HIGH CHOLESTEROL ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
If you have been told you have ‘high cholesterol’ your doctor will usually have given you dietary guidelines and lifestyle modifications to follow for at least 6 weeks. If adjusting your diet and increasing your physical activity do not improve your cholesterol levels, your doctor may prescribe medicine to lower the level of cholesterol or fats in your body. These medicines are called lipid-lowering drugs because the cholesterol and other types of fat are known as lipids.
Your body needs some cholesterol and other lipids to carry out essential functions, however, too much of the bad kind of lipids can cause atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis occurs when lipids build up on the inside wall of your arteries, causing narrowing of the blood vessels, which slows the blood flow. Sometimes clots can form which block the artery completely. This has severe consequences when it happens in the coronary arteries.
The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with blood, bringing it oxygen so it can pump. If the coronary arteries become blocked, part of the heart muscle may die, causing a heart attack. If a similar problem occurs in the arteries leading to the brain, a stroke can occur. Taking lipid-lowering medicines can slow the progression of atherosclerosis.
Your body needs some cholesterol and other lipids to carry out essential functions, however, too much of the bad kind of lipids can cause atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis occurs when lipids build up on the inside wall of your arteries, causing narrowing of the blood vessels, which slows the blood flow. Sometimes clots can form which block the artery completely. This has severe consequences when it happens in the coronary arteries.
The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with blood, bringing it oxygen so it can pump. If the coronary arteries become blocked, part of the heart muscle may die, causing a heart attack. If a similar problem occurs in the arteries leading to the brain, a stroke can occur. Taking lipid-lowering medicines can slow the progression of atherosclerosis.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIPIDS
When your doctor sends you for a blood test to measure your cholesterol, the test will usually measure your total cholesterol, which is made up of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and also your triglycerides. LDL cholesterol is the so-called ‘bad’ cholesterol. The level of LDL in a person’s blood is linked to atherosclerosis and can help predict their risk of having coronary heart disease.
HDL is often called the ‘good’ cholesterol as it can actually help carry cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver, where it is processed and excreted from the body. A high proportion of HDL in your total cholesterol level may be beneficial in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
Although LDL is the main culprit in terms of risk of atherosclerosis, high levels of triglycerides in the blood are also considered to be important predictors of future coronary problems, and very high levels of triglycerides may cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
HDL is often called the ‘good’ cholesterol as it can actually help carry cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver, where it is processed and excreted from the body. A high proportion of HDL in your total cholesterol level may be beneficial in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
Although LDL is the main culprit in terms of risk of atherosclerosis, high levels of triglycerides in the blood are also considered to be important predictors of future coronary problems, and very high levels of triglycerides may cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
KEEPING YOUR CHOLESTEROL WITHIN HEALTHY LIMITS
The Heart Foundation publishes guidelines on healthy blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and your doctor will probably use these to decide whether to treat you. In addition to checking your lipid levels your doctor will examine other factors that determine your overall level of risk of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease to decide how beneficial treatment would be.
In addition to lifestyle and diet adjustments which may help keep your lipid levels in the healthy range, your doctor may prescribe medicine to help keep your lipid levels under control.
In addition to lifestyle and diet adjustments which may help keep your lipid levels in the healthy range, your doctor may prescribe medicine to help keep your lipid levels under control.
MEDICINES USED FOR LIPID LOWERING
Your doctor will make a decision on the type of medicine you should take based on the results of your blood test and which type of lipid problem you have.
STATINS
The statin class of medicines includes: atorvastatin (brand names include Lipitor, Lorstat); fluvastatin (Lescol or Vastin); pravastatin (e.g. Pravachol, Cholstat); rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (e.g. Lipex, Zocor, Simvar, Zimstat). Doctors refer to this group of medicines as the HMG CoA reductase inhibitors.
Statins work by interfering with an enzyme which the body uses to make cholesterol — this means that the body can’t make as much cholesterol as before. Statins also increase the amount of cholesterol that the liver takes up and removes from the blood.
