In 2008 it was estimated that over 100 million American adults had a blood cholesterol level high enough to require medical advice. While Americans are getting more obese, the introduction of low risk cholesterol reducing drugs, like statins, have proven to lower cholesterol levels and fight heart disease.

Don’t worry; you are not out of luck. This article focuses on the actions you can take to lower your cholesterol levels and live a healthier life. After we quickly explain to you what cholesterol is we can then provide you with ways your physician can prescribe statin medications to help. Statins are not the only cholesterol reducing drug, but it is the one we will be discussing throughout this article.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance that presents itself naturally in cell walls and membranes everywhere in your body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones. Where problems arise is when there is an over abundance of cholesterol in your bloodstream.

If it seems impossible to reduce your cholesterol levels using natural treatments your doctor may resolve to having you take cholesterol reducing medications like statins. Of these medications we will be focusing on statins. Even if you begin taking statins it is imperative that you follow through with natural, lifestyle treatments as well.

What are statins and how do they work? Statins repress the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme controls the rate that cholesterol produces itself in the body. These drugs can lower cholesterol from 20 to 60%. They slow the production while they increase the liver’s ability to withdraw LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins). Statins lower the LDL levels better than any other type of drug.

Statins not only decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides, but they can also produce a moderate increase of HDL (High Density Lipoproteins). Encouraging results can usually be seen as quickly as 4 to 6 weeks after beginning use of the medication. Statins are also known to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other possible coronary illnesses.

It is not advised to take statins if any of the following pertain to you: allergies to statins themselves or their ingredients; you have a history of myopathy; you have renal failure; you consistently consume inordinate amounts of alcohol; you have liver disease; or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult your physician if you are unsure whether or not statin medications are right for you.

Lipitor, Altocor, Crestor, Zocor, Lescol, and Mevacor are all brand name statins that you might have seen or heard of before. Please make sure to be aware of certain food and/or drug interactions that may cause you harm. If you consume more than a quart of grapefruit juice per day it can actually decrease the liver’s ability to process some statins. It is more important to note however, that there are other medications that can possibly interact with the statins to cause some severe side effects.

If you are taking prescription or even over-the-counter drugs such as: birth control pills, immune system medications, medication for infections, medication for heart failure, HIV or AIDS, herbal supplements, Coumadin, or other cholesterol drugs make sure to let your doctor know before taking statins.

Side effects from statins are rare. If you experience muscle soreness, pain, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, discolored urine, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately.

Tags: heart disease prevention, heart disease in woman, woman and heart disease

Today, the number of American adults who should seek medical advice in order to reduce their high blood cholesterol levels has reached over 100 million. One medication which has limited side effects and is known to lower cholesterol levels and fight heart disease whilst Americans are continually getting larger are statins.

Despite this epidemic problem, there is good news. You can do something about the problem and that’s what this article is all about. We will take a laymen’s look at cholesterol and the statin medications that your doctor would prescribe to better your personal health. We will review the different types of statin medications available for the treatment of high cholesterol.

Problems occur when there is an imbalance of cholesterol in your body. A waxy, fat resembling substance, cholesterol naturally manifests itself in cell walls and membranes everywhere in your body. One very important use of cholesterol is to produce many hormones that your body uses daily to live a normal life.

If you aren’t able to cut down your cholesterol levels using natural remedies, your doctor may decide you need medical assistance in controlling your cholesterol. It is important that you continue with healthy lifestyle treatments also. Although there are numerous types of medications to assist in lowering your cholesterol levels, we will be focusing on statins.

It is important that you first know what statins are and how they help to reduce your cholesterol. Statins suppress HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme. HMG-CoA reductase monitors the rate that cholesterol creates itself in the body. Statins have been proven to lower cholesterol from 20% to 60%. Statins simultaneously increase the liver’s capability to withdraw Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) while slowing the production of cholesterol. There is no other drug that successfully lowers the LDL levels better than statins.

Statins not only decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides, but they can also produce a moderate increase of HDL (High Density Lipoproteins). Encouraging results can usually be seen as quickly as 4 to 6 weeks after beginning use of the medication. Statins are also known to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other possible coronary illnesses.

Taking statins is not a good idea if: you are pregnant or breastfeeding; you have liver problems; you have experienced renal failure; you regularly drink 3 or more alcoholic drinks a day; or if you have allergies to the ingredients in statins or statins themselves. As always make sure to contact your local physician before using cholesterol lowering drugs.

Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Lescol, Altocor and Mevacor are all prescription brand name statins that you might recognize. Please know of certain food and/or drug interactions that may have adverse effects. If you drink more than a quart of grapefruit juice per day it can very well decrease the liver’s ability to process some statin drugs. It is critical to know that there are other medications that you might be taking that can possibly interact with the statins to cause some weighty side effects.

