| Eating a good balance of different types of | | | | proves extremely effective at maintaining low |
| foods and exercising have long been | | | | levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides |
| recommended for keeping our cholesterol | | | | in people who have had a heart attack and |
| levels in check. High levels of cholesterol | | | | significantly lowers the chances of them |
| have been linked to heart disease. When these | | | | having another. Statin also works to increase |
| measures alone are not sufficiently | | | | the amount of HDL cholesterol in the body and |
| maintaining the cholesterol levels then | | | | any side effects are minor. |
| cholesterol medications may be required. If | | | | |
| you need to take these then it is important | | | | Nicotinic acid, or niacin, is probably better |
| that you are aware of what these cholesterol | | | | known as vitamin B. This nutrient can be |
| medications are and how they work. | | | | supplied by eating a healthy diet but |
| | | | additional amounts in cholesterol medication |
| All forms of cholesterol medication work in a | | | | have proved effective in raising the HDL |
| similar manner. In our blood we have a | | | | cholesterol levels in the body. |
| mixture of lipids, including LDL, HDL and | | | | |
| triglycerides. LDL is actually the form of | | | | In cases where the triglyceride levels in the |
| cholesterol that we need to reduce. HDL | | | | blood are too high fibric acid derivatives or |
| cholesterol, on the other hand, can be | | | | fibrates are extremely effective at reducing |
| classed as a beneficial form of cholesterol | | | | them. This type of cholesterol medication |
| that the body needs to function properly. The | | | | works by lowering the amount of VLDL, a form |
| cholesterol medications all work to reduce | | | | of LDL cholesterol high in triglycerides, in |
| the levels of LDL and triglycerides in the | | | | the liver. This VLDL has been linked to |
| blood and, in some cases, raise the levels of | | | | pancreatitis as well as different forms of |
| HDL. | | | | coronary heart disease. |
| | | | |
| The main types of cholesterol medications are | | | | The other type of cholesterol medication that |
| HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, such as statin, | | | | is effective at reducing the LDL levels is |
| nicotinic acid or niacin, fibric acid | | | | bile acid sequestrants. The liver uses |
| derivatives or fibrates and bile acid | | | | cholesterol to create bile acids. The bile |
| sequestants. The effects that each of these | | | | acid sequestrants actually work by preventing |
| cholesterol medications has on the body | | | | the return of these bile acids from the |
| varies and each one is specifically designed | | | | intestines to the liver. The liver therefore |
| to address the cholesterol and triglyceride | | | | makes more bile acids and the LDL cholesterol |
| levels that are in the blood and those that | | | | level is lowered. Often statin or niacin is |
| are absorbed by the body. One is best for one | | | | taken in conjunction with bile acid |
| person who needs to lower both their LDL and | | | | sequestrants to achieve the overall levels |
| triglyceride levels is not going to be | | | | required. |
| effective for someone who requires their | | | | |
| levels of HDL to be increased. It is | | | | According to the National Cholesterol |
| important to be sure that you are taking the | | | | Education Program, there are over 9 million |
| right one. | | | | Americans who are taking cholesterol |
| | | | medication. While these drugs can be |
| Statin has been shown to be the most | | | | extremely effective it is also important that |
| successful of the cholesterol medications in | | | | people are far more aware of the importance |
| reducing the amount of LDL that a person has | | | | of eating a balanced diet and taking regular |
| in their body as it inhibits the HMG CoA | | | | exercise. |
| reductase. This is responsible for creating | | | | |
| cholesterol in the body. Statin is most | | | | Disclaimer: The information above should not |
| frequently prescribed in patients who are at | | | | be interpreted as medical advice. Please talk |
| greater risk of heart disease and strokes. | | | | to a qualified professional for more |
| There is medical evidence that statin also | | | | information about cholesterol. |