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Easy ways to cut down cholesterol

By jeremyc | November 19, 2009

Source: WalesOnline.co.uk

We all know that high cholesterol is bad news but, in actual fact, cholesterol is vital in order for our body to function properly.

Cholesterol forms part of every cell membrane and is also essential for the insulation of nerve fibres, and for the manufacture of hormones in the body.

However, if cholesterol levels are excessively high, surplus cholesterol will be laid down in blood vessels, causing narrowing and blockage of arteries, and ultimately leading to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

A total cholesterol level above 5 mmol/L is now considered to be high, and studies have shown that lowering your cholesterol to a target level of less than 5mmol/L, can significantly reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Your doctor can measure your cholesterol level with a simple blood test. This is done as a fasting test and you will be asked not to eat or drink for at least 12 hours beforehand.

High cholesterol is usually the result of a diet high in saturated fats. Saturated fats are “bad fats” and are the fats mainly found in animal products such as red meat, lard, butter, whole milk and cheese. This saturated fat is converted into cholesterol once inside the body.

Modifying your diet to avoid foods high in saturated fat, and following the simple rules below, is ultimately the best way to lower cholesterol levels naturally:

Try and avoid cholesterol-laden foods such as eggs, shellfish and offal.

Grill all meats and avoid frying foods.

Cut visible fat off meat.

Stick to lean white meat such as chicken.

Swap whole milk for semi-skimmed or skimmed.

Opt for low fat dairy products

Lose weight

Exercise regularly

Reduce your alcohol intake

Drug treatment of high cholesterol will depend on an individual’s overall risk for heart disease. If your cholesterol level is higher than 5, it does not necessarily mean that you will be treated with a cholesterol-lowering drug. Your doctor will want to take into account other risk factors for cardiovascular disease before considering treatment.

For example, if you have a cholesterol level of 6.5, smoke 40 cigarettes a day, have high blood pressure and are diabetic, your GP will definitely be advising you that treatment should be started.

On the other hand, if you are a fit 35-year-old with a cholesterol level of 6.5, but you are a non-smoker, with normal blood pressure and no family history of cardiovascular disease, medical treatment is not necessarily advised and simple dietary and lifestyle advice, as mentioned, would be sufficient.

Statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin) are undoubtedly the most effective cholesterol-lowering treatment available to date. Although the statins have had a lot of negative press recently, it should be remembered that these drugs do work, and numerous clinical trials have proved their ability to effectively lower cholesterol levels and so prevent subsequent heart attacks and strokes.

Statins are generally well tolerated by most of my patients, although some do complain of muscular aches and pains, which can occasionally prevent continuation of treatment. Rarely, statins can cause problems with the liver, and for this reason, liver enzyme blood tests are checked regularly to monitor the liver function.

For those patients who are unable to tolerate statins, there are other drugs available. These include the drug ezetimibe and a class of drugs known as the fibrates. These drugs tend not to give as many side effects as the statins, and are generally better tolerated. However, their cholesterol-lowering abilities are not as good as the statins, and for this reason they are not used as first line treatment.

So, as the run up to Christmas approaches, think twice before you reach for that second mince pie, and spare a thought for your poor arteries. Keep your cholesterol levels at bay and start 2010 with a happy, healthy heart.

Topics: | Statins |

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