Thomas2060
Kava Curious
I've been consuming kava close to two years now. I had a CBC/metabolic panel for unrelated reasons about a year into use, and things were all normal. But a few months ago I had my cholesterol tested and it was extremely, dangerously high - I wrote another long post about that in this forum. I convinced the doctor to let me try to lower cholesterol on my own without statins, which I know many people dislike and can be a "life sentence" once you're on them.
Anyway, along with making a lot of other positive lifestyle changes, I decided to take an extended break from kava, because there does seem to be evidence kava can raise cholesterol. It was surely not the only thing doing that but likely a part of the puzzle. I didn't stop immediately but rather tapered off for a week or so. One valuable thing that came of this is, I realized I was using too much. I was getting a better experience from 4-5 tbsp than I was from 8 or more, which I realize now was kind of just overloading me and blunting the effects (and putting unnecessary strain on my body).
I've now been off kava for 6 weeks, along with a pretty drastically changed diet...mostly eliminating red meat and focusing more on fish and vegetarian protein sources, way less saturated fat and sodum, consuming lots of soluble fiber (fruits/veggies/nuts etc) and also taking plant sterol supplements, omega 3 and NOW Liver Refresh. Also was able to resume running after a broken toe healed so I'm now running/biking several days a week. I've already lost 5 pounds and should continue to lose weight.
Interestingly, I had an extended dermopathy flare after stopping kava. This has happened to me before when I took a break and usually resolved within several days. This time, it took about 3 weeks to calm down. This suggests my liver really was more impacted than I probably realized.
Now at the 6 week mark, I'm feeling really good and healthy. I'm starting to entertain the idea of starting kava again, but at more reasonable levels and with more frequent breaks (I'm thinking a week's break after every pound consumed). Of course I will continue all the other lifestyle changes until cholesterol is at healthy levels. After that I may not be quite as stringent and monk-like with my diet but will certainly keep healthier habits than I used to.
Do you think a break of 6 weeks from kava, along with a lot of other healthy lifestyle changes, is enough to have "reset" my liver?
Anyway, along with making a lot of other positive lifestyle changes, I decided to take an extended break from kava, because there does seem to be evidence kava can raise cholesterol. It was surely not the only thing doing that but likely a part of the puzzle. I didn't stop immediately but rather tapered off for a week or so. One valuable thing that came of this is, I realized I was using too much. I was getting a better experience from 4-5 tbsp than I was from 8 or more, which I realize now was kind of just overloading me and blunting the effects (and putting unnecessary strain on my body).
I've now been off kava for 6 weeks, along with a pretty drastically changed diet...mostly eliminating red meat and focusing more on fish and vegetarian protein sources, way less saturated fat and sodum, consuming lots of soluble fiber (fruits/veggies/nuts etc) and also taking plant sterol supplements, omega 3 and NOW Liver Refresh. Also was able to resume running after a broken toe healed so I'm now running/biking several days a week. I've already lost 5 pounds and should continue to lose weight.
Interestingly, I had an extended dermopathy flare after stopping kava. This has happened to me before when I took a break and usually resolved within several days. This time, it took about 3 weeks to calm down. This suggests my liver really was more impacted than I probably realized.
Now at the 6 week mark, I'm feeling really good and healthy. I'm starting to entertain the idea of starting kava again, but at more reasonable levels and with more frequent breaks (I'm thinking a week's break after every pound consumed). Of course I will continue all the other lifestyle changes until cholesterol is at healthy levels. After that I may not be quite as stringent and monk-like with my diet but will certainly keep healthier habits than I used to.
Do you think a break of 6 weeks from kava, along with a lot of other healthy lifestyle changes, is enough to have "reset" my liver?
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