Statins: What they are & what they Do
Statin is the name given to a group of drugs that are used specifically for lowering LDL cholesterol.
The body contains two types of cholesterol. LDL is the dangerous type so it is commonly referred to as "bad cholesterol". The other one, (HDL cholesterol) is the good type and it has the ability to rectify much of the damage caused by LDL cholesterol Bad cholesterol is manufactured internally by the liver. It is important to many of the body's internal processes, but problems arise when the wrong kind of foods are consumed—foods like egg yolks and cheese, that contain additional cholesterol. This causes a surplus of LDL in the blood that can coat the arteries with plaque, causing them to narrow and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD can be manifest in a number of ways:
Who uses Statins?Doctors usually prescribe statins to patients that have been diagnosed with CVD, or those whose circumsances (family history etc.) increases the likelihood of CVD developing with the next 10 years.
How to use Statins to Lower Cholesterol |
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To be effective statins must be taken every day. One dose is all that is required and this should preferably be taken at the same time each day, be it at breakfast or just before going to bed. The good news is statins can very effective for lowering LDL cholesterol. The bad news is they will prpbably be needed for life and the side effects can make statin use very unpleasant for some people. This is why many people who seeking cholesterol medication without statins are often so keen to use cholesterol lowering supplements instead.
Statin Side Effects and Related Issues
It's not all doom and gloom. Some people do not experience any statin side effects at all, but for those who are not so lucky statin usage can be most unpleasant. Muscle pains and cramps are two of the most likely side effects, but for some people statins use can result in feelings of nausea, headaches, and/or upset stomachs.
Though rare, one of the most dangerous satin side effects is a condition called rhabdomyolysis. Apart from being painful, rhabdomyolysis also damages the muscle tissues. That's not good, but it gets worse. The damage can then be carried over to the kidneys because the damaged muscles release extra protein into the blood, is carried to the kidneys, and causes them to become flooded with more protein than they can process. This can lead to kidney failure and, in rare cases, even death.
Some statins can also interact badly with certain medications, and even with grapefruit juice, but despite the negative issues it must be remembered statin drugs are better than the alternative (high cholesterol). They can and do save lives. It must also be remembered that there ways to lower cholesterol without statins. Some natural alternatives can also lower cholesterol and do so without causing side effects.
Though rare, one of the most dangerous satin side effects is a condition called rhabdomyolysis. Apart from being painful, rhabdomyolysis also damages the muscle tissues. That's not good, but it gets worse. The damage can then be carried over to the kidneys because the damaged muscles release extra protein into the blood, is carried to the kidneys, and causes them to become flooded with more protein than they can process. This can lead to kidney failure and, in rare cases, even death.
Some statins can also interact badly with certain medications, and even with grapefruit juice, but despite the negative issues it must be remembered statin drugs are better than the alternative (high cholesterol). They can and do save lives. It must also be remembered that there ways to lower cholesterol without statins. Some natural alternatives can also lower cholesterol and do so without causing side effects.
Although
cholesterol lowering food supplements like Lowerol can offer s the
similar or
better benefits than statins, we strongly urge statin users to discuss
the
matter with their doctor, or other medical professional, before using
Lowerol
alongside their present medication or as a statin alternative.