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Cholesterol Lowering
Drugs
QUESTION:
I
have tried 4 or 5 kinds of Cholesterol pills and I couldn't
take them. My Doctor now gave me Zetia {EZETROL, EZETIMIBE}
and I want to know how safe it is and what are the side effects.
Do you think it would be safer to take the Vitamin B? Thank
you, Valeta
ANSWER:
Dear Valeta, Thanks for your inquiry. Your liver makes all the cholesterol
that it needs on a daily basis (approximately 200-300mg daily),
which it uses to make essential hormones. The ideal Total Cholesterol
blood level is 160-180 mg/dl. The Statin group of drugs, like Lipitor,
Zocor, Mevacor, Lescol, Baycol and Pravachol, stop cholesterol production
by blocking the liver enzyme known as HMG-Co Reductase. These drugs
are associated with multiple side effects including Muscle Pain;
Liver Damage; Kidney Failure: Abdominal Pain; Gas; Diarrhea and
a deficiency of the essential heart nutrient known as Co Enzyme
Q10.
For more information about Cholesterol Lowering Drugs and their
side effects, click
here.
Zetia reduces cholesterol by blocking the absorption of cholesterol
in the small intestines. It will only help if you are eating a lot
of cholesterol in your diet. You can derive the same results by
eliminating cholesterol fats from your diet, found mainly in red
meat, milk products and eggs. The benefit of Zetia was only tested
in a 2-week clinical study in 18 patients with high cholesterol.
In this study Zetia inhibited intestinal cholesterol absorption
by 54%, compared with placebo. The main concern with Zetia is that
it will also inhibit the absorption of other essential fat soluble
vitamins, including vitamins A, D, and E, even though, a small study
of 113 patients showed no clinically meaningful decrease in the
plasma concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins. For information about
natural alternatives to drugs to balance cholesterol, click
here.
Best in health,
Dr. Hansen
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