Both nontreponemal tests, Rapid Plasma Reagin test (RPR) and Venereal Disease Laboratory test (VDRL), are not definitive tests for syphilis and may have a false positive result due to other medical conditions such as viral infections (measles, hepatitis), pregnancy, and some autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Crandall recommends the following steps to lower cholesterol without drugs: 1. Change your diet. A plant-based diet, which includes large amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, along with meat substitutes like beans, lowers cholesterol naturally. 2. Take a plant sterols supplement.
Walnuts. It may seem counterintuitive, but eating more fats can actually lower your cholesterol levels. Monounsaturated fats help lower LDL cholesterol. They are also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower the level of triglycerides in your body. This lowers the fat in your blood stream and can prevent plaque buildup in your arteries. Studies have shown that eating just a handful of walnuts every day can lower your LDL cholesterol levels by 10%.