About Cholesterol-Reducing Products
High cholesterol is caused by a variety of factors. Though some, such as genetics, cannot be avoided, others, such as smoking, drinking and poor dieting habits, can be. As we age, cholesterol also tends to increase, making it even more important for men aged 45 or older and women aged 55 and older to make cholesterol-reducing products a part of their everyday lives.
Purpose
High cholesterol, or hyperlipidemia, can cause coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Though some people are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol, most people can prevent it with a diet that limits the intake of high-fat, high-sugar foods and emphasizes a more well-rounded diet that is low in fat and often lower in protein. This is usually combined with exercise, which will further lower cholesterol.
Substitutions
One way to lower your cholesterol is to substitute foods that are high in cholesterol and saturated fats for complex carbohydrates. Most high-cholesterol foods come from animals and include eggs, cheese, red meat, chicken, shellfish, butter, ice cream, and cow liver and kidneys. Great substitutions for these foods are complex carbohydrates such as oats, beans, apples, bran, brown rice and whole wheat bread and pasta.
Natural Foods
Most products that lower cholesterol can be found in nature. They consist of numerous fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds and oils made from these products, such as olive oil. Other cholesterol-lowering foods are oats and bran, almonds, walnuts, salmon, albacore tuna, carrots, tomatoes, onions, avocados and garlic.
Vitamins
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, has been known to lower cholesterol though it can have side effects such as hot flashes and flushing. Check with your doctor before taking niacin supplements, as they should only be taken if prescribed by a doctor. Over-the-counter niacin supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Fiber can also reduce cholesterol. It can be taken as a supplement or ingested naturally from oats, beans, and some fruits and vegetables such as carrots and yams. Plant sterols, which occur naturally in plants, also lower cholesterol. They are extracted from plants and can be found in foods such as orange juice.
Medications
Drugs are usually prescribed to patients who have changed their diet and exercise habits but have not seen a drop in their cholesterol. There are a few classes of prescription medications that have been known to lower cholesterol. Statins slow down the body's production of cholesterol and include Lipitor, Mevacor, Zocor, Altocor, Pravachol and Crestor. Resins lower LDL, or "bad" cholesterol and include Questran, Welchol, Prevalite and Colestid. Some drugs also prevent your body from absorbing cholesterol from food. These include Zetia and Vytorin.
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