If you are taking prescription or even over-the-counter drugs such as: birth control pills, immune system medications, medication for infections, medication for heart failure, HIV or AIDS, herbal supplements, Coumadin, or other cholesterol drugs make sure to let your doctor know before taking statins.

Although unlikely, it is possible for side effects to appear from the use of statins. If you happen to experience the following: vomiting, discolored urine, pain, muscle soreness, stomach pain, or weakness immediately stop taking the medication and contact your doctor.

Tags: kidney and heart disease, coronary heart disease, congenital heart disease

Matthias Rath published a study in 1996 in which 55 patients were scanned using an Ultrafast CT which measures calcium deposits in the artery walls. This was carried out over a year so the growth of the disease could be measured. Then they were given a broad spectrum supplement containing around 30 nutrients to take for a year. Scans were taken at 6 and 12 months.

At the first scan, there had been a slowdown in the growth of calcium deposits in the arteries. After the one year scan there was a large drop in the growth. In the first year before the supplements were taken the growth of arterial plaques averaged 44%. One year after taking supplements the growth had more or less stopped. For some of the patients the deposits actually reversed and even disappeared. This study demonstrated that heart disease can be reversed.

The nutritional supplement Rath designed for this study had 4 objectives. Stabilise the artery wall. Decrease muscle tumours. Neutralise stickiness of fat molecules. Provide antioxidant protection.

Artery Wall Stability

Stability of the artery walls are provided by connective tissues such as collagen and elastin. To be produced optimally requires vitamin C and the amino acids lysine and proline. Supplementation of 600mg of the former and 100mg of each of the latter are suggested per day.

Reduce muscle cell tumours

Artery muscle cells may form faulty connective tissue if they don’t receive enough vitamin C and vitamin E.

Neutralise stickiness

The most dangerous fat transport molecules are not LDL cholesterol but a variant called lipoprotein (a). Sticky protein molecules attach to LDLs and accumulate inside artery walls. One aim of nutritional therapy is to neutralise this stickiness and prevent the attachment. The 2 primary nutrients for achieving this are again lysine and proline. By forming a protective layer around lipoprotein (a), further deposition of fatty molecules in the arteries is prevented. Those already deposited can be released, reversing the disease process. Blood levels of lipoprotein (a) can be decreased with high doses of B3 (nicotinic acid) and vitamin C.

Antioxidant protection

Free radicals damage lipoproteins in the bloodstream, as well as tissue in the artery walls. A large number of nutrients and food factors have antioxidant activity and are an important part of any supplement programme.

There is a good chance of preventing further artery damage or even reversing the condition if these four objectives can be met.

Tags: heart disease symptom, reversing heart disease, prevent heart disease

Various medications are being used these days to help fight off heart disease. But these drugs have a high potential to cause serious side effects. Consequently, some patients are switching to alternative therapies to handle their heart health instead of risking the side effects of traditional medicines.

A popular alternative treatment that shows promise in helping patients to manage their heart condition, or avoid developing one, is acupuncture. Acupuncture has been used by the Chinese for centuries to enhance health and wellbeing, through the use of small needles which are inserted into appropriate locations in the body.

The basis for this practice is the movement of energy throughout the body that may become blocked. The practice of acupuncture helps to unblock and redirect that energy. And science is on the side of this practice.

Research indicates that acupuncture is able to lower blood pressure, which in turn reduces the incidence of heart disease. There has also been evidence that it can lower the risk of angina, chest pains caused by spasms of the heart’s blood vessels. Those who opted for acupuncture to treat angina returned to normal faster than those who chose a drug treatment.

Generally, acupuncture is a painless treatment because of the small size of the needles. You might not believe it, but it can actually be a soothing and restful therapy. After the needles have been inserted, you can just lie comfortably and relax.

Before choosing an acupuncturist, do a little homework to make sure of certification by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. This tells you that your acupuncturist has the training required to practice this type of medicine and continues to refresh their education.

Although some insurance companies offer coverage for acupuncture treatment, most do not, so you will most likely have to shell out for the treatment yourself. Fees can vary considerably depending on where you live. Inquire at several facilities to find out the rates before you book an appointment.

Several visits may be required before getting the results that you are seeking. But the end result may be worth it because there are no side effects such as those typically associated with drug alternatives, not to mention the expense and risk of addiction to traditional medicines.

Some people are unsure about alternative medicine therapies, but a quick look online can show you that science is beginning to come around to this ancient form of medicine. The Chinese have been practicing it for centuries, and Westerners really are the ones behind the times.

The research indicates that the ancient practice of acupuncture really does work in the modern world.

Tags: kidney and heart disease, cure for heart disease, woman and heart disease