By Tedler D. Depaynos, MD
My friend is an executive of a government corporation and it was nearly a year since we last met. He was then complaining of slight on and off chest pains and his cardiologist warned him of excessive “cholesterol” lining his cardiovascular blood vessels reducing their lumen and hence the blood supply. With decreased blood supply, oxygenation is also reduced causing cardiac ischemia, hence cardiac pains especially during times of severe exertion when the oxygen requirement is increased. This is how his cardiologist explained his condition to him and even warned him of possible by-pass surgery if his complaints of chest pains worsened.
His “cholesterol, triglycerides and lipids levels” were extremely elevated and his MD prescribed him lots of medicines and according to him he has to take a handful of tablets and capsules twice a day. Of course other medications for hypertension, cardiac ischemia, diabetis mellitus etc. were also prescribed.
To lessen his tension, he thought of taking a vacation abroad where his children and wife were working. He brought with him months of supply of his medicines but when he extended his vacation, his supply ran out. He tried consulting the foreign MDs but his appointment would still be the following month and because he had no insurance, it was too expensive for him.
Out of curiosity, he started researching the internet and he found out an “anti-cholesterol concoction” which he patiently insisted on lecturing to me despite my repeated alibis of the need to be comforted because of a prostatic problem. He described it to be made up of slices of “garlic” and “ginger” with spices of “lemon” and “calamanci”. A half glass each of “apple cyder” and “honey” are then added and this is supposed to control “cholesterol”, “triglycerides,” etc., levels. Because of no medicines, he faithfully took this concoction daily for months on an empty stomach even when he came home from vacation. He insisted that it was effective for when he had his blood examinations, the results were greatly reduced and he no longer had his cardiac complaints. He even decided not to return to his cardiologist anymore!
Actually, he was not the first one to mention this “anti-cholesterol concoction” to me. A very successful hotelier and a prominent practicing lawyer who is an occasional coffee mate initially described the “concoction” earlier on separate occasions. Both were also proud of the results especially the relief of their subjective complaints of chest pains and high blood pressure. On retrospect, what was very impressive was their self-discipline especially with their diet. The daily intake of their “concoctions” reminded them of their strict fat abstinence.
I had to admit my ignorance with regards to the “concoctions” but I was glad that they experienced good results. I suggested however that they consult even other cardiologists for work-up just to confirm their conclusions so there will be no regrets in the future. Besides they may have other concomitant diseases that are thought to respond to their “concoctions” but actually their manifestations are just covered-up because the “concoctions” are just making them feel good.**
