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Lower cholesterol for better overall well-being -

Aside from mild skin reactions at the site of injection, they have few side effects. Inclisiran brand name Leqvio is a PCSK9 inhibitor that is given by injection once, 90 days later, and then every six months. However, they are expensive and their use is limited to patients treated with maximal tolerated statins who have persistent elevations of LDL cholesterol.

Bile acid sequestrants — The bile acid sequestrants include colesevelam brand name: Welchol , colestipol brand name: Colestid , and cholestyramine sample brand names: Prevalite, Questran table 1.

These medications bind to bile acids in the intestine, reducing the amount of cholesterol the body absorbs from foods. They are used only occasionally. They lower LDL cholesterol only modestly 10 to 15 percent.

Side effects can be bothersome and may include nausea, bloating, cramping, and liver damage. Taking psyllium a fiber supplement, such as Metamucil can sometimes reduce the dose required and the side effects. Bile acid sequestrants can interact with some medications, including as digoxin brand name: Lanoxin and warfarin brand name: Jantoven , and with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins A, D, K, and E.

Taking these medications at different times of day can solve these problems in some cases. Bempedoic acid — Bempedoic acid brand name: Nexletol is the newest lipid-lowering agent, and it is approved for lowering LDL cholesterol.

It works by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis at a step before the HMG-CoA reductase or the enzyme inhibited by statin therapy. Bempedoic acid alone or in combination with a statin or ezetimibe brand name: Nexlizet lowers LDL cholesterol as well as other atherogenic proteins.

Bempedoic acid can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks. Side effects include an increase in the incidence of gout, gallstones, kidney damage, and small increases in liver enzymes. Early studies reported Achilles tendon rupture as a rare side effect; however, this effect was not seen in a recent large trial.

Omega-3 — Oily fish, such as mackerel, herring, bluefish, sardines, salmon, and anchovies, contain two important fatty acids called docosahexaenoic acid DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid EPA. Eating a diet that includes one to two servings of oily fish per week can lower triglyceride levels and reduce the risk of death from coronary heart disease.

Fish oil supplements, supplements with low-dose mixed fish oils usually approximately 1 gram per day of combined DHA and EPA , had been thought to provide cardiac benefit, but large trials have found no significant benefit. As such, they are no longer recommended. A second study of a high-dose agent that had both EPA and DHA failed to provide benefit, suggesting that the EPA only preparation at the 4 g dose is important.

However, the trials found that omega-3 fatty acid medications increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. Therefore, a discussion with your cardiologist on the net benefit or harm from taking fish oil supplements including icosapent ethyl is needed before starting this treatment.

Nicotinic acid niacin — Nicotinic acid is a vitamin that is available in immediate-release, sustained-release, and extended-release formulations table 1. Nicotinic acid is rarely used for a high cholesterol. In most situations, ezetimibe or a PCSK9 inhibitor is tried before nicotinic acid.

Historically, this agent used to be used to raise HDL cholesterol levels, but that is no longer recommended. It is sometimes used for patients with high lipoprotein a levels and LDL cholesterol that is refractory to more effective and better-tolerated medications statins, ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors.

Nicotinic acid is associated with many side effects, including flushing when the face or body turns red and becomes warm , itching, nausea, numbness and tingling, and worsening of gout. This medication can also cause liver damage; people who use it require regular blood tests to monitor their liver function.

Red yeast rice — Red yeast rice is a fermented rice product that can lower serum cholesterol. Red yeast rice contains naturally occurring substances called monacolins that act to reduce cholesterol by a mechanism similar to that of statins.

Although red yeast rice is effective for lowering total and LDL cholesterol, there is not evidence that it decreases rates of cardiovascular events or that it is safe to take long-term. Moreover, red yeast rice supplements are not standardized in the United States.

Different commercial preparations vary widely in the amount of the active ingredient, and some commercial preparations have been shown to contain potentially toxic substances or lovastatin, a statin medication.

Soy protein — Soy protein contains isoflavones, which mimic the action of estrogen. A diet high in soy protein can slightly lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides and raise levels of high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol.

However, normal protein should not be replaced with soy protein or isoflavone supplements in an effort to lower cholesterol levels.

Soy foods and food products eg, tofu, soy butter, edamame, some soy burgers are likely to have beneficial effects on lipids and cardiovascular health because they are low in saturated fats and high in unsaturated fats.

Garlic — Garlic has not been proven to be effective in lowering cholesterol. Plant stanols and sterols — Plant stanols and sterols may act by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. They are naturally found in some fruits, vegetables, vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and legumes.

They are also available in commercially prepared products such as margarine Promise Active and Benecol , orange juice Minute Maid Premium Heart Wise , and rice milk Rice Dream Heart Wise as well as dietary supplements Benecol SoftGels and Cholest-Off.

Despite lowering cholesterol levels, there are no studies demonstrating a reduced risk of coronary heart disease in people who consume supplemental plant stanols and sterols. These products need to be studied more before they can be recommended.

Although medications can rapidly lower your levels within a week , it often takes 6 to 12 months before the effects of lifestyle modifications are noticeable. Once you have an effective treatment plan and you begin to see results, it is important to stay committed to the plan.

Stopping treatment usually allows lipid levels to rise again and increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular problems.

Even while taking medications, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial to obtain the most benefit from these therapies. Most people who stop treatment do so because of perceived side effects. However, there are a wide variety of medications available today, which should make it possible for most people to find an option that works for them.

Talk with your health care provider if a specific medication is not working for you; he or she can recommend alternatives that are compatible with your lifestyle and preferences.