The net result is that statins can reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol by about 20 to 55 per cent, depending on the dose and the type of statin being taken. They can also produce a small increase (5 to 15 per cent) in ‘good’ cholesterol, that is, HDL cholesterol, depending on the dose and type of statin being taken.
Your doctor will advise you how to take your statin medicine. Statins should not be used in pregnancy because of potential risk to the unborn baby — if you are a woman of childbearing age it is recommended that you use effective contraception while taking statins. People with liver disease and breast feeding women should also avoid statins.
The most common side effects of the statin drugs are mild stomach upset and headache. Statins can occasionally cause muscle pain, which, rarely, can have serious complications. So if you develop pain in your muscles or any tenderness or weakness, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor will probably want you to have regular blood tests when you start treatment with statins so that your progress can be monitored.
Statins work by interfering with an enzyme which the body uses to make cholesterol — this means that the body can’t make as much cholesterol as before. Statins also increase the amount of cholesterol that the liver takes up and removes from the blood.
The net result is that statins can reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol by about 20 to 55 per cent, depending on the dose and the type of statin being taken. They can also produce a small increase (5 to 15 per cent) in ‘good’ cholesterol, that is, HDL cholesterol, depending on the dose and type of statin being taken.
Your doctor will advise you how to take your statin medicine. Statins should not be used in pregnancy because of potential risk to the unborn baby — if you are a woman of childbearing age it is recommended that you use effective contraception while taking statins. People with liver disease and breast feeding women should also avoid statins.
The most common side effects of the statin drugs are mild stomach upset and headache. Statins can occasionally cause muscle pain, which, rarely, can have serious complications. So if you develop pain in your muscles or any tenderness or weakness, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor will probably want you to have regular blood tests when you start treatment with statins so that your progress can be monitored.
EZETIMIBE
Ezetimibe (brand name Ezetrol) is the first available medicine in a new class of cholesterol-lowering agents known as cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Ezetimibe reduces total cholesterol, LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglycerides, and increases HDL (‘good’) cholesterol.
Ezetimibe lowers cholesterol by reducing its absorption from the intestine into the bloodstream. Your doctor may prescribe ezetimibe if you are already using a statin and your cholesterol level is still raised, because taking both of these medicines together can be more effective in lowering LDL cholesterol than taking a statin alone.
Ezetimibe may also be prescribed by your doctor if statins are not suitable for you.
Ezetimibe can be taken with or without food, at any time of the day (but should be taken at about the same time each day). If you are pregnant, breast feeding or have any liver problems, ezetimibe may not be an appropriate medicine for you. As with statins, if you are taking ezetimibe and you develop muscle aches, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
There is a medicine called Vytorin which combines ezetimibe with a statin (simvastatin) in one tablet.
Ezetimibe lowers cholesterol by reducing its absorption from the intestine into the bloodstream. Your doctor may prescribe ezetimibe if you are already using a statin and your cholesterol level is still raised, because taking both of these medicines together can be more effective in lowering LDL cholesterol than taking a statin alone.
Ezetimibe may also be prescribed by your doctor if statins are not suitable for you.
Ezetimibe can be taken with or without food, at any time of the day (but should be taken at about the same time each day). If you are pregnant, breast feeding or have any liver problems, ezetimibe may not be an appropriate medicine for you. As with statins, if you are taking ezetimibe and you develop muscle aches, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
There is a medicine called Vytorin which combines ezetimibe with a statin (simvastatin) in one tablet.
CHOLESTYRAMINE AND COLESTIPOL
Cholestyramine (Questran Lite) and colestipol (Colestid granules) are known by doctors as bile-acid-binding resins. This is because they bind to bile acids in the intestine, preventing them from being reabsorbed into the body and so releasing the bile acids in the faeces. To make more bile acids, the body needs cholesterol. This results in a higher demand for cholesterol by the body, helping to reduce the blood level of cholesterol.
Cholestyramine comes in sachets of powder which need to be mixed with water, juice or other fluid. If you find it too gritty you can mix the dose and stand it in the refrigerator for 4 hours or even overnight.
Colestipol also comes as powder in sachets and needs to be mixed with water. It can be taken with or without food.
