What can be done to lower one's level of cholesterol? ANSWER:

Lowering high levels of cholesterol is important because high cholesterol is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Whereas high levels of LDLs are a risk factor of cardiovascular disease, high levels of HDLs are considered to be a protective factor. What is important is not the overall cholesterol number, but the ratio of LDLs to HDLs. LDLs can be lowered and HDLs raised through a variety of
interventions. Exercising, controlling one's weight, and eating a diet high in fiber are all important components. If diet and exercise are not effective in lowering cholesterol, however, there are numerous medications available. Most of these drugs come from a family of medications called statins. These medications can lower LDLs and moderately increase HDLs. However, these drugs can have side effects on liver functioning. Therefore, patients taking these medications should be monitored on a regular basis.

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