In 2008 it was estimated that over 100 million American adults had a blood cholesterol level high enough to require medical advice. While Americans are getting more obese, the introduction of low risk cholesterol reducing drugs, like statins, have proven to lower cholesterol levels and fight heart disease.

There are things that can help you fight this problem. This article is designed to teach you how to do something about your cholesterol problems. First we will take a brief look at what cholesterol is and then we will show you how statin medications, prescribed by your doctor, can make you healthier. To treat high cholesterol there are many different types of statins, and we will review them for you.

Cholesterol a waxy, fat like substance shows itself naturally in cell membranes and walls throughout your body. Producing hormones is one of the uses of cholesterol. If there is too much cholesterol in your bloodstream problems begin to surface.

If it seems impossible to reduce your cholesterol levels using natural treatments your doctor may resolve to having you take cholesterol reducing medications like statins. Of these medications we will be focusing on statins. Even if you begin taking statins it is imperative that you follow through with natural, lifestyle treatments as well.

In order to know if you need these medications it is important you know both what statins are and also how they work to cut down your cholesterol levels in your body. HMG-CoA reductase is an enzyme in your body that is repressed by statins. This enzyme governs the rate cholesterol produces itself throughout your body. Anywhere from 20 to 60% is what statins are known to lower the body's cholesterol levels by. Statins are the only drug that can truly lower your body's Low Density Lipoprotein Levels (LDL). They do this by decreasing the production of cholesterol while at the same time increasing the liver's ability to retract the LDL.

While decreasing triglycerides and total cholesterol, statins can also create a moderate increase of High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). Within 4 to 6 weeks of starting the medications positive results are normally seen. Lowering heart attack risks, strokes, and other high cholesterol level related coronary diseases are what statins have been demonstrated to do.

You should not take statins if: you are allergic to statins themselves or their ingredients; you are pregnant or breastfeeding; you have liver disease; you regularly consume excessive amounts of alcohol; you have a history of myopathy; or if you have experienced renal failure.

Brand names of statins that you might recognize are Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Altocor, Pravahol, Zocor and Crestor. There are some drug and/or food interactions that you should be aware of. More than one quart of grapefruit juice per day can decrease the ability of the liver to process some statins. More importantly there may be other medications that can interact and cause serious side effects.

If you are taking prescription drugs or even OTC drugs such as: herbal supplements; medications for infections, immune system, heart failure, HIV or AIDS; birth control pills; Coumadin; or other cholesterol reducing drugs make sure to inform your doctor prior to using statins.

Side effects from statins are rare. If you experience muscle soreness, pain, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, discolored urine, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately.