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About Cholesterol

High cholesterol is not a disease in itself, but it is linked to serious conditions, such as cardiovascular conditions (disease of the heart and blood vessels), angina, stroke, and mini stroke, known as transient ischaemic attack (TIA). A high level of cholesterol in your blood, together with a high level of triglycerides, can increase your risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Western Medicine View

If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, the first method of treatment will usually involve making some changes to your diet (adopting a low fat diet), and ensuring that you take plenty of regular exercise. After a few months, if your cholesterol level has not dropped, you will usually be advised to take cholesterol lowering medication. Commonly prescribed medication includes: Statins, Aspirin and Niacin. Sometimes other medications, such as cholesterol absorption inhibitors (ezetimibe), and bile-acid sequestrants are used to lower cholesterol.

Chinese Medicine View

Over-consumption of fatty foods, sweet foods, dairy products and alcohol generates Damp-Heat inside the body which leads to the failure of the spleen and stomach to digest food and transport its nutrients to the rest of the body.

High cholesterol is often marked by a deficiency of the Yin energy in the Liver and Kidney, as well as lassitude in the loins and knees, dizziness and tinnitus, insomnia, amnesia, diabetes, hypertension and heart attack.

If the level of cholesterol is high during mental depression, Fire will be generated in the Liver and the pathogenic Fire-Heat will attack the Liver channel in the body.

Treatment Options

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs (including those which are known to lower cholesterol) can treat high cholesterol by achieving natural, healthy weight-loss, by treating indigestion, relieving stress and treating the deficiency of vital energy in the Kidney and Liver.

The efficacy of acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatments for high cholesterol has been confirmed through standardised medical evaluation performed by Western medical practitioners.

Lifestyle Advice

-Drink 2 litres of water every day.

-Use less salt and sugar.

-Eat less of the cholesterol-rich foods.

-Eat more fruit and vegetables.

-Do not exceed alcohol limits.

-Exercise regularly.

-Learn to relax and control your stress levels.

-Take enough time to eat more slowly.

-Do not smoke.

-Get your cholesterol levels checked regularly by your GP.

For personalised advice on diet and lifestyle, please ask the doctor during your consultation.

Please be reminded that we offer free online health advice.

-> Click here to contact us using our 'Online Health Advice' Form

Case History

"The expert and caring attention received from doctors at AcuMedic since 1998 has resulted in a drop in my cholesterol level from a high of 14.2 to a much more satisfactory level currently of 8.3. This has been monitored by Dr Cox's Haematology Clinic at Golden Brookes Hospital, Cambridge, who prescribe Simvastatin. Although this was taken prior to the Chinese medicine, it did not have a significant effect until it was taken in conjunction with Chinese medicine. I cannot speak too highly of Dr Lily's care and the results of Chinese medicine."

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"I have today been for a cholesterol test to one of the private 'drop-in' centres in London. The result showed that my overall cholesterol is now 4.46 – a big improvement on my last check-up, when it was 6.4. It looks as if the herbs and teas are working!"