Cholesterol travels through the blood attached to proteins.  Lipoproteins, as these groupings are called, are classified into three areas -  high density, low density, and very low density. 

          It is the Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) that can cause you problems.  This “bad” cholesterol can cause a buildup of plaque on the interior walls of arteries, increasing blood pressure and strain on the heart.  The more LDL present in the blood means more chances of heart disease.

          High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is the “good” cholesterol.  It actually helps the body get rid of the bad cholesterol.  The higher level of HDL in the blood, the better your chance of getting rid of LDL and decreasing your risk of heart disease.

          Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) might as well be called “very bad” cholesterol.  It contains mostly fat and few proteins.  VLDL is flushed by HDL in the system.

          Talk to your doctor about a simple blood test to measure your cholesterol level.  While there are home kits available, these tend to be less accurate than the tests performed in a proper medical facility.  Usually, these tests are conducted as part of a routine physical.

For most people, doctors like to see total cholesterol numbers below 200 mg/dL.  A healthy goal for HDL is over 40 mg/dL with LDL below 150 mg/dl.  Generally, a doctor likes to see high levels of good cholesterol and low levels of bad cholesterol.

          If your LDL level is high, your doctor can prescribe a variety of medication to help lower your cholesterol.  This daily regimen of drugs can help lower your LDL levels as well as raise your HDL levels.  Many of these drugs can also help reverse plaque buildups in arterial walls.

          Good healthy living is the best way to treat high cholesterol.  Good diet and regular exercise are two of the most important factors in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.  Unhealthy habits of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided to keep cholesterol low.  Obesity is also a major contributor to cholesterol, so losing weight is also an excellent way to lower LDL.
          In addition to a healthy, more active lifestyle, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol medication to chemically lower bad cholesterol levels.  One family of drugs is called the statins that typically lower LDL levels more than any other types of medications. Statins controls the production of cholesterol by the enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase.  By slowing the production of cholesterol, the liver is able to filter out the bad cholesterol already in the blood, thereby decreasing LDL levels.

          Another family of cholesterol medication is the bile acid sequestrants.  These drugs bind with bile acids that contain cholesterol as it passes through the digestive tract, preventing it from being absorbed by the body and into the bloodstream.  These drugs, when combined with statins, can significantly reduce the production and absorption of cholesterol in the body.

          Similar to the bile acid sequestrants, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, a class of drugs approved in 2002, also block cholesterol from being absorbed by the body.  These drugs are also often prescribed with statins.

          Niacin, a water soluble B-vitamin, helps production of good lipoproteins when doses exceed the recommended daily allowance.  Fibrates, drugs which contain high doses of natural fiber, also help to reduce cholesterol by speeding food through the digestive tract, preventing cholesterol absorption.

          By reading many of these descriptions of cholesterol medication types, you may be wondering about some potential side effects of these drugs.  One side effect common to all types of cholesterol medication is bowel problems, either constipation or diarrhea.  Since many of the medications described above prevent cholesterol in food from being absorbed by the body, normal digestion and excretion is upset by increasing non-absorbed cholesterol in the bowels and stool.  Many people taking medication for their cholesterol report some kind of lower gastrointestinal difficulty.

          Another potential side effect may be liver problems.  Since many of the medications are absorbed in the liver, and since cholesterol is filtered in the liver, upsetting the balance of the liver’s natural chemistry can lead to potential problems.  If you have a history of liver problems, consult with your doctor before taking any cholesterol medication.

          As an alternative to cholesterol medication, there are some foods and herbs that can also stimulate processing and purging of LDL.  Grilled garlic is an excellent antioxidant and helps cleanse the blood of all toxins.  Similarly, onion juice is also effective at reducing LDL levels.  Turmeric and curry leaves are also reported to help lower cholesterol as well as the Ayurveda herb guggulu (commiphora mukul).
         
          Remember, healthy living is the key to keeping cholesterol levels balanced.  You can control your cholesterol without medication and without the potentially harmful side effects though simple diet and exercise.  Talk to your doctor and make sure your cholesterol is where it should be.