Pharmaceutical medications that lower the levels of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) in your body are called statins. These include Lipitor, Zocor, Levacor and more. Statins lower cholesterol by interfering with the production of cholesterol in your liver. They lower LDL levels and raise good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) levels and prevent fats from accumulating in the walls of your arteries. Like all medications, statins can cause side effects including rashes, muscle pain, digestive problems and liver damage. By employing a few strategies, you can effectively flush out the remnants of statins from your body.
Eat foods rich in antioxidants such as tomatoes, cranberries, broccoli and garlic every day. Antioxidants can help your body flush out traces of statins in your body. You can also take an antioxidant-rich supplement such as astragalus herb tablets. The recommended dosage for astragalus supplement is one 500-mg tablet once a day.
Consume milk thistle herb in tablet form to help flush out statins. Milk thistle contains a phytochemical called silymarin, which may detoxify and strengthen your liver so it can effectively flush out the remnants of statin drugs. Take one 175-mg milk thistle tablet two times daily.
Eat one to two servings of artichokes on a daily basis. This vegetable contains a powerful phytochemical called cynarin that may strengthen and protect your liver to help eliminate the remnants of statins from your body.
Take dandelion flowers in capsule form to help flush out the remnants of statins. The dandelion flower includes a potent compound called inulin that helps your liver flush out the remnants of statins from your system. It may also encourage liver cell regeneration. The safe and recommended dosage of dandelion flower supplement is one 750-mg capsule taken twice a day.
Consume clean drinking water every day. Drinking enough water can help strengthen your liver and kidneys so they can effectively flush out the remnants of the statins you take. Consuming water will also help move vital nutrients around in your blood, cool your body and flush out waste products and disease-causing microorganisms.
Warning
Consult your doctor before embarking on self-detoxification methods.
References
- "Medical Diagnosis and Treatment," Stephen J. McPhee, MD, Publisher: McGraw-Hill 2006
- The Complete Guide To Herbal Medicines; Juan R. Avila and Charles W. Fetrow; Aug 29, 2000
- Mayo Clinic: Side effects of Statins
Writer Bio
Frank Dioso is a trained medical technologist working for prominent research institutions such as Quest Diagnostics and California Clinical Trials. He has, for many years, ghostwritten clinical trial reports for confidential pharmaceutical drugs and is currently contributing his clinical laboratory science knowledge to online how-to articles.