Prescription Drugs To Lower LDL and Raise HDL – Exploring The Benefits and Risks

Prescription drugs to lower LDL and raise HDL have been around for a long time. The number of drugs on the market currently capable of accomplishing this task is very long with the number capable of doing well without producing side effects is very, very short. Nevertheless, doctors continue to prescribe these medications in record numbers, proclaiming that the benefits outweigh the risks. Let's look at the two major categories of prescription drugs to lower LDL and raise HDL.

Prescription strength niacin (nicotinic acid): Prescription strength niacin has been around since the late 1950s and some doctors still prefer this medication to newer alternatives. The body used niacin (a B vitamin) for the metabolism of carbohydrates. When taken in very large doses 375 mg per day or higher, niacin becomes a very effective, versatile, low cost drug that lowers LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels while raising HDL levels. When combined with other drugs to lower LDL and raise HDL niacin can reduce LDL cholesterol levels by 40 to 60 percent. But all is not utopia in niacin land and before you call your doctor's office, or load up on over the counter niacin, there is something you should know; high dose niacin can cause liver damage. It also has another unpleasant side effect of making the body resistant on insulin. It goes without saying that diabetes should steer clear of niacin.

Statins: Statins are the current darlings of the medical community. A recent research study dated 2010 stated that statin medication could cause type two diabetes. The medical communities response was swift stating that the benefits still outweigh the risks. My question is at what point does this not become the case? Nevertheless, let me climb down off of my soapbox to continue our discussion on drugs to lower LDL and raise HDL. Statins are known in medical terms as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. They dramatically lower LDL cholesterol anywhere from 40 to 65 percent and raise HDL around 10 percent. They are also effective in lowering blood lipid levels such as triglycerides. They produce these stellar results by blocking the enzyme needed for the body to produce cholesterol. Two of the major players are Crestor and Lipitor. Let's look at the numbers posted at Crestor.com and Lipitor.com to gain a better understanding.

*Crestor reduces LDL by 52 percent and raises HDL by 14 percent

*Lipitor: Lipitor reduces LDL from 40 to 60 percent; lowers triglycerides by 19 to 37 percent; and hold on to your hat for this one, raises HDL from 5 to 9 percent. Of course that is with the help of diet and exercise.

Are there any natural alternatives to prescription drugs to lower LDL and raise HDL? Yes, there are a number of natural cholesterol supplements which have shown to be effective in the battle against cholesterol. Many people who have embraced a more natural approach are finding that by adding a natural cholesterol supplement to their regime they have been able to balance out their HDL and LDL readings. These products are affordable, available without a prescription, and are considered to be very safe.