VERIFIED CONTENTConsultation: Klaudia Kierzkowska, graduate of chemistry at the University of Warsaw

Cholesterol is necessary for the proper functioning of the body. However, its excess can lead to a heart attack or stroke. That is why it is so important to start treatment if it is found to be abnormal. Check what medications for high cholesterol are available in pharmacies.

Cholesterol, an organic compound from the sterol group, is necessary for the proper functioning of the body, including:

  • is the building block of cell membranes,
  • participates in the production of hormones,
  • is necessary for the absorption of vitamin D,
  • is a component of bile and facilitates the digestion of fats.

Total cholesterol is made up of two types of lipoproteins - LDL "bad cholesterol" and HDL "good cholesterol".

Normal cholesterol level

The norms of cholesterol in adults depend, among others, on on gender, the prevalence of chronic diseases and he alth. Normal total cholesterolshould be below 190 mg / dL , and in the presence of comorbidities, it should not exceed 175 mg / dL.

In turn, the correct level of LDL cholesterol in adults should not exceed 115 mg / dl, and in people at risk - 100 mg / dl. In people with comorbidities, its value should be less than 70 mg / dl. The concentration of HDL fraction should be higher than 40 mg / dL in men and 45 mg / dL in women.

Let's not forget about the cholesterol standards in children, whose total cholesterol should not exceed 170 mg / dl, and in the case of comorbidities, it should be less than 130 mg / dl.

Causes of high cholesterol

One of the main causes of elevated cholesterol is an incorrect diet, rich in saturated fat - mainly animal, and low in unsaturated fat - of plant origin. Fast food, sugars, fatty dairy products and canned food also adversely affect the cholesterol level in the body.

Too little physical activity, drinking a lot of alcohol, smoking or genetic predisposition are also important. On the elevatedcholesterol levels are affected by comorbidities, medications taken, e.g. glucocorticosteroids, and age - cholesterol levels increase with age.

How to lower cholesterol?

The first step to lowering cholesterol is to change your diet and start exercising. Patients should avoid highly processed products, fatty dairy products, and red meat. The daily menu should be enriched with vegetables, fruit, fish and products containing a lot of fiber.

If the amount of bad cholesterol is borderline, its excess can be reduced by changing the lifestyle - by exercising at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes and modifying the menu. However, it is often necessary to take medications to lower cholesterol.

Find out what raises cholesterol

See the gallery of 7 photos

Drugs for high cholesterol - over the counter

There are over-the-counter drugs available on the pharmaceutical market that help fight high cholesterol. These are usually herbal or vitamin preparations, the intake of which should still be consulted with your doctor. The most popular are:

  • herbal preparations containing artichoke, milk thistle, garlic, rosehip and dandelion extracts - they increase the production of bile, digestive juices and support the work of the liver, which reduces the concentration of bad cholesterol. Some of them have a cleansing effect and help to deal with the excess of toxins accumulated in the body;
  • preparations with omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 acids. Omega-3 reduces the level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, and increases the amount of good cholesterol, while omega-6 and omega-9 work similarly, but do not affect the level of triglycerides. Fish oil is a rich source of omega fatty acids, which additionally contains vitamin A and D3;
  • preparations containing lecithin, which helps to break down fats and at the same time prevents their accumulation on the walls of blood vessels;
  • plant sterols (phytosterols) bind to receptors in intestinal cells and thus block the absorption of cholesterol. They have a positive effect on the so-called lipid profile, reducing the amount of LDL in the blood;
  • policosanol, a mixture of compounds that lower the level of bad cholesterol and increase the amount of good cholesterol.
Remember!

The old rule is that prevention is better than cure. However, if, despite the use of a proper diet and physical activity, the cholesterol level has risen, it is necessary to see a doctor who, based on the results of the tests, will select the appropriate treatment.

Drugs on a high levelcholesterol - prescription

If your cholesterol levels are significantly elevated, you will need to take prescription medications in addition to changing your lifestyle. The most frequently used are:

  • statins - are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol lowering pills by doctors. These are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, responsible for reducing the level of lipids and triglycerides in the blood;
  • fibrates - i.e. derivatives of fibric acid, increase the concentration of good cholesterol, i.e. HDL, which protects against stroke or heart attack. Fibrates reduce the level of triglycerides, and to a small extent also LDL cholesterol;
  • nicotinic acid derivatives - they also reduce the level of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides, and increase the amount of HDL;
  • ion exchange resins - a group of drugs that bind bile acids in the digestive tract, and thus the body is forced to synthesize new bile acids using the accumulated cholesterol.

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