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The first type of cholesterol is the HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins), the good cholesterol that your body requires. Taking less high-fat food is the basic controlling factor in following a low cholesterol diet plan. A good cholesterol lowering diet is one low in saturated fat and sodium. Alcohol is another contributing factor to the levels of HDL cholesterol. Many people have their cholesterol levels tested and are given a numerical result, and based on that result, they are considered to have normal or low cholesterol, borderline cholesterol, or high cholesterol. It seems that current lifestyle choices of fast food and microwave meals are contributing factors to this ever-growing problem.


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Being fatty in nature prevents this cholesterol from combining well with the watery content of the blood stream. As always, these drugs should only be taken under the close supervision of your doctor. You cannot help it if you are a male and by default fall into the high category of bad cholesterol; you cannot help it if you are growing old and slowly building up cholesterol because of your increasing age; and lastly, you cannot help it if you carry the bad cholesterol genes causing the liver to produce more than the required amount of cholesterol. Testing for LDL cholesterol is a laboratory procedure that requires the drawing of a blood sample. Many people take a cholesterol drug in order to simply maintain a required level and not because they have a problem. Saturated fat sources (which need to be avoided) include animal products like meats, whole milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, coconut fat, cream etc.

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Using Cholesterol Lowering Medication


While diet and exercise remain the major checks on high cholesterol levels, cholesterol lowering medication is prescribed in many cases, usually in combination with dieting and physical activity. Cholesterol in blood is in the form of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides. The goal of using cholesterol lowering medication is to reduce the concentration of LDL, since it is the most harmful of cholesterol types; also to decrease triglycerides, and to maintain or increase HDL as it works to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

Several drugs are, in common practice, used as cholesterol lowering medication. Some important names among these are fibrates, statins, nicotinic acid, and bile acid sequestrants.

Fibrates

Fibrates act effectively by lowering the level of triglycerides and, to some degree, boosting HDL level. However, these drugs are not targeted at lowering the concentration of LDL. Studies reveal that most of the fibrates-users with heart diseases face a lower risk of heart attack. Gemfibrozil is the best known fibrate in the US.

Dosage of fibrates includes two doses daily. Fibrates do not have many side effects, though some gastric and intestinal problems have been reported. Further, fibrates can intensify the action of medicines that work by thinning the blood (prescribed mostly for high blood pressure).

Statins

Statins are the most effective type of cholesterol lowering medication when it comes to lowering the LDL in blood. Hence, these are the drugs most often prescribed to patients of cardiovascular diseases who suffer severe heart problems. Statins slow down the production of cholesterol and help the liver more efficiently remove the LDL present in the blood.

What makes them ideal for treating patients is the fact that statins also bring down the concentration of triglycerides and in addition boost the HDL in blood. Important statins include lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, and atorvastatin. Statins are administered one dose daily, preferably in the evening. Except minor digestive disorders, statins have no serious adverse effects.

Nicotinic Acid

The principal constituent of nicotinic acid is niacin, a type of vitamin B, which reduces triglycerides and LDL while boosting HDL part of the cholesterol. This makes it an effective cholesterol lowering medication. In addition, it is a relatively inexpensive drug, usually available without a physicians prescription. However, it is not at all wise to use it since it carries side effects (hot flashes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea etc.). It also tends to increase blood sugar and therefore is not suggested to be used by diabetics.

Bile Acid Sequestrants

Bile acid sequestrants act by lowering LDL up to 20 %. These can be used in combination with a stain (if prescribed). Main types of bile acid sequestrants prescribed are cholestyramine, colestipol, and colesevelam. Intake of these drugs includes mixing with water or fruit juice and taken once or twice daily. Bile acid sequestrants might interfere with the proper absorption of other medicines being used.