Elevated levels of cholesterol can be dangerous because they can cause atherosclerosis. Many prescription medications can be used to lower cholesterol levels, but vitamin C may also be effective at lowering cholesterol levels. Talk to your doctor before you take vitamin C supplements as a treatment for high cholesterol.
Cholesterol Synthesis
Some of the cholesterol in your body comes from the foods that you eat, but a significant amount is manufactured by your liver. Cholesterol is made via a series of different chemical reactions that take place in your liver. These reactions are all controlled by special proteins known as enzymes. One enzyme, known as HMG CoA reductase is particularly important for making cholesterol.
Crestor and HMG CoA Reductase
Crestor is a member of the statin family of drugs, which are prescription medications that are used to lower cholesterol levels. Statins all work by inhibiting the action of HMG CoA reductase, making it harder for your liver to make cholesterol. Rosuvastatin is typically taken once per day and can cause constipation, heartburn, cough, trouble falling asleep, joint pain, dizziness and depression.
Vitamin C and HMG CoA Reductase
Vitamin C may also be able to affect the activity of HMG CoA reductase in the body. According to "The Vitamin C Council," vitamin C is able to lower cholesterol levels in the body by inhibiting the activity of HMG CoA reductase. However, a study published in a 1998 issue of "Metabolism" found that low vitamin C levels also reduced the activity of HMG CoA reductase, though this study also found that feeding guinea pigs low amounts of vitamin C increased their cholesterol levels.
Considerations
Crestor is a carefully researched medication that is proven to lower cholesterol levels. However, it can cause serious side effects, including muscle breakdown and liver damage. Vitamin C may mimic some of the effects of Crestor, but there are no reliable scientific studies that have examined the effects of vitamin C on human cholesterol levels. Talk to your doctor before you take vitamin C supplements.
References
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Cholesterol Synthesis
- PubMed Health: Rosuvastatin
- The Vitamin C Foundation: Nature's Perfect Statin
- "Metabolism"; Regulation of apolipoprotein B---containing lipoproteins by vitamin C level and dietary fat saturation in guinea pigs; Carlos E. Montano, et al.; Dec. 19, 1997
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