Our bodies produce anti-cholesterol cells. These antibody cells fight to reduce high levels of LDL and VLDL cholesterol.
However, due to our “inactive” lifestyles, the cholesterol levels overwhelm the antibody cells, and we need to substitute their role with prescription medicine. Statins are drugs prescribed to subdue LDL levels in your body.
Their role is to lower triglycerides levels and raise HDL levels significantly. Numerous studies have proven that statins significantly lower chances of suffering from heart attacks. Niacin is a vitamin-B product which is known as nicotinic acid.
The drug lowers LDL cholesterol and raises HDL to a point. Niacin's are also known to reduce chances of suffering from cardiovascular disease.
How Does Cholesterol Work?
Once the cholesterol is produced, it hopes on lipoproteins which move to different body parts via the bloodstream. Lipoproteins come in two kinds which are essential to our bodies.
Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) transport the cholesterol to the target destinations. Unfortunately, LDL is also known as bad cholesterol, and when it’s too much it's deposited in the arteries, and a pileup clogs said highways.
High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) also known as the right cholesterol sucks up extra cholesterol from body tissues and cells redirecting them to the liver for repurposing.
Effects of Cholesterol (LDL)
As (LDL) bad cholesterol rises you have a higher risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease. Your heart will develop atherosclerosis a condition that culminates from the combination of bad cholesterol and various substances in the blood.
Your arteries will be blocked by plaque build-up which restricts normal blood flow. If left unattended, the plaque piles up to a point where it blocks off the artery completely. Chest pains are the first indication that something is wrong with your body system.
The Side Effects of Cholesterol Drugs
As important as cholesterol drugs are good for lowering bad cholesterol, they also come with side effects. Some common side effects include: Statins are known to induce muscle inflammation, intestinal problems and in rare cases cause liver damage.
Statins drugs cause confusion and memory loss in some people, and patients are cautioned against eating grapefruit while using statins as the fruit dilutes the use of these drugs
Crestor (rosuvastatin) is used to treat high cholesterol and high triglycerides in the blood and LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) helps reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke or with certain types of heart problems.