Can You Lower Cholesterol Without Medication
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If youre having a cholesterol test soon, you might wonder what to expect when you get your results. If theyre high, will this mean a lifetime of medicine? Are there other kinds of treatments?
You might be surprised to learn that some people can lower cholesterol without medication. It depends on your risk factors for heart disease, and what your doctor thinks is best for you.
Learn more about what your numbers mean and what options you might have for keeping your cholesterol in a healthy range, including the best foods to eat to maintain a heart-healthy diet.
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Lowering Triglycerides Without Medication
Unless your triglycerides are extremely high, lifestyle changes are the best place to start. These simple steps can significantly lower triglyceride levels.
- Beware of bad fats. Cutting back on saturated fat and trans fats can lower triglycerides.
- Go for good carbs. Easily digested carbohydrates give triglycerides a definite boost. Eating whole grains and cutting back on soda can help control triglycerides.
- Check your alcohol use. In some people, alcohol dramatically boosts triglycerides. The only way to know if this is true for you is to avoid alcohol for a few weeks and have your triglycerides tested again.
- Go fish. Omega-3 fats in salmon, tuna, sardines, and other fatty fish can lower triglycerides. Having fish twice a week is fine.
- Aim for a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing just 5% to 10% of your weight can help drive down triglycerides.
- Get moving. Exercise lowers triglycerides and boosts heart-healthy HDL cholesterol.
- Stop smoking. It isnt good for triglyceride levels or for anything else.
About the Author
Gregory Curfman, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Former Editor-in-Chief, Harvard Health Publishing
What Are The Side Effects Of Fibrates
The side effects of fibrates include nausea, stomach upset, and sometimes diarrhea. Fibrates can irritate the liver. The liver irritation usually is mild and reversible, but it occasionally can be severe enough to require stopping the drug.
Fibrates can cause gallstones when used for several years.
Fibrates can increase the effectiveness of blood thinners, such as warfarin , when both medications are used together. Thus, the dose of warfarin should be adjusted to avoid over-thinning of the blood which can lead to excessive bleeding.
Fibrates can cause muscle damage particularly when taken together with statin medications. Gemfibrozil interferes with the breakdown of certain statins , resulting in higher statin blood levels, and hence a higher likelihood of muscle toxicity from the statin. Doctors generally avoid combining a statin with fibrates because of concern over the higher risk of muscle damage with the combination. Gemfibrozil should not be combined with simvastatin and if combined with lovastatin the dose of lovastatin should not exceed 20 mg daily. However, fenofibrate does not interfere with the breakdown of statins and should be the safer fibrate to use if it is necessary to use a fibrate with a statin. Furthermore, pravastatin seems to have fewer muscle toxic effects than the other statins when combined with fibrates, but the risk still exists.
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Choose Fish In Water Not Oil
Fish is a heart healthy food, but read the label carefully when you buy canned fish. Doctors recommend that you watch your intake of fat when you have high triglycerides, especially saturated and trans fats. It is a better idea to buy canned fish that is packed in water. You will get all the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in fish without the downside of additional fats that may contribute to high triglyceride levels. The American Heart Association recommends that people eat at least 2 servings of fatty fish per week. Fatty fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, herring, trout, mackerel, sardines, and albacore tuna.
How Are Fats And Cholesterol Connected In Cats
Fats, including cholesterol, are carried in the blood in complex compounds that also contain protein: so-called lipoproteins.
These include triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipid linked to apopproteins, which are manufactured in cells of the liver and intestines. Apolipoproteins are synthesized in the liver or in intestinal cells.
There are four major lipoprotein classes in cats, as follows:
Chylomicrons and Very low density lipoproteins carry triglycerides in the blood
Low density lipoproteins and High density lipoproteins carry cholesterol in the blood. In cats, HDL outnumbers LDL by 5:1, while in humans, LDL is the main carrier of cholesterol.
Many humans are aware of these abbreviations from their own blood test results, but its important to remember that the significance of abnormal levels is very different in humans compared to cats.
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Eat Fatty Fish Twice Weekly
Fatty fish is well known for its benefits on heart health and ability to lower blood triglycerides.
This is mostly due to its content of omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that is considered essential, meaning you need to get it through your diet.
Both the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and American Heart Association recommend eating two servings of fatty fish per week to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke .
Whats more, one study showed that eating salmon twice a week significantly decreased blood triglyceride concentration .
Salmon, herring, sardines, tuna, and mackerel are a few types of fish that are especially high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Summary
Fatty fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Eating two servings per week may lower triglyceride levels and decrease the risk of heart disease.
How Do Doctors Decide Who Is Prescribed A Statin
In preventive cardiology, its up to us to help patients avoid suffering from a sudden, serious cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, or a long, grueling ailment such as atherosclerosis . We determine on an individual basis which patients have the greatest need and who would benefit most from taking statins. We weigh these benefits against the known risks for each patient before we consider prescribing the medication.
