL (high) – The “bad” guys. Mine was off the charts at 4.92! Amazing, really. No words for it. Basically, lower this or face an early demise.
Triglycerides (low) – Like HDL, I’ve got this on the “optimal” side of the spectrum.
Total Cholesterol (high) – Problem with LDL and HDL that are both high? The total cholesterol level is bonkers, and even higher than the usual high.
Another reason for those regular medical check-ups, eh? Alright, before I go on and on, let me post the table showing my cholesterol readings over the last few years.
I don’t actually have all the test results because I forgot to keep some copies 🙁
Anyway, after the set of disastrous test results in 2017, I went to a polyclinic and requested a follow-up. Basically, they re-test to ascertain the readings are accurate. After the second opinion, I adopted a three-prong approach.
Medication – statins
Short-term use of one cycle of statins to lower the cholesterol levels, which worked wonderfully well. Cholesterol level immediately went to desirable range. Plus, I didn’t really suffer from any side effects.
Yet, (western) medication wasn’t something that I would want to start depending on at a young age. The doc concur, and so, I stopped it.
Life-style improvements
Well, my weight/BMI has always been under control and I regularly get money for my IPPTs etc, so there hasn’t been any obvious warning signs that can be physically seen. Food-wise, I do try my best to moderate what I eat or don’t eat.
Genetics lottery. That must be it. My dad has had cardio issues so I might have inherited certain traits that are beyond my control. To rub salt on my wounds, my bulletproof wife (haha) and I pretty much consume the same type of food and yet, she has the gold standard when it comes to cholesterol levels. Like, what gives?
Yes, further improvements are needed to overcome my inferior DNA.
Maintain or increase the level of physical activities. I go running regularly, so that has to continue.
I no longer take carbo/sugar-laced food for weekdays breakfast, except for one cheat day occasionally. Well, except for a half-cup of kopi-o (siew dai).
I drink even less sugary drinks these days. My alternatives are now sugar-less drinks e.g. oolong-tea, jasmine-tea or soya bean. Beware of their sodium level though – get sodium-less versions for best effects.
Increase intake of soluble fiber that is found in such food like beans and fruits to help reduce the absorption of cholesterol into bloodstream.
Indeed, these measures have helped to reduce my levels of cholesterol to a somewhat acceptable range, but they were still sub-optimal.
Supplement with CholesFree
My search for alternatives to western medication led to a product by Eu Yan Sang called CholesFree Plus With Natto. What is it?
Note – this is not a sponsored post.
In essence, CholesFree is a natural health supplement containing 100% fermented Red Yeast Rice extract with Natto to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. The active compounds essential for supporting healthy cholesterol levels are retained. The newer version also contains Natto made from fermented soybean that helps to support healthy blood vessels.
Why does CholesFree work? This is because the active ingredient in red yeast rice is Monacolin K, which is chemically identical to lovastatin, a prescription drug which blocks the liver from producing bad cholesterol.
I started taking CholesFree in August 2019, and the results can be seen in the October 2019 and January 2020 readings. Straight into the green zone. As to the effectiveness of CholesFree in reducing cholesterol levels, the numbers speak for themselves.
Note – this is not a sponsored post.
During my follow-up session with the doc at the polyclinic, she was surprised at my results and was like, oh so what have you been doing? The results are good. (haha)
Hearsay – when I buy my supplies at Eu Yan Sang, I like to ask the shop attendants on the people who buy it. There are stories of folks who started because their doctor recommended it. *shrug* Anyway, take this with a huge pinch of salt. Cholesterol studies are somewhat hit-and-miss but there are general consensus as to what are desirable levels.
I wrote this post because CholesFree helped me to get to desirable cholesterol levels, and I have data to prove it.
See my follow-up blog post in 2022 here with new blood test results.
The usual disclaimer (just like finance stuff) that this is not medical advice, and please consult your doctor before making any decisions pertaining to your handling of cholesterol levels. Also note certain individual profiles (pregnant, liver issues, etc) are not suitable to take CholesFree.
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Hi! I’m Kevin.
