Statin Drugs - How Do They Work and What Are the Risks?
Statin drugs have been around for a while now and the chances are pretty good that if you suffer from high cholesterol your doctor will prescribe one of a number of statin drugs.
This would include household names such as Crestor and Lipitor along with other not so well known statin drugs including Pravachol, Lescol, and Zocor.
These medications are also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
Statin drugs work by interfering with the body's ability to manufacture cholesterol by blocking the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme needed by the body to produce cholesterol.
Less cholesterol in the body makes it possible for the liver to remove enough blood cholesterol to dramatically reduce bad cholesterol levels.
The numbers vary as to how much, but generally speaking the estimates range from 30 to 50 percent over a relatively short period of time.
Initial results will generally be seen in one or two weeks but continued use may be needed to sustain any benefits received.
It should be pointed out that while very effective at reducing bad cholesterol (LDL) statin drugs only marginally improve good cholesterol levels (HDL).
Should statin drugs be my first line of defense at reducing high cholesterol? Unless you have a condition that causes your cholesterol levels to be dangerously high conventional wisdom is that that diet, increased exercise, along with saying no to cigarette smoke (first or second hand) should be the first line of defense against heart and artery disease.
Nevertheless, it seems many doctors are moving in the direction of prescribing statins first and suggesting diet, exercise, and other lifestyle modifications second.
Are there any risk involved with statin drugs? We live in a world where prescription medications have become so common that we often forget there is a reason why you need a prescription to get them.
This is indeed the case with statin drugs.
The most dangerous side effect is rhabdomyolysis.
This condition can be best described as an excessive breakdown of muscle tissue creating a flood of waste cells that travel through the bloodstream and into the kidneys where they may clog small passages and theoretically cause kidney failure.
Other side effects associated with statin drugs are: fever, muscle pain, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, dark urine, allergic skin reactions, hives, itching, swelling of the tongue and face, trouble urinating, fatigue, jaundice (yellow eyes/skin), peeling or loosening of the skin, flatulence, headache, heartburn, indigestion, and stomach upset.
Before prescribing a statin drug you doctor will likely ask is your are heavy drinker, have kidney disease, liver disease, have muscle aches or weakness, have other medical conditions, have any history of allergic reactions, are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, or are breast feeding.
What next? For some the benefits of statin drugs outweigh the risks but for others this might not be the case.
For those in the second group implementing a natural cholesterol reduction supplement first before placing yourself at risk of side effects could be a treatment alternative worth considering.
Natural cholesterol reduction supplements have been found to be very effective in reducing bad cholesterol (LDL), raising good cholesterol (HDL), and dropping triglyceride levels, particularly when combined with diet and exercise.
This would include household names such as Crestor and Lipitor along with other not so well known statin drugs including Pravachol, Lescol, and Zocor.
These medications are also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
Statin drugs work by interfering with the body's ability to manufacture cholesterol by blocking the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme needed by the body to produce cholesterol.
Less cholesterol in the body makes it possible for the liver to remove enough blood cholesterol to dramatically reduce bad cholesterol levels.
The numbers vary as to how much, but generally speaking the estimates range from 30 to 50 percent over a relatively short period of time.
Initial results will generally be seen in one or two weeks but continued use may be needed to sustain any benefits received.
It should be pointed out that while very effective at reducing bad cholesterol (LDL) statin drugs only marginally improve good cholesterol levels (HDL).
Should statin drugs be my first line of defense at reducing high cholesterol? Unless you have a condition that causes your cholesterol levels to be dangerously high conventional wisdom is that that diet, increased exercise, along with saying no to cigarette smoke (first or second hand) should be the first line of defense against heart and artery disease.
Nevertheless, it seems many doctors are moving in the direction of prescribing statins first and suggesting diet, exercise, and other lifestyle modifications second.
Are there any risk involved with statin drugs? We live in a world where prescription medications have become so common that we often forget there is a reason why you need a prescription to get them.
This is indeed the case with statin drugs.
The most dangerous side effect is rhabdomyolysis.
This condition can be best described as an excessive breakdown of muscle tissue creating a flood of waste cells that travel through the bloodstream and into the kidneys where they may clog small passages and theoretically cause kidney failure.
Other side effects associated with statin drugs are: fever, muscle pain, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, dark urine, allergic skin reactions, hives, itching, swelling of the tongue and face, trouble urinating, fatigue, jaundice (yellow eyes/skin), peeling or loosening of the skin, flatulence, headache, heartburn, indigestion, and stomach upset.
Before prescribing a statin drug you doctor will likely ask is your are heavy drinker, have kidney disease, liver disease, have muscle aches or weakness, have other medical conditions, have any history of allergic reactions, are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, or are breast feeding.
What next? For some the benefits of statin drugs outweigh the risks but for others this might not be the case.
For those in the second group implementing a natural cholesterol reduction supplement first before placing yourself at risk of side effects could be a treatment alternative worth considering.
Natural cholesterol reduction supplements have been found to be very effective in reducing bad cholesterol (LDL), raising good cholesterol (HDL), and dropping triglyceride levels, particularly when combined with diet and exercise.
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