Cholestyramine comes in sachets of powder which need to be mixed with water, juice or other fluid. If you find it too gritty you can mix the dose and stand it in the refrigerator for 4 hours or even overnight.
Colestipol also comes as powder in sachets and needs to be mixed with water. It can be taken with or without food.
GEMFIBROZIL AND FENOFIBRATE
Gemfibrozil (e.g. Ausgem, Lopid, Jezil, Lipigem) and fenofibrate (Lipidil) are known to doctors as fibrates. They work mainly on reducing triglycerides in the blood, by increasing the rate that triglycerides are cleared from the blood. Fibrates can also help increase the amount of ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL cholesterol).
Gemfibrozil may be suggested by your doctor if other lipid-lowering medicines do not agree with you. Gemfibrozil is usually prescribed by your doctor when you have predominantly high triglycerides as opposed to other lipids. Gemfibrozil comes as tablets and is usually taken twice a day.
Fenofibrate (brand name Lipidil) is an alternative to gemfibrozil for the treatment of high triglycerides. Fenofibrate can also be used to lower total cholesterol. Fenofibrate tablets are usually taken once per day. You may get an upset stomach from taking gemfibrozil or fenofibrate. Fibrates are not suitable during pregnancy or for people with liver or gallbladder disease or severe kidney disease, and gemfibrozil should not be taken while breast feeding.
Gemfibrozil may be suggested by your doctor if other lipid-lowering medicines do not agree with you. Gemfibrozil is usually prescribed by your doctor when you have predominantly high triglycerides as opposed to other lipids. Gemfibrozil comes as tablets and is usually taken twice a day.
Fenofibrate (brand name Lipidil) is an alternative to gemfibrozil for the treatment of high triglycerides. Fenofibrate can also be used to lower total cholesterol. Fenofibrate tablets are usually taken once per day. You may get an upset stomach from taking gemfibrozil or fenofibrate. Fibrates are not suitable during pregnancy or for people with liver or gallbladder disease or severe kidney disease, and gemfibrozil should not be taken while breast feeding.
NICOTINIC ACID
It is not entirely clear how nicotinic acid works to lower lipid levels. However, nicotinic acid can lower LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) and triglycerides and also increases the ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). Nicotinic acid is often used where the lipid that is predominantly raised is triglyceride.
Nicotinic acid tablets are usually taken 3 times a day, with food. They may cause flushing of your face and neck, which often goes away after 2–6 weeks, but sometimes comes back if you have missed doses. See your doctor if this happens because he or she may be able to give you something to stop the flushing.
Your doctor may also want you to have some blood tests while you are taking nicotinic acid in order to monitor your progress.
If you have recently had a heart attack, if you have liver disease or if you are pregnant or breast feeding, nicotinic acid will not be suitable for you.
Nicotinic acid tablets are usually taken 3 times a day, with food. They may cause flushing of your face and neck, which often goes away after 2–6 weeks, but sometimes comes back if you have missed doses. See your doctor if this happens because he or she may be able to give you something to stop the flushing.
Your doctor may also want you to have some blood tests while you are taking nicotinic acid in order to monitor your progress.
If you have recently had a heart attack, if you have liver disease or if you are pregnant or breast feeding, nicotinic acid will not be suitable for you.
FISH OIL
Fish oil supplements can be used for lowering triglycerides and do not seem to have many side effects. Sometimes your doctor may suggest fish oil in combination with a statin or one of the other lipid-lowering medicines mentioned here. Eating fish in moderate quantities may achieve the same result as taking fish oil, so your doctor may recommend that you eat fish at least twice a week.
PLANT STEROLS
Plant sterol-enriched products, such as margarines and spreads, breakfast cereals and low-fat yoghurt or milk, are another option for lowering cholesterol — often in combination with lipid-lowering medicines. A daily intake of 2 to 3 serves of these fortified foods is the recommended amount. Eating more than this has no additional benefit.
Plant sterols may interfere with the absorption of nutrients called carotenoids, such as beta-carotene. Carotenoids seem to have anti-cancer, antioxidant and heart protective effects, so people regularly using plant sterol-enriched products should make sure that they eat orange and yellow vegetables and fruits each day to ensure they’re still getting enough carotenoids.
