Natural Treatment Recommended for Cholesterol

While making therapeutic lifestyle changes, it may be beneficial to consider an alternative treatment for cholesterol. Check with your doctor before beginning any cholesterol natural treatment, especially if you are on medication for high cholesterol.Some natural products that can be used to lower cholesterol are:

• Vitamin B;
• Carnitine;
• Chromium;
• Coenzyme Q10;
• Fiber;
• Garlic;
• Royal jelly;
• Soy;
• Vitamin C;
• Grape seed extract.

DRUG THERAPY

The main type of drug therapy used to lower cholesterol levels is statins. Statins work to lower LDL (or bad) cholesterol levels. They slow down the production of cholesterol and help the body remove LDL cholesterol in the blood. Statins may be used in conjunction with other drugs. Other drugs that may be prescribed are:

• Bile acid sequestrants bind with the bile acids in the intestines that contain cholesterol. These are then excreted through the stool.
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors are a fairly new treatment. This drugs helps stop cholesterol absorption in the gut.
• Nicotinic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin. It lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It also raises HDL (or good) cholesterol.
• Fibrates work toward lowering triglycerides. They can also help increase HDL cholesterol levels.
• Hormone replacement therapy may be prescribed for women after menopause.

When Should TLC and Drug Therapy be Used?

Usually, a patient will start their high cholesterol treatment by making lifestyle changes. If these cholesterol lowering treatments do not work to lower cholesterol levels, then drug therapy will be considered. However, if a patient is at a high risk of health complications due to high cholesterol levels, or if they already have manifest arteriosclerosis, then drug therapy may be started immediately.

Even when drug therapy commences, the therapeutic lifestyle changes like following a low-fat diet, exercising regularly and losing weight, will still need to be followed. When drug therapy is started straight away, then the patient will be advised to make therapeutic lifestyle changes at the same time

Should You Seek Medical Advice?

A doctor should be consulted before beginning any treatment for high cholesterol, including natural treatments and lifestyle changes. A doctor will be able to assess your risks and inform you on whether drug therapy should be started immediately or may be postponed as TLC are tried. They are also able to monitor your cholesterol levels, so that you can whether your high cholesterol treatment is working.

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