|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutrition

The Best Statin for Reducing Cholesterol

The best statin for reducing cholesterol is the one that will best decrease your level of harmful cholesterol, known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein). Some statins are pharmaceutically produced, others are nature-produced. Each patient is different, so the best statin for one person might not be the best for another. The decision is made between you and your medical care provider.

  1. Naturally Occurring Statin

    • Red rice yeast is a popular naturally occurring statin. Red yeast rice dates back to 800 A.D. in China. In traditional Chinese medicine, red rice was used for things such as eliminating blood blockages and increasing circulation. Red rice contains naturally occurring monacolins. In the United States, red rice has been used since 1970 as a holistic method of lowering cholesterol, according to the Annals of Internal Medicine.

      Know the side effects. They can be similar to those from the prescription drug lovastatin, says the FDA. That includes headaches, liver dysfunction and digestive disorders. If you are taking lovastatin you are advised against using red yeast rice, according to the National Institutes of Health.

      Red yeast rice costs less than a pharmaceutical statin. It can be purchased over the counter in natural-foods stores and in nutritional-aids sections of other stores.

      According to the FDA, red yeast rice isn't a drug. Because it is not classified as a drug, it is not regulated or reviewed.

    Pharmaceutically Produced Statins

    • Regulated statins are produced by the pharmaceutical industry. Popular ones include Lipitor (atorvastatin), lovastatin (Mevacor), Pravachol (pravastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin) and Zocor (simvastatin), according to the Mayo Clinic. The best statin for reducing cholesterol will contain consistent amounts of ingredients, regardless of the manufacturer.

      You will be prescribed an effective dosage depending upon your LDL level and family history, physical activity, weight, HDL level, ailments, age and lifestyle factors such as smoking.

    Health Benefits

    • Statins can provide numerous health benefits, including:

      - Decreased heart attack risk. Statins can help stabilize your blood vessel linings because they contain anti-inflammatory properties, the Mayo Clinic says. This can make cholesterol plaque less likely to rupture, so it reduces your chances of a heart attack.

      - Less blood vessel constriction. Your blood vessels will be relaxed while you're on statins. This helps lower your blood pressure.

      - Reduced risk of developing blood clots. That's because statins have blood-thinning properties.

    Caution

    • Liver damage can be a potentially serious side effect of statins. Common side effects of statins include muscle and joint pain, nausea, diarrhea and constipation. Patients usually take statins the rest of their lives.

Nutrition - Related Articles