Plant sterols may interfere with the absorption of nutrients called carotenoids, such as beta-carotene. Carotenoids seem to have anti-cancer, antioxidant and heart protective effects, so people regularly using plant sterol-enriched products should make sure that they eat orange and yellow vegetables and fruits each day to ensure they’re still getting enough carotenoids.
COMBINATION THERAPY
Not everyone will be able to control their lipid levels with a single medicine — sometimes a combination of different medicines is needed. For example, fish oil or ezetimibe may be prescribed with statins if necessary.
If both your triglycerides and cholesterol are too high, you may be advised to take both a statin and fenofibrate. As this combination is associated with a higher risk of muscle damage than with a statin alone, your doctor will monitor you carefully and it is important that you report any muscle pains. If you can’t take statins, your doctor may suggest a combination of ezetimibe and fenofibrate.
If both your triglycerides and cholesterol are too high, you may be advised to take both a statin and fenofibrate. As this combination is associated with a higher risk of muscle damage than with a statin alone, your doctor will monitor you carefully and it is important that you report any muscle pains. If you can’t take statins, your doctor may suggest a combination of ezetimibe and fenofibrate.
TREATMENTS AND DRUGS
Lifestyle changes such as exercising and eating a healthy diet are the first line of defense against high cholesterol. But, if you've made these important lifestyle changes and your cholesterol levels remains high, your doctor may recommend medication.
The specific choice of medication or combination of medications depends on various factors, including your individual risk factors, your age, your current health and possible side effects. Common choices include:
Statins. Statins — among the most commonly prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol — block a substance your liver needs to make cholesterol. This causes your liver to remove cholesterol from your blood. Statins may also help your body reabsorb cholesterol from built-up deposits on your artery walls, potentially reversing coronary artery disease. Choices include atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor), pitavastatin (Livalo), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor).
Bile-acid-binding resins. Your liver uses cholesterol to make bile acids, a substance needed for digestion. The medications cholestyramine (Prevalite), colesevelam (Welchol) and colestipol (Colestid) lower cholesterol indirectly by binding to bile acids. This prompts your liver to use excess cholesterol to make more bile acids, which reduces the level of cholesterol in your blood.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Your small intestine absorbs the cholesterol from your diet and releases it into your bloodstream. The drug ezetimibe (Zetia) helps reduce blood cholesterol by limiting the absorption of dietary cholesterol. Zetia can be used in combination with any of the statin drugs.
Combination cholesterol absorption inhibitor and statin. The combination drug ezetimibe-simvastatin (Vytorin) decreases both absorption of dietary cholesterol in your small intestine and production of cholesterol in your liver. It's unknown whether Vytorin is more effective in reducing heart disease risk than taking simvastatin by itself.
Bile-acid-binding resins. Your liver uses cholesterol to make bile acids, a substance needed for digestion. The medications cholestyramine (Prevalite), colesevelam (Welchol) and colestipol (Colestid) lower cholesterol indirectly by binding to bile acids. This prompts your liver to use excess cholesterol to make more bile acids, which reduces the level of cholesterol in your blood.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Your small intestine absorbs the cholesterol from your diet and releases it into your bloodstream. The drug ezetimibe (Zetia) helps reduce blood cholesterol by limiting the absorption of dietary cholesterol. Zetia can be used in combination with any of the statin drugs.
Combination cholesterol absorption inhibitor and statin. The combination drug ezetimibe-simvastatin (Vytorin) decreases both absorption of dietary cholesterol in your small intestine and production of cholesterol in your liver. It's unknown whether Vytorin is more effective in reducing heart disease risk than taking simvastatin by itself.
MEDICATIONS FOR HIGH TRIGLYCERIDES
If you also have high triglycerides, your doctor may prescribe:
Fibrates. The medications fenofibrate (TriCor) and gemfibrozil (Lopid) decrease triglycerides by reducing your liver's production of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and by speeding up the removal of triglycerides from your blood. VLDL cholesterol contains mostly triglycerides.
