Cholesterol is the fatty protein in the bloodstream that is critical to many bodily functions, but can also cause health issues when too much builds up on the interior of the blood vessels. This buildup can lead to heart disease, stroke and other health issues. A number of cholesterol treatments are available though to help prevent these health problems.
Understanding Cholesterol:
The body produces two types of cholesterol. HDL, the “good" cholesterol, helps to break down and flush away fatty compounds in blood vessels. LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, is what accumulates on vessels walls, making it harder for blood to flow throughout the body. The amount of cholesterol produced is affected by a number of factors, such as smoking, obesity, poor eating choices, lack of exercise, having diabetes and a predisposition to heart disease. People can reduce their cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes, medication and natural supplements.
Changing Lifestyles To Lower Cholesterol:
The simplest way to begin lowering your cholesterol levels is to implement a healthier lifestyle that lowers the production of cholesterol naturally. If you smoke, begin a smoking cessation program. If you are overweight, get on a healthy diet that provides good nutrition to lower your caloric intake. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Eliminate trans fat and add more fish and other foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help to reduce cholesterol. Avoid foods that contain high cholesterol, such as egg yolks, red meat, whole milk and shrimp. Start an exercise program and stick to it on a regular basis. Slowly work up to 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day. Go cycling, swim laps, take long walks or workout at the gym. If necessary, break up the routine into 10-minute sessions throughout the day. Regular exercise will not only lower cholesterol levels, it will help with weight loss and cardiovascular conditioning.
Cholesterol Medications:
Statin medications are the best-known drug for lowering high cholesterol, but other pharmaceutical cholesterol treatments are also available. Atorvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin are just a few types of statin drugs. Statins work by blocking an enzyme needed to produce cholesterol and also helps to remove cholesterol from blood vessel walls. Bile-acid-binding resins are another type of anti-cholesterol medication. These drugs cause the liver to use up excess cholesterol to make more bile for digestion. Cholesterol absorption inhibitor drugs prevent the absorption of cholesterol from the foods you eat. Fibrate medications inhibit the liver’s ability to produce certain kinds of cholesterol in the body. Sometimes, these drugs are used in combination with other drugs to also help reduce trigylerides and lower cholesterol in the blood. Some people may experience side effects from these medications, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation.
Natural Supplements For Cholesterol:
If you have had a problem taking cholesterol-lowering medications, supplements that lower blood cholesterol naturally is another option. Garlic supplements can help to lower cholesterol, but may have side effects. Red yeast rice could help as well, which is a natural form of lovastatin. Also, policosanol is a compound made from sugar cane that can help to reduce cholesterol. All of these natural supplements can be found at your local health food store such as GNC or Whole Foods.