I have high liver enzymes. What is the best alternative to lower my cholesterol?

If one has high liver enzymes, then the liver is working double-time thereby making it harder for your liver to regulate cholesterol.

A couple of your liver's functions are to create more HDL (high-density lipoprotein, or "good cholesterol") and to process sugars properly. The first thing would be determining the cause(s) of the high liver enzymes - and there are many.

    Common causes of elevated liver enzymes include:

    - Side effect of medication, such as certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cholesterol medications, antibiotics or anti-seizure medications
    - Drinking alcohol
    - Obesity
    - Diabetes
    - Elevated triglycerides
    - Infection, such as viral hepatitis and mononucleosis
    - Autoimmune disorders of the liver and bile ducts, such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis or primary biliary cirrhosis
    - Metabolic liver...

Breastfeeding is becoming popular once again - and I am thankful for that on numerous accounts. I will address the pros of breastfeeding at some point soon - as I am a huge proponent for it. Both of my sons have been breastfed. Our first for 1.5 years and our second is only 5 months old so he has about another year yet.

The summary by Reuters shown below demonstrates breastfeeding reduces the risk of developing diabetes type II in the mother.

Before we get to the summary by Reuters, another breastfeeding research article points out yet another positive of breastfeeding - this time in the recipient. A breastfed individual has reduced risk of developing obesity later in life.

Yet another review shows that breastfeeding decreases the chances of longterm chronic illnesses in life for the recipient as well. The review from Pediatric clinics of North America. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2001 Feb;48(1):125-41, by Davis MK found:

"A growing body of research suggests that infant feeding practices...

Huge topic. I can write a book on this but best not yet! Two more years of med school yet and by then I'll be even more versed in how to lower cholesterol naturally.

First: What is cholesterol?
According to Stedman's Medical Dictionary, cholesterol is "the most abundant steroid in animal tissues, especially in bile and gall stones, and present in food, especially rich in animal fats, circulates in plasma complexed to proteins of various densities and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atheroma formation in arteries."

What is pathogenesis of atheroma? It is the beginning stage of atherosclerosis which is the building of lipid [cholesterol] plaques within the structure of arteries. These plaques narrow the vessel wall thereby limiting the flow of blood. Limiting the flow of blood causes turbulence which causes further deposition of plaque. The slowed speed of blood through the arteries helps lay down more plaque as well.

Ways to lower cholesterol naturally:

1. Exercise: damn. H...