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Managing Abnormal Blood Lipid Profile and Health with Medications and Supplements
Having an abnormal blood lipid profile can have a big impact on your health and wellbeing. If left untreated, it can increase your risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, and other health problems. To combat this, understanding the medications and supplements available is key. Here, we’ll discuss the common medications and supplements that can help manage abnormal blood lipids and help improve your health.
What Causes Abnormal Blood Lipids?
A person’s blood lipids refer to the total amount of the different types of fat molecules in the blood, including cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids. An abnormal blood lipid profile occurs when the ratios of these different types of lipids are out of balance. This can cause a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and other health issues. Common factors that influence an abnormal blood lipids include:
- Unhealthy diet
- High alcohol consumption
- Insufficient physical activity
- Smoking
- Age
- Family history of high cholesterol
Medications and Supplements Commonly Used to Manage Abnormal Blood Lipids
High cholesterol, triglycerides, and other blood lipids can be managed with certain medications and supplements. Common medications and supplements that can be used to maintain a healthy blood lipid profile include:
- Statins: Statins are the most commonly prescribed type of cholesterol drug. They work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that helps produce cholesterol. Statins are effective at reducing Total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
- Fibrates: Fibrates are another type of cholesterol drug. They work by reducing both triglyceride levels and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are often used to Reduce triglyceride levels in the blood.
- Niacin: Niacin is a form of vitamin B3 that can be used for cholesterol management. It can help reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while raising HDL (good) cholesterol.
- Plant sterols: Plant sterols, like those found in fortified orange juice, can help reduce LDL cholesterol while having minimal impact on HDL cholesterol levels.
- Garlic: Garlic has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels in some studies. It can also help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation.
These medications and supplements can be used as part of a comprehensive plan to lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and other blood lipids that may be affecting your health.
Conclusion
Managing an abnormal blood lipid profile is important for maintaining overall health and wellbeing. There are a number of medications and supplements that can be used to improve blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and other blood lipids. Including some combination of statins, fibrates, omega-3 fatty acids, niacin, plant sterols, and garlic can help improve your lipid profile. Talk to your doctor to determine which medications and supplements are best for managing your abnormal blood lipids.
