What can I take instead of statins to lower cholesterol?

Is there an alternative to statins for cholesterol?

There are many non-statin medications your doctor might prescribe: Bile acid-binding resins, like cholestyramine (Locholest, Prevalite, Questran), colesevelam (WelChol), and colestipol (Colestid) stick to cholesterol-rich bile acids in your intestines and lower your LDL levels.

How can I lower my cholesterol without statins?

What is a natural substitute for statin drugs?

What is safest cholesterol-lowering drug?

Fortunately, most side effects are mild and disappear promptly when the statin is stopped. In some cases, the problems will resolve simply by reducing the dose or switching to another statin, but care is required. Still, all in all, the statins are the safest and best tolerated of all cholesterol-lowering medications.

Alternatives to statin medications that help lower cholesterol without side effects

Can I refuse to take statins?

Our goal is to decrease your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. We know that for patients at high risk, statins can do this — and potentially save lives. Before you refuse to take a statin or stop taking a statin, consult your doctor.

Can you get off statins Once you start?

It's possible for some people to stop taking statins safely, but it can be especially risky for others. For instance, if you have a history of heart attack or stroke, it's not recommended that you stop taking these drugs. This is because you're more likely to have another such problem when you discontinue statins.

What is the fastest way to lower cholesterol naturally?

What is better than a statin?

Statins are a group of medications that lower a specific type of cholesterol level in your blood. The best alternatives to statins are PCSK9 inhibitors, fibric acid derivatives or fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, selective absorption inhibitors, nicotinic acid or niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids and fatty-acid esters.

How can I lower my LDL cholesterol naturally?

Does turmeric Lower cholesterol?

A review of controlled trials found that turmeric or its active component curcumin can lower total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL (Nutrition Journal, Oct. 11, 2017).

What is the fastest way to lower LDL cholesterol?

Fill Up on Fiber

Foods like oatmeal, apples, prunes, and beans are high in soluble fiber, which keeps your body from absorbing cholesterol. Research shows that people who ate 5 to 10 more grams of it each day saw a drop in their LDL. Eating more fiber also makes you feel full, so you won't crave snacks as much.

Is Benecol worth taking?

Bottom line: plant stanol ester in Benecol foods are proven to be an effective part of a balanced and varied and an overall healthy diet to lower cholesterol. 80 + clinical studies have proven that plant stanols in Benecol products actively lower cholesterol.

Why statins are not good for you?

While statins are highly effective and safe for most people, they have been linked to muscle pain, digestive problems and mental fuzziness in some people who take them and may rarely cause liver damage.

What is a good substitute for atorvastatin?

What is the newest cholesterol medication?

There's a new drug called Nexletol, and it's used for people with the highest risk. That's people with genetic or familial high cholesterol or those who have heart disease and further need to lower their cholesterol. It's called bempedoic acid. It works to lower the cholesterol your liver makes.

Is apple cider vinegar good for high cholesterol?

Apple cider vinegar is made from acetic acid, which may contribute to weight loss and health benefits such as lower blood sugar and healthier cholesterol levels.

Does vitamin D help reduce cholesterol?

The improvements in total cholesterol and triglycerides were more pronounced in participants with baseline vitamin D deficiency. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation appeared to have a beneficial effect on reducing serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels but not HDL cholesterol levels.

What are the warning signs of high cholesterol?

Do cardiologists take statins?

What a Cardiologist Wants You to Know. About 35 million people take statins in the United States, but research says only 55% of those who are recommended to take a statin are taking one.

Do statins make you gain weight?

As with many medications, statins may cause side effects, including digestive problems, muscle pain and weakness, and cognitive dysfunction. Another side effect that's been linked to statins is weight gain.

How high should cholesterol be before taking statins?

Providers prescribe statins for people who: Have high cholesterol (LDL above 190 mg/dL) that exercise and diet changes couldn't reduce. Had a stroke, heart attack or peripheral artery disease. Have diabetes and an LDL of at least 70 mg/dL and are 40 to 75 years old.

Do I really need a statin?

If your risk is very low, you probably won't need a statin, unless your LDL is above 190 mg/dL (4.92 mmol/L). If your risk is very high — for example, you've had a heart attack in the past — a statin may be helpful even if you don't have high cholesterol.

Is there an alternative to Benecol?

Benecol products are also not intended for people who do not need to control their blood cholesterol, so if your levels aren't elevated, you might like to enjoy a regular vegetable oil spread such as olive, rapeseed or soya, low fat dairy yogurts or plant-based alternatives.

Is it OK to eat yogurt with high cholesterol?

Harvard Health Publishing also says that low-fat yogurt is a good choice if you have high cholesterol.