Innovative way to slash your lousy LDL levels
Around 33% to 36% of adults in the U.S. have a lousy LDL cholesterol level of 130 mg/dL or higher, putting them at risk for a heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and dementia. Aiming for 70 mg/dL is heart-smart. But only around 20% of patients at high risk of heart disease manage their LDL -- because they don't want to take a statin, or it didn't do the job. Now comes another solution.
The Cleveland Clinic just announced the results of a Phase 3 clinical trial that combined the approved cholesterol medication ezetimibe (brand name Zetia), which works by preventing absorption of cholesterol in your gut, with a new medication, obicetrapib, which not only lowers LDL levels, it also boosts good HDL cholesterol.
The study enlisted people who could not achieve a healthy LDL level, even when taking a statin. After three months of using the new two-drug therapy, they slashed LDL levels by almost 49%. That offers dramatic protection to high-risk folks. So, stay tuned for news about availability.
In the meantime, consider taking a multi-vitamin/mineral (half in the morning, half at night), psyllium fiber, omega-3 fatty acid supplements (900 milligrams a day), plus eating salmon and enjoying seven daily servings of different colored vegetables and fruits. Dodge heart-damaging red and processed meats and added sugars. And get 30-plus minutes of physical exercise daily, mixing up strength-building with aerobics. For anyone with familial hypercholesterolemia, at high risk of a heart attack or stroke, therapeutic plasma exchange has been shown to substantially reduce blood lipid levels.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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