There are over 100 million American adults that should seek medical advice to lower their high blood cholesterol levels. Statins, a cholesterol lowering medication which have few side effects have helped to fight heart disease and lower cholesterol levels, even though Americans are actually getting fatter.

Don’t worry; you are not out of luck. This article focuses on the actions you can take to lower your cholesterol levels and live a healthier life. After we quickly explain to you what cholesterol is we can then provide you with ways your physician can prescribe statin medications to help. Statins are not the only cholesterol reducing drug, but it is the one we will be discussing throughout this article.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance that presents itself naturally in cell walls and membranes everywhere in your body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones. Where problems arise is when there is an over abundance of cholesterol in your bloodstream.

If you aren’t able to cut down your cholesterol levels using natural remedies, your doctor may decide you need medical assistance in controlling your cholesterol. It is important that you continue with healthy lifestyle treatments also. Although there are numerous types of medications to assist in lowering your cholesterol levels, we will be focusing on statins.

It is important that you first know what statins are and how they help to reduce your cholesterol. Statins suppress HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme. HMG-CoA reductase monitors the rate that cholesterol creates itself in the body. Statins have been proven to lower cholesterol from 20% to 60%. Statins simultaneously increase the liver’s capability to withdraw Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) while slowing the production of cholesterol. There is no other drug that successfully lowers the LDL levels better than statins.

While decreasing triglycerides and total cholesterol, statins can also create a moderate increase of High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). Within 4 to 6 weeks of starting the medications positive results are normally seen. Lowering heart attack risks, strokes, and other high cholesterol level related coronary diseases are what statins have been demonstrated to do.

Taking statins is not a good idea if: you are pregnant or breastfeeding; you have liver problems; you have experienced renal failure; you regularly drink 3 or more alcoholic drinks a day; or if you have allergies to the ingredients in statins or statins themselves. As always make sure to contact your local physician before using cholesterol lowering drugs.

Brand names of statins that you might recognize are Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Altocor, Pravahol, Zocor and Crestor. There are some drug and/or food interactions that you should be aware of. More than one quart of grapefruit juice per day can decrease the ability of the liver to process some statins. More importantly there may be other medications that can interact and cause serious side effects.

If you are taking prescription drugs or even OTC drugs such as: herbal supplements; medications for infections, immune system, heart failure, HIV or AIDS; birth control pills; Coumadin; or other cholesterol reducing drugs make sure to inform your doctor prior to using statins.

Although very rare, it is possible for side effects to surface from the use of statins. If you happen to experience vomiting, discolored urine, pain, muscle soreness,stomach pain, or weakness immediately discontinue the use of the medication and contact your physician.

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