Our Guide For
High Colesterol
High colesterol is one of the most common health
problems today. People with high levels of “bad” cholesterol or low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) in their blood are more likely to develop heart disease, as
well as other conditions that may lead to stroke and heart attack. Proper diet
and exercise are the simplest ways to lower LDL levels and increase high-density
lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol. For patients with extremely high
colesterol, doctors may also recommend cholesterol-lowering medicines. Some of
the most common are:
1. Statins
Statins remove LDL deposits from the artery walls, which gradually tighten the
arteries and cause heart attacks. They also slow down the production of LDL to
prevent future buildup. Statins are ideal for people who have high colesterol
levels, but cannot exercise regularly due to medical conditions such as injury
or respiratory problems. Generic names of statins include atorvastatin,
fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin.
2. Resins
Resins are also called bile acid sequestrants. They bind bile acids in the
intestines, so that they are excreted in the stools instead of returned to the
liver. The liver is then forced to use cholesterol in the blood to produce more
bile acids. Bile acid sequestrants have moderate effects, but when combined with
statins, they can reduce cholesterol levels by up to 50%. Some common bile acid
sequestrants are cholestyramine, colesevelam, and colestipol.
3. Fibrates
Fibrates or fibric acid derivatives reduce the production of triglycerides, or
bad fats. They also increase HDL levels. There are three major types of fibrates:
clofibrate. fenofibrate, and gemfibrozil. Fibrates should not be taken by
patients who have no other problems besides high colesterol.
4. Niacin
Also called nicotinic acid, niacin is a B vitamin that lowers triglycerides and
LDL levels and increases HDL. However, it is only effective in large doses.
Niacin is non-prescription, but it can cause serious side effects when not taken
properly.
5. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors lower the amount of cholesterol absorbed by
the intestines. The most common type is ezetimibe. When used with a statin,
ezetimibe is highly effective against high colesterol.
IMPORTANT: Dietary supplements are not as strictly regulated as drugs. Many
supplements, especially herbal ones, contain additives or extenders that can be
harmful to your health or aggravste existing conditions. Common additives
include starch, gluten, sugar, and silica. To stay safe, choose only GMP-compliant
supplements to make sure they do not contain such chemicals.
A
Comprehensive Supplement
A company we personally
use called Xtend-Life natural products meets all of the above requirements and
more. Their breakthrough and
recommended cholesterol formula
contains
Policosanol along
with gugulipid, in addition to many other heart healthy nutrients.
We here at
Nutritional-Supplement-Guides have members of our family using this supplement with
remarkable results.
|
|