Alternatives to Statins for Lowering Chlosterol

The use of statins continues to grow, as these so-called wonder drugs have shown the ability to lower cholesterol levels and prevent lockage in blood vessels. Brand names such as Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, Prvachol and Crestor have saturated the market and are often prescribed for those with cholesterol-related problems. Statins, however, are not the only options. There are several other ways to lower cholesterol.

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors can reduce the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs, according to Reader's Digest. This type of drug is fairly new on the scene and has only been approved in the United States since 2002.
  Since two organs control cholesterol in the blood, the liver (where it is produced) and the intestines (where it is absorbed), the cholesterol absorption inhibitors lower the total blood cholesterol by preventing it from being absorbed by the intestines instead of preventing it from being manufactured in the liver as a statin does.

Niacin

• Niacin is a B-complex vitamin that has known cholesterol-lowering effects. Niacin is present in many foods including meats, vegetables and fruits and is commonly found in multivitamin supplements.
  Taking niacin in higher doses to help reduce cholesterol should be done under the supervision of a doctor, according to Reader's Digest. It is necessary to take more than 100 times the recommended daily dose of niacin to get the cholesterol-lowering benefits, and it can have side effects that include flushing, liver problems, blood sugar irregularity, gout and gastrointestinal symptoms.
  Niacin works to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) by reducing its production in the liver and reduces the release of fatty acids that become triglycerides.

Bile Acid Sequestrants

• Consider using a bile acid sequestrant to lower your blood cholesterol. These drugs work by binding together bile acids (made from cholesterol in the liver) and preventing them from being absorbed in the intestines as they usually are.
  Instead, these "glued together" bile acids skip the absorption step and exit the body through the stool. This causes a drop in total cholesterol.
  This type of drug has been used for nearly half a decade and has not shown any major complications in its users. Some minor side effects such as bloating, abdominal pain, heartburn and constipation may occur.

Exercise

• Exercise is often recommended as a lifestyle change to accompany other cholesterol treatments. The reason for this is that a regular exercise regimen increases the amount of HDL (good cholesterol) and reduces the amount of LDL (bad cholesterol that causes clogged arteries).
  In addition, exercise promotes weight loss and improves circulation, both of which help with clearing build-up in the blood vessels and preventing poor cardiovascular health. For optimum health, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day are recommended.