I am the guy who laid claim to a negative net worth of minus $25,755 at the age of 30. Seven years later, I hit CPF Full Retirement Sum (FRS) without making a single cent of CPF top-up. More tidbits about myself here in case you’re curious. I have nothing to sell to you. In my spare time, I chase miles so that my wife and I can fly in business class. My hobby is making pocket money off my blog.
I have read that cholesterol may have been made a “villain” in error. The Diet-Heart Hypothesis that suggest high dietary cholesterol leads to heart disease has NEVER (in more than 30 years) been proven. Instead, recent research proofs otherwise. (https://chriskresser.com/new-study-puts-final-nail-in-the-saturated-fat-causes-heart-disease-coffin/). I am wondering why other doctors seem to agree that lowering cholesterol may not be in our best interests. (https://youtu.be/cHIzSS9ZBVY) Many believe that “Health is Wealth” and it would be tragic that while we strive to get wealth, we are getting poorer health-wise, assuming the latest studies about cholesterol is accurate. Perhaps we need to pay some (more) attention to the advice our own doctors are (still) using.
Hi Jim,
Like what I have mentioned, cholesterol studies are somewhat hit-and-miss. There is a reason why somewhat vague terms are used to describe cholesterol levels e.g. optimal/desirable/etc.
I have considered different schools of thought. On a personal basis, it is prudent to subscribe to the idea that moderation is key. Anything that is exceptionally high/low isn’t good. In addition, when considered in totality with my risk factors e.g. parent(s) with history cardiovascular issues, there are certain implications that cannot be ignored.
Once again –
The usual disclaimer that this is not medical advice, and please consult your doctor before making any decisions pertaining to your handling of cholesterol levels.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “GOOD” AND “BAD” CHOLESTEROL.
Cholesterol is just cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance which cannot flow and need to be carry around throughout the body by a lipoprotein.
LDL & HDL are not cholesterol but lipoproteins that transport the cholesterol.
Cholesterol make by the liver are carry by the LDL through the blood vessels to various cells & tissue in the body which need cholesterol.
Cholesterol which are not utilized get transport back to the liver by another lipoprotein call HDL.
LDL has a large and small particles size. The small particle size LDL may get stuck on the wall of blood vessel and oxidized.
The big drug companies are one who “invented” the “bad cholesterol “ for LDL & “good cholesterol “ for HDL so that they can sell us one drug to reduce your LDL and another drug to increase your HDL.
Ah yes, thank you for your views.
Exactly what I came across when I did my research. Read all about cholesterol and lipid hypothesis. Some “studies” indicate that the “bad” (pardon my liberal use of the word in double quote) guys are in fact sugar and tryglycerides, and not LDL. (See how I mentioned cutting sugar from my diet as well?) Heck, I even consume an egg daily for breakfast and it has interesting effects on cholesterol levels, personally.
This is why I mentioned in my post, cholesterol studies are somewhat hit/miss and there is not single definitive answer, and for myself, the best course of action is to err on the side of caution considering my risk factors. Too much of anything simply isn’t good.
One argument, like what you said, is that big drug companies created the whole narrative for LDL and HDL etc. One can easily argue on the other side, that companies that manufacture or sell food products (dietary fat) that are directly correlated to cholesterol levels, have similar motivations or incentives to fund research or papers that indicate otherwise.
Once again –
The usual disclaimer that this is not medical advice, and please consult your doctor before making any decisions pertaining to your handling of cholesterol levels.
Are you still continuing with CholesFree ?
I’m concern if you stop taking it, the cholesterol level will rise again.
Hi JXJ,
In the short term, I am pretty sure the LDL readings will rise if I stop taking it. And I don’t intend to stop, yet.
The whole point is that CholesFree isn’t a miracle solution, and it works to lower LDL in the short term. Meanwhile, I have bought myself even more time to tackle the LDL issue via lifestyle and diet.
Hi friend, its interesting to read your article and comments. Wanna ask how many pills did you take in the beginning and now?
1 capsule in the morning (after breakfast) and 1 capsule at night (after dinner), my routine hasn’t changed at all.
My intention was to use it to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, and of course together with exercise and a better diet.