When you're diagnosed with a disease, disorder, or deficiency, the first reaction is to put a bandaid on it. Make it better, quick! Recently, cholesterol medications have become a bandaid for high overall cholesterol and low "good" cholesterol. But is it really a good idea to jump in with pills before taking a good long look at your lifestyle?
Pills for everything
Americans especially have gotten quite good at throwing a pharmaceutical at any ache or illness that bothers them. Aspirin for headaches, antacid for heartburn, sleeping pills for insomnia. Taking medication for high cholesterol has become a standard practice, but it isn't always the answer. There are times when medication is warranted, and times when a lifestyle change is more appropriate, and the line between the two can be fuzzy.
How do the medications work?
Cholesterol lowering medications work in three main ways depending on the type of medication prescribed. Some raise the HDL, or "good" cholesterol levels, some lower the LDL, or "bad" cholesterol levels, and some work with your liver and intestines to expedite the secretion of cholesterol. Statins are the most popularly prescribed cholesterol medications and include brand names such as Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor. They interrupt the binding process of LDL particles in your bloodstream. The type of medication prescribed to you will depend on your medical history and individual cholesterol levels.
What is normal for cholesterol?
A normal total cholesterol is considered to be 200 mg/dL or less. This total number is a combination of your HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and lipoprotein(a) molecules. Each of the four components can also be measured and rated, and are a sign of how well your body is metabolizing fats, and what type of diet you have. Bad fats, smoking, and sugar can raise LDL levels and lower HDL levels. A diet high in the good fats can raise HDL levels and lower LDL levels. If you think you're doing everything right, there is another factor you can turn to. Your parents.
How do genetics play a part?
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is the technical term for higher than normal cholesterol levels that run in a family. It is actually caused by a genetic mutation that reduces your body's ability to process and remove cholesterol particles. FH is the number one reason people have a hard time controlling their cholesterol through diet and exercise alone. While this doesn't give you a free ride to eat bacon and sit around the house, it is a valid reason to think about taking a cholesterol lowering medication.
Does this mean I can still eat cheeseburgers?
When you take cholesterol lowering medications while continuing to eat those cheeseburgers, your body chemistry is constantly being pulled in two different directions. Part of it wants to use those cholesterol particles as nature intended, and the other part is trying to play by the rules of the new medication. Being on a cholesterol lowering medication shouldn't be an excuse for indulging in fatty foods. For the best possible results you need to help your body help itself, and not add to the aggravation.
Where do I start?
The first line of defense against high cholesterol should be changing your diet and fitness routine. Most minor health problems are a symptom that your body isn't getting what it needs and is getting too much of what it doesn't need. A well-balanced nutrition plan and regular exercise are the best long-term solutions for high cholesterol and other heath-related ails. When the leafy greens and treadmill aren't working, it's time to talk to your doctor about other solutions.
More cholesterol resources
- When is it time for medication?
- My original article on Helium.com.
Learn more, right here on Squidoo!
-
What Cholesterol Is and How it Works
-
Are you one of the millions of people who knows about this nasty little thing called cholesterol, but really have no idea what it is, what it does, and how it affects you? You're not alone. Read on to find out just what cholesterol is, wh...
-
What are Statin Drugs?
-
The first line of defense against high cholesterol is a healthy diet and regular exercise regiment. If those two actions fail to lower your cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe a statin-based medication to help regulate your blood cholesterol level...
-
The Dangers of Statin Drugs
-
Every action has a reaction, and the chemical effects of medications are no different. Statins, a classification of cholesterol-lowering medications, have a history of causing side effects that range from mild to severe. If you are taking a statin to...
Was this helpful?
submit
-
Reply
- ardenkaisman ardenkaisman Sep 13, 2008 @ 5:19 am
- "i am agree with you"
"The first line of defense against high cholesterol should be changing your diet and fitness routine. Most minor health problems are a symptom that your body isn't getting what it needs and is getting too much of what it doesn't need"
-
Reply
- CleanFace CleanFace Mar 19, 2008 @ 6:01 pm
- Thks for useful information. :)
-
Reply
- Tinnitus23 Tinnitus23 Feb 13, 2008 @ 11:42 am
- Great lens! Too much cholesterol is not good for you and will only give you health problems such as tinnitus.
by KimberlyDawnWells
I'm Squidoo's Community Organizer, which means my focus is on building the community: bringing in new lensmasters, developing...
(more)Explore related pages
High Cholesterol: Drugs that can raise lipids- Most of us think about taking medications to lower lipid levels and reduce our c...
Tips to Lower Cholestrol- Are you concerned about the level of cholesterol in your blood and want tips to...
Cholesterol- Cholesterol is a sterol (a combination steroid and alcohol). Cholesterol is a li...
How to lower your cholesterol naturally without medications.- It seems that everywhere you look, people are telling you that you need to lower...
Lowering Cholesterol Naturally- Do you have High Blood Cholesterol? Looking for lowering cholesterol naturally?...
- Diet Lowering Cholesterol
- It’s a simple matter for a doctor to give you a prescription for medicine...
