Plaque is the stuff of coronary heart disease. It is CONTROLLABLE, it is STOPPABLE, it is REVERSIBLE.
But you must be equipped with the right information on diet, nutritional supplements, and hopefully the avoidance of medication.
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That’s it: I will NEVER ever write another prescription for Lovaza.
I actually very rarely write a prescription for Lovaza, i.e., prescription fish oil. But this was the last straw.
I advised a patient that we’ve had good success using high-doses of fish oil to reduce lipoprotein(a), Lp(a). 6000 mg per day of the omega-3 component (EPA + DHA) from fish oil reduces Lp(a) in 60% of people after one year. (Recall that Lp(a) is the most aggressive known lipid-related cause of heart disease.)
The two preparations I generally suggest are either the very affordable Sam’s Club Members Mark Triple-Strength Fish Oil with 900 mg EPA + DHA per capsule: 7 capsules per day. Another great product (my personal favorite because of its extreme purity–it doesn’t even smell like fish oil): Pharmax Finest Pure Fish Oil with 1800 mg EPA + DHA per teaspoon: 3 to 3 1/2 teaspoons per day.
Both preparations work great and are quite affordable, given the high dose. For the Sam’s Club preparation, it will cost around $30 per month, while the Pharmax liquid will run around $49 per month.
Well, the woman’s husband insisted on a prescription for Lovaza. One Lovaza capsule contains 784 mg EPA + DHA per capsule: 7 to 8 capsules per day.
Here are some prices for Lovaza from online pharmacy discounters:
Prescription Giant: $78.99 for 30 capsules ($2.63 per capsule)
Planet Drugs Direct: $135 for 100 capsules ($1.35 per capsule)
These are lower than the prices I obtained in past by calling local pharmacies in my area, quite a bit lower, in fact.
Filling the Lovaza prescription at Prescription Giant will therefore cost $552.93 to $631.92 per month; at Planet Drugs Direct it will cost $283.50 to $324.00 per month. At local pharmacies, a similar 7 to 9 capsules Lovaza per day will cost upwards of $800 to $900 per month.
The patient’s husband insisted on the Lovaza prescription because he knew that his insurance would cover it. When I pointed out that this was a large cost that would have to be borne by others in their healthcare premiums, he said that didn’t matter to him.
I hesitated, but ended up writing the prescription for 7 Lovaza capsules per day. As soon as I handed to him, I regretted it. In fact, I am embarassed and angry at myself for having given in.
So I vowed: I will NEVER EVER write another prescription for Lovaza.
I do not believe that we should spread the excessive profiteering of the pharmaceutical industry around on the backs of people who pay their healthcare insurance premiums, just so that a few people, like this selfish couple, can save a few dollars a month.
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Some people are worry on too much intake of fish oils. Indeed if you swallow standard fishoils with low levels of EPA/DHA as most US products you may swallow also a lot of saturated fats. Go for 1 softgel a day a softgel tahts provide you almost 1 g Omega-3 or a minimum as 820 mg EPA+DHA per softgel. a lot of brands having high levels of pcb's.(see http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/02/health/main6259938.shtml ) be also a ware when mention "per serving" could be 2 to 4 or more softels a day. Avoid liquid oils as they oxidize fast, as well I'm not in favor of codliver oils as too low on EPA and DHA and to high on vitamin A when taking 500 mg EPA/DHA.
THANK YOU!! For taking a stand where many in your profession will not. We need more of this!
Even the traditional medical community is finally realizing that the omega 3s in fish oil provide some of the best natural health benefits on the planet. Worldwide, the omega 3 supplement market is in the billions of dollars. The drug companies want a piece of the action.
Great insights about how we can have a healthy lifestyle.Omega 3 is good for the heart that's why many people are eating foods rich in Lycopene.
Vitacost.com has their own brand of fish oil, NSI Mega EFA® Omega-3 EPA & DHA. At 6000mg EPA/DHA a day (10 capsules) in a 240 cap container for $22, that comes out to be $27.50 per month. And they often have 10% off sales, like right now till 10/31/10. My personal experience with them has been good, their NSI brand has been high quality, and I rarely find a better price elsewhere. I'm currently taking 6000mg EPA/DHA daily.