Simvastatin, sold under the brand name Zocor, is a prescription drug used to lower high cholesterol (fatty substances) in the blood, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is usually prescribed if changes in diet and lifestyle have failed to reduce...
You have more than one type of cholesterol, each requiring a different medication, or combination of medications, to effectively lower your cholesterol levels. It is never a "one size fits all" situation, and in some cases, your doctor may need to...
A combination of diabetes and high cholesterol would put you at an elevated risk for developing heart disease. Additional risk factors include your age, gender, medical conditions such as high blood pressure or blocked arteries and a family...
High cholesterol is a potentially dangerous condition, increasing your risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke. While following a diet low in saturated fat, getting regular exercise and sometimes taking prescription medication can help...
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that occurs naturally in the body, but it is also present in many of the foods you eat. When cholesterol levels are too high, it increases your risk for heart disease. Ideally, your total blood cholesterol level...
High cholesterol is a serious medical condition. The American Heart Association states that high cholesterol puts you at increased risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Therefore, it's important to take steps to control your...
Artichoke is one of the oldest known medicinal plants that has been used as a food and medicine for thousands of years for a wide range of conditions, such as liver disorders, jaundice, and indigestion. Artichoke is now being tested for use for...
Garlic is touted for benefits beyond the flavor it adds to foods. This herb is purported to play a positive role in medical conditions such as high cholesterol and has been the subject of numerous scientific studies. Results on garlic's effect on...
Your body needs cholesterol in moderation for nerve function, cell membrane creation and hormone production. However, high levels of cholesterol in your blood can lead to potentially serious health problems, including mental impairment, heart...
With the number of individuals suffering from high cholesterol continuing to rise, natural solutions to the issue continue to attract attention. Fish oils stand out as an excellent source of omega-3s, healthy fats that demonstrate an ability to...
Of the 62 million women of childbearing age in the United States, 28 percent used oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, for pregnancy prevention between 2006 and 2008, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Women under age 30 most often...
Birth control pills come in multiple forms consisting of different mixtures of reproductive hormones. Although birth control pills are widely used and effective, like all medications there are risks and benefits associated with their use. Birth...
The health benefits attributed to garlic are legion. At various times, garlic has been touted as an antifungal, an antibacterial, an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory, an energy booster, an immunostimulant and a detoxifier. Garlic has been...
According to MayoClinic.com, niacin is the single most effective way to raise HDL levels. In fact, niacin can raise HDL cholesterol by up to 35 percent. However, taking this B vitamin does cause some side effects, including skin flushing,...
It is important to reduce high cholesterol. More than 100 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 35 million of them have cholesterol levels high enough to put...
Garlic can be taken as a supplement in pill form to help treat and prevent a number of conditions. While studies suggest the herbal remedy can have a number of positive effects, there has been no definitive link between garlic and its promoted...
There are several types of birth control and certain forms can have a direct effect on cholesterol levels. The pill is the most common form of birth control that can affect cholesterol readings. If you suffer from high cholesterol, speak with your...
Your physician may recommend that you take supplements of omega-3-acid ethyl esters to help lower your cholesterol levels. Omega-3 pills generally come from the oil produced by fish, but also may come from plant oils and nuts. The pills may...
Fish oil pills can be beneficial to your health, as they contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to raise HDL, the healthy cholesterol, to higher levels. If your doctor has recommended that you begin a regimen of taking...
Cholesterol is a type of fat that's made by the body and is also contained in many foods. While cholesterol is a normal and necessary part of your body's daily function, too much cholesterol can build up in your arteries, increasing your risk of...
Cholesterol is necessary to your body's proper functioning, explains Martica Heaner, M.A., M.Ed., of MSN Health and Fitness. It is essential for healthy cells and production of certain hormones. It can reach an unhealthy level due to genetics, a...
High cholesterol causes fatty deposits to gather in the blood vessels that can lead to blockages and cause a stroke or heart attack. According to the Mayo Clinic, high cholesterol may be partly genetic, but primarily occurs as a result of poor...
Manufacturers make apple cider vinegar by pressing the apples and obtaining the fresh juice, which is then naturally fermented past the sweet and dry cider stage until it becomes vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is undistilled, which means it has not...
Garlic is used for both culinary and medicinal qualities. Allicin, garlic's key ingredient, is responsible for its pungent odor. For optimal health benefit, garlic should be consumed raw or as a standardized preparation. Clinical research found...
Cholesterol and triglycerides are important fats found in your blood that help maintain your heart health. Both of them circulate in the blood as lipoproteins, which are formed when they combine with proteins and other compounds. Examples of...
Constipation is a condition in which you have difficulty having a bowel movement. Normally, food passes through the digestive system and gets formed into stool, which collects in the rectum until it is passed out of the body through the anus. The...
Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia are both considered to be life-long and chronic illnesses without a cure. As a result, if you have either illness, you need to find methods for managing your symptoms and regaining your personal functionality....
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found on the surface of cell membranes. The body makes hormones, vitamin D and other substances that interact with the cholesterol in your body. The limits set in the consumption of cholesterol are due to the fact...
It is no wonder many people want to learn how to incorporate garlic into the diet. Garlic is one of the world's healthiest foods. The herb is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, but it also shows promise for improving cardiovascular...
