High cholesterol and fatty liver, which omega-3 at 50?

Good morning. I am 50 years old and have suffered for many years from dyslipidemia (cholesterol between 260 and 300; triglycerides similarly elevated). On the advice of my doctor, as an alternative to Crestor 5 mg, I was suggested to try alternative products. I also report suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, indicated by abnormal transaminase levels. This latter problem appears resolved (transaminases normal) thanks to a supplement based on milk thistle and artichoke. Soon I will start treatment with Vitality 1000 (2 tablets daily) combined with Cardiol Forte. I would like to know the methods and timing of administration, and also ask if and how I could use EULIPID in the future. I am quite confused. Thanks. Renato

Good morning Renato,

To help you keep your cholesterol under control, Cardiol Forte is an excellent ally, while supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids can be useful for acting on blood triglyceride levels and on the fatty liver disease you mentioned. Two articles on our blog show the results of several studies conducted on this topic: you can find them by clicking here and here. But in your specific case, what omega-3 dosages are recommended?

For fatty liver disease, 2-3 grams of omega-3 per day are recommended; for contributing to the maintenance of normal blood triglyceride concentrations, a daily intake of 2 grams of EPA and DHA omega-3 is appropriate. These dosages correspond to 2-3 capsules of Meaquor, our product with the highest omega-3 EPA+DHA dosage per capsule (900 mg each). Supplementation with Meaquor can be combined with Cardiol Forte following these guidelines:

• 1 capsule of Cardiol Forte in the evening just before dinner;
• at least 2 capsules daily of Meaquor near a main meal;
• alternatively to Meaquor, you can take 2-3 capsules of Omegor Vitality 1000 daily (packs of 30 or 45 soft capsules).

Could you choose Eulipid in the future? Certainly. Eulipid is an excellent product made of only plant extracts, without fish oil. Its main active ingredient is berberine — which naturally promotes the restoration of blood cholesterol balance. In Eulipid, berberine is present at an effective dosage to help control borderline cholesterol (total cholesterol up to 239 mg/dL). But that’s not all:

• thanks to berberine, Eulipid may help control early signs of insulin resistance: it can reduce post-meal blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity;
• more generally, it is indicated as a supportive supplement in controlling manifestations related to Metabolic Syndrome (presence of multiple cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors);
• In some studies — but note, these are still unconfirmed observations — berberine has also shown potential to reduce ALT and AST levels and to reduce liver necrosis both in non-alcoholic fatty liver and in hepatitis C viral infection. However, these observations require further scientific confirmation: more specific studies will be needed.

I remain available for further information. I recommend informing your doctor of any supplementation you decide to undertake, especially if you are taking pharmacological therapies concurrently.

Best regards,

Rosaria Ramondino Pharmacist and Pharmaceutical Chemist