Niacin. Niacin (Niaspan) decreases triglycerides by limiting your liver's ability to produce LDL and VLDL cholesterol. But niacin doesn't provide any additional benefit than using statins alone. Niacin has also been linked to liver damage and stroke, so most doctors now recommend it only for people who can't take statins.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements can help lower your cholesterol. You can take over-the-counter supplements, or your doctor may prescribe Lovaza, a prescription omega-3 fatty acid supplement, as a way to lower your triglycerides. These supplements may be taken with another cholesterol-lowering medication, such as a statin. If you choose to take over-the-counter supplements, get your doctor's OK first. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements could affect other medications you're taking.
Niacin. Niacin (Niaspan) decreases triglycerides by limiting your liver's ability to produce LDL and VLDL cholesterol. But niacin doesn't provide any additional benefit than using statins alone. Niacin has also been linked to liver damage and stroke, so most doctors now recommend it only for people who can't take statins.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements can help lower your cholesterol. You can take over-the-counter supplements, or your doctor may prescribe Lovaza, a prescription omega-3 fatty acid supplement, as a way to lower your triglycerides. These supplements may be taken with another cholesterol-lowering medication, such as a statin. If you choose to take over-the-counter supplements, get your doctor's OK first. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements could affect other medications you're taking.
TOLERANCE VARIES
Tolerance of medications varies from person to person. The common side effects are muscle pains, stomach pain, constipation, nausea and diarrhea. If you decide to take cholesterol medication, your doctor may recommend liver function tests to monitor the medication's effect on your liver.
CHILDREN AND CHOLESTEROL TREATMENT
Diet and exercise are the best initial treatment for children age 2 and older who have high cholesterol or who are obese. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends treatment with prescription drugs, such as statins, for children age 8 and older if a child has a high level of LDL cholesterol. However, this recommendation is controversial. The long-term effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs have not been extensively studied in children. In addition, certain cholesterol medications such as niacin are not recommended for children. Because of the disagreement in the medical community on this topic, talk to your child's doctor about the best way to lower your child's cholesterol.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
Lifestyle changes are essential to improve your cholesterol level. To bring your numbers down, lose excess weight, eat healthy foods and increase your physical activity. If you smoke, quit.
Lose extra pounds
Excess weight contributes to high cholesterol. Losing even 5 to 10 pounds can help lower total cholesterol levels. Start by taking an honest look at your eating habits and daily routine. Consider your challenges to weight loss — and ways to overcome them. Set long-term, sustainable goals.
Eat heart-healthy foods
What you eat has a direct impact on your cholesterol level. In fact, a diet rich in fiber and other cholesterol-lowering foods may help lower cholesterol as much as statin medication for some people.
Choose healthier fats. Saturated fat and trans fat raise your total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Get no more than 10 percent of your daily calories from saturated fat. Monounsaturated fat — found in olive, peanut and canola oils — is a healthier option. Almonds and walnuts are other sources of healthy fat.
Eliminate trans fats. Trans fats, which are often found in margarines and commercially baked cookies, crackers and snack cakes, are particularly bad for your cholesterol levels. Not only do trans fats increase your total LDL ("bad") cholesterol, but they also lower your HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Eliminate trans fats. Trans fats, which are often found in margarines and commercially baked cookies, crackers and snack cakes, are particularly bad for your cholesterol levels. Not only do trans fats increase your total LDL ("bad") cholesterol, but they also lower your HDL ("good") cholesterol.
You may have noticed more food labels now market their products as "trans fat-free." But don't rely only on this label. In the United States, if a food contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat a serving, it can be marked trans fat-free. It may not seem like much, but if you eat a lot of foods with a small amount of trans fat, it can add up quickly. Instead, read the ingredients list. If a food contains a partially hydrogenated oil, that's a trans fat, and you should look for an alternative.
Limit your dietary cholesterol. Aim for no more than 300 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol a day — or less than 200 mg if you have heart disease. The most concentrated sources of cholesterol include organ meats, egg yolks and whole milk products. Use lean cuts of meat, egg substitutes and skim milk instead.
