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What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) made by the body. About 80% of cholesterol is made by the
body, the other 20% comes from the diet. Cholesterol is a building block for cell membranes. Our
body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones (e.g., progesterone, estrogen, testosterone),
vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat.
Many foods contain cholesterol and high intake of these foods can increase the level of cholesterol
in the blood. Having too much cholesterol in the blood is not a disease in itself, but high
cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) can cause the formation and accumulation of plaque deposits
in the arteries. Plaque is composed of cholesterol, other fatty substances, fibrous tissue, and
calcium. When it builds up in the arteries, it results in the hardening and narrowing of the arteries
(atherosclerosis) in the major vascular systems.
Narrowing of the arteries around the heart (coronary heart disease) can prevent the heart from
getting as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, increasing the risk of a heart attack. Decreased
blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke, and less blood flowing to the lower limbs may result in
exercise-related pain or even gangrene.
Having a high cholesterol level does not cause symptoms and does not make you feel sick. If
there is a huge excess, some people develop soft, yellowish skin growths called xanthomas,
usually in the area near the eyes. Most people find out they have high cholesterol when they have
their blood cholesterol measured as part of a medical check-up.
Types of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is not soluble in water and doesn't mix easily with blood. In order to be able to travel in
the bloodstream, the cholesterol made in the liver is combined with protein and other substances.
This cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoprotein then carries the cholesterol
through the bloodstream.
Lipoproteins can be high density (HDL), low density (LDL) or very low density (VLDL), depending
on how much protein there is in relation to fat.
LDL (low density lipoprotein)
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is called the "bad" cholesterol. About 70% of cholesterol is
transported as LDL. This is mostly fat and not much protein. LDL causes cholesterol to be
deposited in the arteries. High levels of LDL are associated with an increased risk of coronary

2. heart disease.
HDL (high density lipoprotein)
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is called the "good" cholesterol. It carries cholesterol from the
body's tissues back to the liver. About 20% of cholesterol is transported as HDL, which is mostly
protein and not much fat. HDL cholesterol may help protect against atherosclerosis by preventing
cholesterol from depositing on arterial walls as it circulates in the bloodstream.
Risks factors
There are several factors that may contribute to high cholesterol level in the blood:
Genetic predisposition. People are at a higher risk of high cholesterol if they have a direct male
relative aged under 55 or female relative aged under 65 affected by coronary heart disease.
Diet high in saturated fat. Saturated fat and cholesterol come from animal foods such as beef,
pork, veal, milk, eggs, butter, and cheese.
Sedentary lifestyle. Lack of exercise may increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol.
Regular physical activity may lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol levels.
Overweight. Excess weight may modestly increase your LDL (bad) cholesterol level.
Age and sex. Cholesterol generally rises slightly with increasing age, and men are more likely to
be affected than women.
Drinking alcohol excessively. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle.
Diabetes. Diabetes is a significant risk factor for all cardiovascular diseases.
Smoking. This applies not only if you smoke, but also if you live or work every day with people who
smoke.
Treatment options
Lifestyle changes such as changing diet, managing weight, increasing exercise, and quitting
smoking are the first steps to improving blood levels of cholesterol. If these changes are not
enough, your physician might recommend cholesterol-lowering prescription medication.
Medications to improve blood cholesterol levels include:
Statins - are the most widely used, and also the most powerful medications for lowering LDL
cholesterol. They work by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver. Statins not only lower

3. blood LDL cholesterol levels, they also modestly increase HDL cholesterol levels and modestly
decrease triglyceride levels. These medications are usually well tolerated, have few side effects,
and are taken once or twice a day. Currently, six statin drugs are available: atorvastatin (Lipitor),
fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and
rosuvastatin (Crestor).
Bile acid sequestrants - these drugs bind with cholesterol-containing bile acids in the intestines
and are then eliminated in the stool. They typically lower cholesterol by 10 to 20%. Small doses of
sequestrants can produce useful reductions in LDL cholesterol. Cholestyramine (Questran,
Questran Light), colestipol (Colestid), and colesevelam (WelChol) are the 3 main bile acid
sequestrants currently available. Bile acid resins are mainly used in young adults with
hypercholesterolemia or in combination with another cholesterol-lowering medication.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors - are a new class of cholesterol lowering agents approved in
2002. Drugs in this class work to lower blood cholesterol levels by absorbing excess cholesterol in
the intestines and thus blocking cholesterol's entry into the bloodstream. Ezetimibe (Zetia) is the
first drug in this class. Ezetimibe reduces LDL cholesterol by 18-20%. It is probably most useful in
people who cannot take statins or as an additional drug for people who take statins but who notice
side effects when the statin dose is increased. Adding ezetimibe to a statin is equivalent to
doubling or tripling the statin dose.
Nicotinic acid or niacin - this water-soluble B vitamin improves all lipoproteins when given in doses
well above the vitamin requirement. Nicotinic acid lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and
triglyceride levels, while raising HDL cholesterol levels. Niacin also widens blood vessels, making
flushing and hot flashes frequent side effects.
Fibrates - these cholesterol-lowering drugs are primarily effective in lowering triglycerides and, to a
lesser extent, increasing HDL cholesterol levels. These drugs include fenofibrate (Tricor) and
gemfibrozil (Lopid).
Yury Bayarski is the author of OriginalDrugs.com - website, offering patches and natural health
products. Please follow this link if you would like to read more about Cholesterol prescription
medications [http://www.originaldrugs.com/cholesterol-drugs.shtml]
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