Cholesterol Reducing Vitamins and Drugs

Cholesterol Reducing Vitamins and Drugs

The main goal in lowering cholesterol is to lower LDL and raise HDL. To lower cholesterol, have a healthy diet, exercise regularly and maintain an ideal weight. Some people may also need medication. Doctors determine your optimal level of LDL from its propensity to have heart disease.

The major risks are: age (men aged 45 years or older, women aged 55 or older), smoking, hypertension, an HDL below 40 mg / dl, family history of premature heart disease (male first-degree relative with less 55 years and female first degree relative under 65 years)

If you have 0-1 factor, the risk is low to moderate. Generally, the lifestyle is efficient in maintaining the optimal level of cholesterol

If you have two or more factors, your risk is moderate, depending on the risk you have.

Sometimes your doctor will request changes in your lifestyle, but most people also end up needing to take medication to lower cholesterol or raise HDL

If you have had heart trouble, diabetes or multiple factors, you run a high risk. Most people in that group will require a combination of drugs to lower cholesterol, and changes in lifestyle.

To reduce the risk of heart disease and keep it low, it is very important:

Control any risk factors you have, like high blood pressure and smoking.

Follow a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Maintain an ideal weight Practicing regular physical activity.

Follow the medication prescribed by your doctor.

Having an abnormally high cholesterol level can put one at risk of developing heart disease. It won't be an instant thing; heart disease can gradually develop as a person ages and as one continues to maintain a very high cholesterol level. If you plan to live well over your years, then lowering your cholesterol levels at the earliest time possible will be able to help you achieve your goal.

There are certain medications available in the market today that aim to lower cholesterol levels. They are grouped in different classes most notable of which are HMG-CoA Inhibitors or otherwise known as "statins". The drugs belonging in this group try to block the enzyme HMG-CoA, which functions as one of the steps required to convert fat into cholesterol. Statins are known to be the most effective cholesterol lowering agent to date and have become a great help to people requiring drastic reduction of their cholesterol levels.

There are also cholesterol lowering drugs called bile acid sequestrants that work by binding itself with the bile produced by the human liver. Bile is the substance that aids in the digestion system and in the absorption of fats in the intestine. Bile acid sequestrants prevent the formation of cholesterol by preventing bile acid from digesting fats.

There are also vitamins that help lower cholesterol levels. Most prominent among them is Vitamin B3 or niacin. Niacin is one of the eight water-soluble B vitamins that help the body convert carbohydrates into glucose which is used in the body for energy. The B vitamins are also important in the breakdown of body fat and protein as well as in the aid in making the nervous system, skin, eyes, hair, mouth, and liver healthy. Niacin also helps the body in getting rid of toxic and harmful chemicals.

Niacin has also been found to increase the effects of other cholesterol reducing drugs. But such an effect would only be possible if niacin is taken in large doses. But people are also warned to be careful of trying to lower their cholesterol levels by taking in large doses of Niacin. Large amounts of this B vitamin can cause flushing of the skin due to dilating blood vessels as well as other side effects such as itching, headaches, nausea and muscle cramps.

Other vitamins and substances also credited in helping the body lower its cholesterol levels is Lecithin and vitamins C and E. Lecithin works by allowing fats and cholesterol to be dispersed from the body and help prevent fatty buildup in the arteries. Vitamins C and E have also shown to help in trying to help prevent heart disease by protecting LDL cholesterol from damage. Although LDL cholesterol is also known as the "bad" cholesterol, most cardiologists believe that only damaged LDL contributes to the increasing risk of heart disease.