Like all medications with risks and benefits, there are specific guidelines we follow to ensure that we prescribe statins only to people who really need them.
The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association developed these rational guidelines in 2013 after carefully reviewing the decades of published studies about statins. First, we determine a patients overall risk of cardiac disease, taking into account their cholesterol levels as well as other risk factors such as blood pressure, smoking history, diabetes, age, and sex.
There are four general categories recommended to determine who is at high risk for a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke.
We may recommend statins for other people, even if they dont fit in these categories. For example, if a close relative has suffered a heart attack and your own cholesterol levels are getting higher regardless of lifestyle improvements, we may recommend that you take a statin.
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How To Take Your Cholesterol
When youre taking medicines, its important to follow your healthcare providers advice carefully. If you dont take medicines exactly as prescribed, they can harm you. For example, you could unknowingly counteract one medicine by taking it with another one. Medicines can make you feel sick or dizzy if not taken properly.
Taking your cholesterol meds correctly
Medicine can only help you reduce cholesterol if you take it correctly.
- You should take all medicines the way your provider instructs you to do.
- Dont decrease your medication dosage to save money. You must take the full amount to get the full benefits. If your medicines are too expensive, ask your provider or pharmacist about finding financial assistance. Some companies provide discounts for certain medications.
- Dont hesitate to let your provider know if you dont think the medication is working or if you have side effects of cholesterol medicine that concern you.
Working with your pharmacy
Your pharmacy can be your partner in ensuring youre sticking with your cholesterol meds.
Keeping track of your high cholesterol medication
There are now many ways to keep track of medication schedules.
When traveling, keep your medicines with you so you can take them as scheduled. On longer trips, take an extra week’s supply of medicines and copies of your prescriptions in case you need to get a refill.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Can Statins Increase My Risk For Memory Loss Or Dementia
Memory and cognitive symptoms from statin use are very uncommon, and it is unclear if statins are really the culprit. When symptoms have been reported, theyre typically not severe and usually resolve when the statin dosage is adjusted or the medication is switched.
Affected patients have reported feeling unfocused or fuzzy in their thinking, but these experiences are rare. Concerns about long-term cognitive problems and memory loss due to use of statins have not been proven. On the contrary, most recent data actually point to potential prevention of dementia due to statin use.
These data are logical because one of the major causes of dementia is atherosclerosis, which is hardening of the arteries in the brain. There is strong evidence that statins protect against atherosclerosis. Its one of the invisible benefits of taking a statin medication.
Also, keep in mind that increasingly high cholesterol and memory problems both are common symptoms of aging. Sometimes its difficult to disentangle these two, and thats why statin use and memory problems may seem related at times.
If youre concerned about statins and memory loss, dont stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor. There may be other reasons for your memory symptoms, or alternate treatments for your high cholesterol can be considered.
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How Quickly Can I Lower My Cholesterol
Your cholesterol levels may lower as quickly as a few weeks to a few months, depending on your treatment plan.
If your levels are very high, your healthcare provider may recommend taking medications at the start of your treatment plan. This may help lower your cholesterol levels more quickly. The sooner you can lower your bad cholesterol levels, the sooner you can lower your risk for plaques to form.
You can also lower your cholesterol through lifestyle and diet changes alone, but it may take three to six months to see results. Talk with your healthcare provider to figure out the best treatment plan for you.
Healthy Eating Tips To Lower Cholesterol
As well as sticking to a varied and healthy diet, try these tips to help you manage your cholesterol:
- Limit takeaway foods to once a week .
- Limit salty, fatty and sugary snack foods to once a week .
- Eat plenty of vegetables aim for 5 serves of vegetables every day. .
- Choose wholegrain breads, cereal, pasta, rice and noodles.
- Snack on plain, unsalted nuts and fresh fruit .
- Include legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, split peas), beans into at least two meals a week. Check food labels and choose the lowest sodium products.
- Use spreads and margarines made from healthy unsaturated fats instead of those made with saturated fat .
- Use healthy oils for cooking some include canola, sunflower, soybean, olive , sesame and peanut oils.
- Use salad dressings and mayonnaise made from oils such as canola, sunflower, soybean, olive , sesame and peanut oils.
- Include 2 or 3 serves of plant-sterol-enriched foods every day .
- Have 2 to 3 portions of oily fish every week. Fish may be fresh, frozen or canned.
- Include up to 7 eggs every week.
- Select lean meat and limit unprocessed red meat to less than 350g per week.
- Choose reduced fat, no added sugar milk, yoghurt, or calcium-added non-dairy food and drinks.
- Limit or avoid processed meats including sausages and deli meats .
If you are having trouble with your cholesterol levels, a dietitian can help you to eat healthily for your specific needs.
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Diet For High Triglycerides: What To Eat And What Not To Eat
A key role in the management of high triglycerides can play it there diet. With the exception of those conditions deriving from underlying pathologies, for which the attending physician will be the most suitable reference, nutrition will be fundamental.
