Devonviolet Acres

[Bruce]

Is that you pouring the cream??

 

[Devonviolet]

I had to do some reading about Ubiquinol as it may be something I want to try.

I think it is amazing stuff. I was having chest pressure (not really chest pain, but pressure), shortness of breath, weakness down both arms & light headedness.

At the recommendation of my doctor I went to a conventional Cardiologist. She wanted to do a nuclear stress test and a CT scan with dye, even though I told her I have MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity) and had an anaphylactic reaction to CT dye. GRRR! She went ahead & scheduled the tests anyway.

I was upset, but accepted the appointment card. I went home & thought about it and got even angrier! The next day I called & cancelled the tests and followup visit.

After a lot of soul searching/prayer and online research, I learned about Dr. Peter Langsjoen, in Tyler, I called my insurance company, found out that he was "in-network", and scheduled an appointment with him. He is about 1-1/4 hours South of us.

Dr. Langsjoen did an Echocardiogram (no drugs or chemicals ), and determined that my heart muscle was stiffening in the resting phase, which likely caused all of my symptoms.

He tested my CoQ10 levels, and they were low, so he put me on 100mg Ubiquinol twice daily. It took a while to see results, but after 5 months the symptoms were gone and my BP was down to normal.

If you want some good info on Ubiquinol, check out this site:

https://ubiquinol.org/blog/how-ubiquinol-affects-our-biological-systems

 

[Devonviolet]

Is that you pouring the cream??

 

[babsbag]

I may have to look up Ubiquinol for my DH.

Let me know how the cheese comes out and what you were doing differently to make it not form a curd. The composition of milk changes during lactation and sometimes that can mess with curd formation. Last year when I was milking every other day I couldn't get a curd to form when making Feta, I'm sure it was the composition of the milk that was the problem.

 

[Devonviolet]

I may have to look up Ubiquinol for my DH.

Let me know how the cheese comes out and what you were doing differently to make it not form a curd. The composition of milk changes during lactation and sometimes that can mess with curd formation. Last year when I was milking every other day I couldn't get a curd to form when making Feta, I'm sure it was the composition of the milk that was the problem.

It's amazing how many people, these days, who take statins, to lower cholesterol. Research has shown that statins may lower cholesterol, but don't significantly lower risk of a cardiovascular event. The biggest problem with statins, is that they greatly decrease CoQ10 in the heart muscle and that increases the risk of heart attack.

I, personally, will never take statins, and never eat mushrooms, because they have a "natural" statin. There are other foods, but I would have to look that up.

I have always had high cholesterol. It runs in my family. In fact, all of my siblings and both my children have high cholesterol. I have always had hypo-thyroid. Once my doctor increased my thyroid medication, to the right level, my cholesterol numbers went into the "normal" range.

Anyway, if you know anyone who is taking statins, encourage them to take Ubiquinol, to lower their risk of having a heart attack. Also, there are two forms of CoQ10: Ubiquinol and Ubiquinone. The one that is most effective at keeping CoQ10 levels up, is UBIQUINOL! My Cardiologist insists that I take that form.

I did make the Mozzarella last night, and it did form a curd! Although, I have to admit this batch, I only used one gallon of older milk, because I didn't want to waste fresh milk, if it wasn't going to work again.

When I added the citric acid, in water, it started forming curd almost immediately. It did that in the beginning, when I first started making Mozzarella. But the last 6 or so batches it has only formed little small bits of curd, in e milk. I have been able to add the rennet and get the gel to form. But the last 3 batches it didn't form the gel.

So, when I added the rennet, this time, I barely stirred it. It didn't give me a nice gel, with a clean break. But, the curds did stick together better. It didn't start stretching until I put it in the microwave, for the first minute. Then, it got NICE and stretchy!!!

I'm not sure if it was because this was older milk. Last night I found a cool site,

www.Curd-Nerd.com

from New Zealand. The lady there said, failure to form curd, could be caused by lower calcium, which can happen with goat milk. She suggested adding calcium chloride. Maybe lower calcium levels could be related to being later in the season, as you suggested.

Until I figure out what is going on, I'm going to go back to one gallon batches, and I'm going to try adding calcium chloride.

 

[Devonviolet]

One more thing about Ubiquinol, most conventional doctors are not aware of how effective it is at helping the heart function properly, and do not think it is important, as part of a cardiac protocol. So, they either will say it isn't necessary, or at the least will say, you can take it, but it won't change anything. Dr. Langsjoen and his father, who is no longer alive, have done a LOT of research and found that it DOES make a difference.

