Basic Information Concerning Statins, Cholesterol and Antioxidants

By: Justin Flowers

You may be aware that cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like sterol needed by all the cells in our bodies. It is synthesized by the liver and we also get it from particular foods. An excess of cholesterol in the blood can be a health risk and is a contributory cause of strokes, arteriosclerosis and heart attacks.

The rising use of statins has become a regular media topic, and they are thought to have contributed considerably to the profits of the pharmaceutical companies that developed them. Different statins have been produced, and they have been utilized to good effect in lowering the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), that is commonly referred to as bad cholesterol, as opposed to high-density lipoprotein (HDL), better known as good cholesterol.

Although statins are being extensively recommended by medics there are numerous people, including some trained nutritionists, who consider that there are preferable dietary ways of reducing high cholesterol. They consider that a healthy diet, with loads of antioxidants and vitamin rich fruit and vegetables, as part of a healthy routine, can bring about the necessary changes. Of course it would be an uninformed medical practitioner who did not propose lifestyle modifications, as required, as well as prescribing statins, but they would not necessarily include antioxidant advice.

It appears that the body of opinion, against the blanket use of statins, arises because they consider that the treatment is being established before more natural treatment, such as antioxidants, have been explored. Certainly, a fair number of those not in favor of the manner in which statins are applied, would not question their use if they were given after somebody had previously experienced a cardiovascular disorder. What they seem to question is using them to reduce bad cholesterol levels in healthy individuals, believing that more appropriate means should be tried first.

Your doctor could suggest statins, if a blood test has shown that your LDL level is a health risk, and could eventually show up as a cardiovascular disorder. Doctors are health professionals and the majority are more than willing to discuss their reasons for recommending whatever they prescribe. It can be frightening for a person to become aware that they are liable to suffer from cardiovascular disease, but it is almost sure not to happen the next day. In fact he may be giving you an early opportunity to avoid something that could occur within the next ten years.

Medical doctors are highly trained experts, who will generally be prepared to discuss their findings. It would be strange, if you were not at least as bothered about your own state of health, as your medical practitioner. The thing to do is to pay attention to advice and think about the implications. If you are already experienced in natural health issues, you might be aware of what issues to raise. If you require any type of drug for life, it is vital that you are aware of the side effects, as well as the benefits. If statins are being recommended, you may enquire if dietary changes, that might include antioxidants, could be tried instead. If you are advised that action is required on an urgent basis, take a short time to make your decision, even if it means another visit.

Surely people who assume a healthy lifestyle, including a diet that contains an abundance of antioxidant laden fruit and vegetables, are less prone to cardiovascular disease than the fast food brigade. Sadly, as far as the last named are involved there are big business requirements to feed the demand. Regardless of their curative effects statins too are a profit center, and whether you finally take them or decide not to, merits serious thought.

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J. Flowers creates articles regarding vegetarianism, aromatherapy, herbal remedies, antioxidants and allergies. To find out more about antioxidants please call at his web site www.antioxidantsadvice.com which contains information regarding Antioxidant Vitamin C, and much more.

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