Your healthcare provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your medical problem. This article will be updated as needed on our web site www.

Related topics for patients, as well as selected articles written for healthcare professionals, are also available. Some of the most relevant are listed below. Patient level information — UpToDate offers two types of patient education materials. The Basics — The Basics patient education pieces answer the four or five key questions a patient might have about a given condition.

These articles are best for patients who want a general overview and who prefer short, easy-to-read materials. Patient education: High cholesterol The Basics Patient education: High triglycerides The Basics Patient education: Can foods or supplements lower cholesterol?

The Basics. Beyond the Basics — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed. These articles are best for patients who want in-depth information and are comfortable with some medical jargon.

Patient education: High cholesterol and lipids Beyond the Basics Patient education: Heart attack recovery Beyond the Basics Patient education: Type 2 diabetes: Overview Beyond the Basics Patient education: Exercise Beyond the Basics Patient education: Diet and health Beyond the Basics.

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Professional level articles are best for people who are comfortable with a lot of medical terminology and who want to read the same materials their doctors are reading.

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Patient education: High cholesterol and lipid treatment options Beyond the Basics. Formulary drug information for this topic. No drug references linked in this topic. Find in topic Formulary Print Share. Official reprint from UpToDate ® www. com © UpToDate, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Authors: Robert S Rosenson, MD Christopher P Cannon, MD Section Editor: Mason W Freeman, MD Deputy Editor: Sara Swenson, MD. All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. Literature review current through: Jan This topic last updated: Oct 11, Other special groups People with high triglyceride levels — Triglycerides, like cholesterol, are a type of lipid.

Due to these risks, the FDA no longer recommends its use with statins or cautious use. Nutritional supplements Red yeast rice — Red yeast rice is a fermented rice product that can lower serum cholesterol.

The Basics Beyond the Basics — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed. Patient education: High cholesterol and lipids Beyond the Basics Patient education: Heart attack recovery Beyond the Basics Patient education: Type 2 diabetes: Overview Beyond the Basics Patient education: Exercise Beyond the Basics Patient education: Diet and health Beyond the Basics Professional level information — Professional level articles are designed to keep doctors and other health professionals up-to-date on the latest medical findings.

Effect of raw garlic vs commercial garlic supplements on plasma lipid concentrations in adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia: a randomized clinical trial. Arch Intern Med ; Fedder DO, Koro CE, L'Italien GJ. New National Cholesterol Education Program III guidelines for primary prevention lipid-lowering drug therapy: projected impact on the size, sex, and age distribution of the treatment-eligible population.

Circulation ; Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Merz CN, et al. Physical activity exercises the heart, reducing the risk of heart disease. It can also help the body more effectively remove cholesterol from the blood, steadily lowering bad cholesterol. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommend at least minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, per week.

People who are not active can start slowly. Even a slight increase in physical activity can improve health, and may make it easier to work up to more exercise.

Quitting or cutting back on habits such as smoking and excessive drinking can help lower cholesterol, while improving overall health. Cholesterol medications such as statins may be the fastest way to lower cholesterol for some people — usually within 6 to 8 weeks.

This allows a person to quickly reduce their heart disease risk while cultivating a healthy lifestyle. During this period, a person can focus on lowering cholesterol over time with lifestyle and dietary changes.

Because high cholesterol is a risk factor for serious heart health issues, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommend statins for many groups of people with high LDL cholesterol.

If LDL cholesterol does not drop enough with diet and lifestyle changes and statins, a person might need additional medications. This means that even people with moderately high cholesterol may see health improvements with a cholesterol-friendly lifestyle.

The "good" type of cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol. Learn why it is beneficial and how to increase HDL levels. Non-HDL cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol, is harmful in high amounts.

Learn how to lower non-HDL cholesterol here. Non-HDL cholesterol is the total cholesterol level minus HDL cholesterol. Higher levels can potentially be harmful to the body.

Learn more. If a person has high cholesterol, following a diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and processed foods may help reduce levels. In this article, learn about the different kinds of cholesterol, what different factors affect cholesterol levels, and when to contact a doctor.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. The best ways to reduce cholesterol, and how long it takes. Medically reviewed by Adam Bernstein, MD, ScD — By Zawn Villines — Updated on April 17, What cholesterol is Reducing cholesterol Cholesterol levels Reducing cholesterol Summary Cholesterol drops over time, not suddenly after a few days of healthier living.

What is cholesterol and how does it affect health? How long does it take to reduce cholesterol? What is a normal cholesterol level?

The best ways to reduce cholesterol. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

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Cholesterol drops over time, well-benig Lower cholesterol for better overall well-being after Loweer few days of healthier living. There is no set period in which Resveratrol and sleep quality is Lower cholesterol for better overall well-being to drop. The body needs welll-being cholesterol to function Lowfr. However, well-beeing much cholesterol — especially low density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol — increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. People concerned about their cholesterol may wonder how to reduce cholesterol in 30 days. However, cholesterol reduction takes time, and most research looks at cholesterol changes over many months. People hoping to naturally reduce their cholesterol can steadily lower their cholesterol with a number of healthy lifestyle changes. Last Lower cholesterol for better overall well-being Well-beiing This article was created by cholesteroll. org editorial staff and reviewed by Well-bein Rippey, MD, CAQSM. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance in your body. Your body uses it to protect nerves, make cell tissues, and produce certain hormones. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. But you also get cholesterol directly from food you eat. Common sources include eggs, meats, and dairy products.