There is also research, that shows it is also helpful with congestive heart failure (CHF), at a dose of 200mg twice daily. I have a friend with CHF, and her doctors aren't helping her at all. I suggested she ask about taking Ubiquinol. They said it wouldn't help, but if she wanted to try it "for a month" she could. REALLY????? One month isn't enough to tell anything with this kind of therapy. So, I finally convinced my friend to try it for six months. She is only in month two, so we shall see if it helps. She has had CHF for several years now, so it may take longer to see improvement.

 

[babsbag]

When DH did his little stay in the hospital a few months ago they diagnosed him with the beginning stages of CHF and they also mentioned a stiff heart. I am sure that he is on statins too as he has cholesterol and high BP. I remember hearing the other day that high cholesterol can also be caused by consuming a lot of refined carbohydrates and since he is a diabetic you can be sure that those were always high in his diet. I will definitely get him some of this.

Glad that the cheese turned out. I am sure that is the older milk, that will make a difference and is often suggested for the 30 min. mozz. And yes, calcium levels change later in lactation. There is a great book "Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking" by Gianiclis Caldwell, if you really get curious about how cheese works.

 

[Mike CHS]

I let my old doctor talk me into taking statins. In fact, I tried 4 different kind because of the side affects. You can look at a list of side affects and I pretty much had them all. I literally think it was causing my body to start shutting down I was so weak that even the slightest strenuous activity would cause dizziness and even vertigo so after about a year of that I got off of them. It took almost a year for me to get my strength back.

I'll also try the Ubiquinol.

 

[Baymule]

My husband was taking the generic of Lipitor. He was losing his memory. BAD losing his memory. I found out that a side effect of statins was memory loss. We made an appointment with his cardiologist pronto and DH came off the statin. His memory improved almost immediately, but it took a long time for him to recover from the statin.

 

[Devonviolet]

I remember hearing the other day that high cholesterol can also be caused by consuming a lot of refined carbohydrates and since he is a diabetic you can be sure that those were always high in his diet. I will definitely get him

Wow! It sounds like your DH is a prime candidate for Ubiquinol. The last time I saw Dr. Langsjoen, I asked him about my friend's CHF. Since he only sees patients face to face (and she lives in PA), he suggested that she take 200mg twice daily. No more than 400mg daily. He even said he would consult with her Cardiologist. But, her doc had no interest in consulting with Dr. Langsjoen.

As far as high cholesterol and Diabetes, elevated triglycerides is usually the case. increased risk of stroke, heart attack and in the case of higher triglyceride levels, pancreatitis (or inflamed pancreas).

From what I can find in a medical journal, that I belong to, statins do not help high triglycerides. Here is something I found in an article there:

"For the patient with moderately elevated triglycerides, say 150 mg/dL, lifestyle modification—diet, exercise, limiting alcohol intake, controlling existing diabetes, among other things—is first and foremost."

I might also add limiting most carbs, including all desserts, bread, rice, potatoes, all cereals, and most fruits (like grapes, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc. -- when ingested they immediately turn to sugar in the blood.)

Small amounts of high fiber carbs, like heavy, whole grain breads, and high fiber fruits, (like blackberries & raspberries) can be eaten in limited amounts. The important thing for a diabetic to aim for is a glucose reading of 110 mg/dL or less. I know most doctors say 130 or less. But a glucose of 130 will cause the Hbg A1C to go up, somewhat, and will also increase triglyceride levels, somewhat.

BTW, a little known fact, is that artificial sweeteners are not good for diabetics, as they can raise glucose levels. Besides that, artificial sweeteners aren't good for anyone. Studies have shown they can cause cancer and mess with the metabolism, when dieting to lose weight. I can't eat them anyway, because they cause severe migraines & agitation.

Babs, I hope the Ubiquinol helps your DH! Keep in mind it takes time to see results. So, you should give it 5 or 6 months.

When we can't get the Qunol at Costco, we buy it on Amazon - 100mg, 120 capsules for $31.69, with free shipping.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/B005CGA9EY/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Another fact unknown by many non-medical persons, is that elevated triglycerides are basically a sticky fat, that leads to athlerosclerosis, which causes clogged arteries.

My sister (who is diabetic) recently had a heart attack. When she was in the hospital, they found 2 of the 4 main arteries, in her heart were blocked. One was a partial block, which they were able to clear & put a stent in. The other was 100% blocked. The doctor wanted to do a bypass, but she refused it. So, the doctor said they would try statins (against my wishes. ), and see if it opens up in six months, so they can put a stent in.

If it was me, I wouldn't agree to have open heart surgery, in any hospital, in this country. The risk of nosocomial (hospital acquired antibiotic resistant infection) is just too high, for me to take that risk. In my way of thinking, having 4 major arteries clear, is ideal. But, many people survive just fine, by being careful, with 3 major arteries. If it was me, I would weigh the risks & reject the option to have open heart surgery.