The human liver naturally produces cholesterol to help in cell and hormone production. However, overactive cholesterol production and the addition of consuming high cholesterol foods are partners for disaster. Unable to absorb the onslaught of vessel clogging fatty deposits, an individual is susceptible to life threatening strokes and heart attacks. Even with changes in diet, the body often needs help to eliminate the "bad" cholesterol.
Changes in diet are one of the first lines of defense against high cholesterol. Too many people eat a high fat diet, short on fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Cakes, cookies, white breads, and ice cream are four common offenders. However, fast food is also becoming increasingly popular in today's societies. Fried foods are recipes for increasing already dangerous levels of cholesterol.
With education, individuals are learning to eat lean meats, cooking with low fat oils like canola, and snacking on fruits and vegetables rather than baked goods and high fat dairy foods.
However, when changes in diet are not sufficient, high cholesterol medicine is needed to bring the numbers down to a safe level.
Doctors may prescribe medication to combat high levels of cholesterol. Statin drugs are common high cholesterol medicines, recommended to block the liver's ability to naturally create cholesterol. As a result, the liver will begin removing the artery-clogging component in the blood. Also, the body will have a greater capability of absorbing the remaining cholesterol, before fatty deposits can form to block the blood flow through the vessels.
Another drug used to control cholesterol is bile acid binding drugs. The liver needs cholesterol to make bile. Bound by the medicine, the liver will naturally require more cholesterol to manufacture the necessary bile. Still other drugs are designed to prevent the body from absorbing cholesterol. Instead, the cholesterol is laid waste. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a combination of Statin drugs and absorption preventing medicines. Although testing may be required to monitor cholesterol levels and liver function, high cholesterol medicine may prevent a worse, and often deadly, fate.
In summary, high cholesterol is not a health issue to be ignored. The condition is a major cause of strokes and heart attacks. Not adhering to a heart-healthy diet and taking the recommended medication is tantamount to playing Russian roulette with life. Do not take a blase attitude toward a silent killer. As with any other potential health problems, monitoring high cholesterol can be a lifesaver.
Author Resource:-
Erol Orderland writes about aging and disease from his home in the Netherlands. Visit High Cholesterol for more information and High Cholesterol information for related news
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