In his book “Eat to Live”, Joel Fuhrman MD, says about cardiovascular diseases, “Every heart attack death is even more of a tragedy because it likely could have been prevented.”

Many factors contribute to high cholesterol levels, such as an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, stress, smoking, predisposition to cholesterol, and family history. High cholesterol or Hypercholesterolemia (also referred to as hyperlipidemia), and hypertriglyceridemia (high triglyceride levels) is a leading risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and symptoms seldom manifest until the serum lipid levels are severely elevated and cross the range at which cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are increased [4].

Epidemiologic studies predict that for each 1% reduction in the level of LDL cholesterol there is a 1% to 1.5% reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular events [4].

Young adults and working professionals

Hyperlipidemia is affecting millions of young people, the world over. Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease [5]. They encounter co-morbidities due to abnormal lipid levels in their blood. One of the major factors for hypertriglyceridemia in our Indian population could be a diet replete with carbohydrates and saturated fats [7]. The lipid and lipoprotein profiles in the urban Indian population reveal a high instance of hypercholesterolemia and abnormally high LDL-C and low HDL-C levels. Also, smoking has a negative impact due to its HDL (good) cholesterol-lowering effects, putting you at risk of heart disease [8]. A recent survey involving men and women within the age group 25-45, revealed that as many as 25% of them suffered from high or abnormal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides [6].

Vegans

Since vegans follow a plant-only nutritious diet, the dietary factors relating to the occurrence of high cholesterol are reduced to a minimum. However, several other factors such as familial hypercholesteremia, stress, lack of physical exercise, and excessive consumption of fatty foods also lead to hypercholesteremia. Therefore, it is vital to keep cholesterol levels in check, no matter how healthy is the diet.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs and their side-effects

Often, cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) are prescribed to treat or prevent cardiovascular diseases in patients with hyperlipidemia. However, these drugs come with host-of side effects such as memory loss, muscle damage, and CoQ10 depletion [9]. One of the best alternatives to cholesterol-lowering drugs is Red Yeast Rice. Unived’s Red Yeast Rice reduces LDL cholesterol and triglyceride count and increases HDL cholesterol, thus improving overall lipid profile without any side effects and that is safe for long-term consumption.

References:

3. Journoud, Mélanie, and Peter JH Jones. "Red yeast rice: a new hypolipidemic drug." Life Sciences 74.22 (2004): 2675-2683.

4. Hyperlipidemia, Clinical Key, Elsevier, https://www.clinicalkey.com/topics/cardiology/hyperlipidemia.html.

5. Akira Endo, ‘The Origin of cholesterol lowering drugs’, Atherosclerosis Supplements, Oct 2004, vol.5 (3), pg.125-130.

6. Debrati S Sen, ‘How Stress Affects Youngsters’, 12Feb 2013,the Times of India.

7. Sawant, A. M., et al. "Prevalence of dyslipidemia in young adult Indian population." Japi 56.2 (2008): 99-102.

8. High Blood Cholesterol Levels, Medline Plus, National Institutes of Health. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus.

9. Mercedes Serrano, ‘Comparison of Red Yeast Rice with Placebo in [cholesterol lowering drug] – Intolerant Adult Patients with Hyperlipidemia’. 2010, Paper 197, Pacific University, School of Physician Assistant Studies.