Anyone suffering from high triglycerides will need to pay special attention to both foods to avoid that to the recommended foods.
Medications That Can Cause High Triglycerides
Though they dont factor in to your total cholesterol level, blood fats called triglycerides still have an impact on your health. Extremely high triglycerides500 mg/dL or highercan put you at risk for pancreatitis. This inflammation of the pancreas gland can cause stomach pain, digestive problems, and, eventually, diabetes.
Almost one-third of American adults have high triglycerides. Obesity, family history, excess alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle often play a role. But certain medications for other health conditions also can influence your triglyceride level. If you take one of these drugs, ask your health care provider how often you should have a lipid panel. This measures your triglycerides and your cholesterol. Always talk with your health care provider before stopping or starting any medication.
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Triglycerides And Cholesterol: What Are High Levels And How To Lower Them To Avoid Heart Disease
In Argentina, only one in three cardiac patients meets the goals of cholesterol control established by the Argentine Society of Cardiology . The data is even more worrying for patients with very high cardiovascular risk, since in this group the level of monitoring decreases to 16%. The high cholesterol -o hypercholesterolemia is one of the so-called silent diseases. It does not cause symptoms, pain or warning signs.
Cholesterol is onefatty substance It is present in all tissues of the human body and is necessary for the normal functioning of the organism. It serves as raw material for cell membranes and for the synthesis of hormones such as estrogens and androgens.
Then, cholesterol is not an enemybut in excess it generates serious consequences for health by increasing the probability of cardiovascular disease. There are other lipid substances in the blood in addition to cholesterol. Among them are the triglycerideswhose elevation also increases the risk of heart conditions.
The cardiologists at Mayo Clinicin the USA, describe the differences between these two types of lipids that circulate in the blood:
Los triglycerides store unused calories and provide energy to the body
The cholesterol is used to build cells and certain hormones
These lipoproteins that remove cholesterol are called HDL , it is popularly known as good cholesterol. Other lipoproteins transport cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the organs. These are called LDL .
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High Triglycerides What To Eat
What to eat to lower triglycerides? There are several recommended foods, keeping in mind not to overdo the quantities taken.
Cereals and whole grains and rice
Even in the form of pasta or bread, these products help the body to maintain a sense of satiety for longer, to perform digestive functions optimally and to contain blood sugar levels. Excellent contribution of fibre, useful for lowering high triglycerides.
Fruits and vegetables
Lots of vegetables as a source of dietary fiber, which will help reduce excess triglycerides. Yes also to fresh fruit, although it is recommended to avoid consuming bananas, figs, persimmons, grapes and mandarins.
Fish
Green light also to fish, especially when it comes to sardines, herring, salmon and mackerel. The fish mentioned have meats rich in omega-3 fatty acids, believed to be effective in reducing triglycerides.
legumes
How to forget i legumes, excellent source of vegetable proteins and among the main alternatives to red meat and aged cheeses.
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Why High Cholesterol Is So Dangerous
A total cholesterol above 200 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol above 130 mg/dL, or triglycerides above 150 mg/dL are each considered high, and these levels increase your risk of cardiovascular problems related to the buildup of cholesterol in your bloodstream.
As with another heart disease risk factorhigh cholesterol typically has no symptoms. Though arteries could be getting clogged with fatty cholesterol deposits called plaque, youre unlikely to have any idea until its too late.
Without a blood test to measure your cholesterol levels, the warning sign could be chest pain or even a major cardiac event, such as a heart attack or a stroke, states the American Academy of Family Physicians. Thats why regular blood tests are so important. According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommendation is to have a first lipid profile test at age 18, and then every five years, or more frequently if you have certain risk factors.
What About Using Red Rice Yeast Or Plant Stanols Instead Of Prescription Drugs To Lower Cholesterol
Many people say they prefer to take natural medicines over prescription drugs. However, just because something is natural doesnt mean that its safe. The United States doesnt regulate supplements as closely as medicines. Supplements can also interfere in dangerous ways with medications that you already take.
However, red rice yeast extract does contain the same chemical thats in certain prescription statins like lovastatin. In some cases, you and your healthcare provider might agree that you should try the supplement with monitoring.
Plant stanols are another nonprescription choice for lowering cholesterol. Plant stanols stop your body from absorbing cholesterol in your intestines. You can buy capsules or get plant stanols in some margarine substitutes.
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Effect Of Bempedoic Acid On Clinical Outcomes
Currently there are no outcome studies determining the effect of bempedoic acid on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The effect of bempedoic acid on cardiovascular disease is currently being evaluated in a large ~3.5-year clinical trial . In animal models of atherosclerosis, treatment with bempedoic acid had favorable effects on atherosclerosis . Moreover, genetic variants that mimic the effect of ATP citrate lyase inhibitors lower LDL-C levels and are associated with a decrease in cardiovascular disease suggesting that bempedoic acid will have favorable effects on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease .