Lowering Cholesterol to Safe Levels
Cholesterol is necessary for nerve insulation, hormone production and cell formation, but when the body takes in more cholesterol than is needed through dietary sources, cholesterol medication may be necessary to return levels to normal. Too much cholesterol can lead to coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular problems. Cholesterol medications work by lowering levels of cholesterol in the body to a safe level, either by blocking dietary sources of cholesterol or by preventing absorption of high levels of cholesterol produced by the liver. In order to be fully effective, cholesterol medications should be used in conjunction with dietary changes.
Reducing Bad Cholesterol and Raising Good Cholesterol
Statins, which are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol medication, work by blocking the production of cholesterol in the liver. These medications lower LDL, which is the bad form of cholesterol, and raise HDL, the good cholesterol. They also work by lowering triglycerides but may result in side effects such as liver damage, intestinal problems and muscle tenderness.
Two other medications, nicotinic acid and fibrates, work in a manner similar to statins. Nicotinic acid is actually niacin, or vitamin B3, and can be found in a variety of foods. It is available in high-dose form as a prescription medication, and it works by lowering LDL cholesterol and raising HDL cholesterol. Fibrates lower cholesterol levels by reducing triglyceride production and increasing HDL cholesterol. Fibrate medications also lower LDL levels and raise HDL level by as much as 20 percent.
Bile Blocking and Binding
Bile acid resins reduce cholesterol in a different manner than statins, and work inside the body's intestines by binding to bile and preventing its reabsorption into the bloodstream. Bile, which is made mainly of cholesterol, can have a significant effect on blood cholesterol levels. Bile acid resins are not effective at reducing triglycerides, and in some cases may even cause triglycerides levels to rise. Ezetimibe, a new class of cholesterol medication, lowers LDL cholesterol by stopping intestinal absorption. Ezetimibe is an absorption inhibitor that is typically used in conjunction with a statin medication for optimum effectiveness. Ezetimibe does not generally alter triglycerides.
Tags: cholesterol medication, acid resins, Bile acid, Bile acid resins, cholesterol levels