High cholesterol causes a buildup of fats and other unhealthy elements in your arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications like heart attack and stroke. Understanding the main causes of high cholesterol and the effective prevention and treatment solutions available can help you lower the risk of serious illnesses.

However, with so many cholesterol-lowering supplements and medications available on the market, it can be quite challenging to figure out which one works best. To complicate matters, many have raised concerns over the safety of cholesterol medication. Some claim that it causes muscle pain, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and digestive issues.   

In this article, we’ll explore common issues around solutions for high cholesterol and the steps you should take to ensure your medication is safe and effective.

 

Types of Cholesterol Treatments

The most common categories of high cholesterol medication include statins, bile acid sequestrants, and adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitors. Other treatments include niacin, fibrates, and supplements.

Statins

Statins are a form of medication for high cholesterol designed to inhibit the production of ‘bad’ cholesterol known as ‘LDL’ in your liver and enhance its removal from your body. As inhibitors, statins obstruct an enzyme called ‘HMG-CoA reductase,’ which is responsible for the production of cholesterol by the liver.

With less cholesterol in your body, the risk of plaque buildup in your arteries is eliminated, improving the overall health of your heart. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular issues like stroke and heart disease.

If your arteries are already clogged with cholesterol, statins can stabilize the plaque, reducing the risk of blood clots and arterial hemorrhagic bleeding.

ACL Inhibitors

ACL inhibitors are meant to block the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme that facilitates the production of cholesterol by the liver. These inhibitors are normally used with statins for faster and more effective results.

Bile Acid Sequestrants

These medications bind to the bile acids in your digestive tract, inhibiting their absorption. This forces the liver to break down cholesterol as it attempts to produce additional bile acids.

 

Common Issues With Cholesterol Medication

Many people relying on medication to lower their cholesterol levels have concerns about side effects, effectiveness, safety, and over-prescription. 

Side Effects

Most cholesterol medications can cause side effects, including digestive issues, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, muscle pain, and liver damage with prolonged use.

Effectiveness

Some are skeptical about the effectiveness of cholesterol medication, especially when they compare them with natural supplements. Many believe that organic supplements may be safer and more effective than traditional medications.

One of the most common alternative treatments to statins for lowering cholesterol is Nutrim powder, which is 100% natural and available in powder form. It contains a concentrated dose of oat beta-glucans, which can lower your cholesterol naturally.

Before changing your regimen, be sure to explore the differences and effectiveness of statins and Nutrim to know which one works best for you. Also, consider managing your cholesterol levels through dieting, exercising, and lifestyle changes for sustainable results.

Safety

Medical professionals warn that prolonged use of certain medicines can significantly impact your overall health. For instance, statins may increase the risk of diabetes.

Cholesterol medications can damage your liver, especially if you take them for a long time or without consulting a doctor. A common sign of statin-related liver complications is elevated levels of liver enzymes.

Mild increases in enzymes are normal, but severe and sudden elevations could point to a damaged liver. If this happens, immediately stop taking the cholesterol treatment and have a thorough medical examination to determine the cause and extent of the damage.

Over-Prescription

Taking medication without a prescription from a physician or qualified medical professional can lead to an overdose. A doctor’s prescription should be based on test results that indicate high cholesterol levels.

Most doctors will only prescribe statins when other safer solutions like lifestyle changes, diet, and exercise fail. Some individuals may feel like their doctors rush to prescribe medication without considering other healthier options.

 

In Summary

It’s important to raise concerns with your doctor before taking any cholesterol medication to understand the possible side effects at hand. If you’d rather go the natural route and are interested in trying Nutrim or other cholesterol-improving organic supplements, check out Sur’s selection today!