Select whole grains. Various nutrients found in whole grains promote heart health. Choose whole-grain breads, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat flour and brown rice. Oatmeal and oat bran are other good choices.
Stock up on fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol. Snack on seasonal fruits. Experiment with vegetable-based casseroles, soups and stir-fries.
Eat heart-healthy fish. Some types of fish — such as cod, tuna and halibut — have less total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol than do meat and poultry. Salmon, mackerel and herring are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help promote heart health.
Drink alcohol only in moderation. Moderate use of alcohol may increase your levels of HDL cholesterol — but the benefits aren't strong enough to recommend alcohol for anyone who doesn't drink already. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation. This means no more than one drink a day for women and one to two drinks a day for men.
Select whole grains. Various nutrients found in whole grains promote heart health. Choose whole-grain breads, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat flour and brown rice. Oatmeal and oat bran are other good choices.
Stock up on fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol. Snack on seasonal fruits. Experiment with vegetable-based casseroles, soups and stir-fries.
Eat heart-healthy fish. Some types of fish — such as cod, tuna and halibut — have less total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol than do meat and poultry. Salmon, mackerel and herring are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help promote heart health.
Drink alcohol only in moderation. Moderate use of alcohol may increase your levels of HDL cholesterol — but the benefits aren't strong enough to recommend alcohol for anyone who doesn't drink already. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation. This means no more than one drink a day for women and one to two drinks a day for men.
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can help improve your cholesterol levels. With your doctor's OK, work up to 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day. Take a brisk daily walk. Ride your bike. Swim laps. To maintain your motivation, keep it fun. Find an exercise buddy or join an exercise group. And, you don't need to get all 30 to 60 minutes in one exercise session. If you can squeeze in three to six 10-minute intervals of exercise, you'll still get some cholesterol-lowering benefits.
Don't smoke
If you smoke, stop. Quitting can improve your HDL cholesterol level. And the benefits don't end there. Just 20 minutes after quitting, your blood pressure decreases. Within 24 hours, your risk of a heart attack decreases. Within one year, your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker's. Within 15 years, your risk of heart disease is similar to that of someone who's never smoked.
Alternative medicine
Few natural products have been proven to reduce cholesterol, but some might be helpful. With your doctor's OK, consider these cholesterol-lowering supplements and products:
ARTICHOKE
Barley
Beta-sitosterol (found in oral supplements and some margarines, such as Promise Activ)
Blond psyllium (found in seed husk and products such as Metamucil)
Garlic
Oat bran (found in oatmeal and whole oats)
Sitostanol (found in oral supplements and some margarines, such as Benecol)
You may have also heard of another supplement to reduce cholesterol, red yeast. Some brands of red yeast contain lovastatin, the active ingredient in the drug Mevacor. This can be unsafe, since there's no way to determine the quantity or quality of the lovastatin in the supplement.
Blond psyllium (found in seed husk and products such as Metamucil)
Garlic
Oat bran (found in oatmeal and whole oats)
Sitostanol (found in oral supplements and some margarines, such as Benecol)
You may have also heard of another supplement to reduce cholesterol, red yeast. Some brands of red yeast contain lovastatin, the active ingredient in the drug Mevacor. This can be unsafe, since there's no way to determine the quantity or quality of the lovastatin in the supplement.
If you choose to take cholesterol-lowering supplements, remember the importance of a healthy lifestyle. If your doctor prescribes medication to reduce your cholesterol, take it as directed. Make sure your doctor knows which supplements you're taking as well.
Prevention
The same heart-healthy lifestyle changes that can lower your cholesterol can help prevent you from having high cholesterol in the first place. To help prevent high cholesterol, you can:
Lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight
Quit smoking
Eat a low-fat, low-salt diet that includes many fruits, vegetables and whole grains
Exercise on most days of the week for at least 30 minutes
Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all
Quit smoking
Eat a low-fat, low-salt diet that includes many fruits, vegetables and whole grains
Exercise on most days of the week for at least 30 minutes
Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all
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