Here are popular high cholesterol treatment options

Hypercholesterolemia, commonly known as high cholesterol, means there are unwanted high levels of cholesterol in the blood stream that leads to the building up of plaque on the artery walls. High cholesterol treatment lowers LDL levels, which can be achieved either by following natural cholesterol remedies, lifestyle changes, or when necessary, with the use of medications.

Lifestyle changes
Doctors recommend changes in lifestyle for people who are looking for ways to reduce cholesterol quickly.

Achieving lower LDL cholesterol levels in such cases is accomplished by reducing the saturated fat to less than 7 percent of the total calories taken and by a reduction in the total fat intake and bringing this to 25 to 35 percent of the total calorie intake. Losing weight and doing regular exercise also helps in lowering cholesterol levels.

Medication to reduce cholesterol levels
A range of medications has also been advocated for achieving lower LDL cholesterol quickly. The medications recommended for reducing high cholesterol levels can be divided into four categories:

• Statins: When natural cholesterol remedies do not work, statins can be an option for high cholesterol-treatment. These lower LDL and triglycerides by blocking the liver from producing any further cholesterol. Statins are known to thin the blood; so physicians should always be closely monitoring patients who take such anticlotting agents.
• Bile acid sequestrants: Bile acid sequestrants are also recommended for lowering LDL cholesterol. These block reabsorption of fats and this result in LDL levels falling further.
• Fibrates: Fibrates are known to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Fibrates are usually recommended for patients who have elevated cholesterol levels and are want to know how to reduce cholesterol fast. Fibrates are known to be associated with muscle toxicity, especially in cases when they are used in combination with statin medication.
• Niacin: This lowers blood lipids at a dosage of 3 to 8 grams on any given day.

Sticking with high cholesterol-treatment options
A treatment of high cholesterol and triglycerides can be considered as a lifelong process. Medications are known to lower cholesterol levels; however, it takes about 6-12 months before any significant results show up. However, once results being to surface up, it is important that you stick up with the high cholesterol treatment plan.

Organizations/institutions that can be consulted to help in lowering cholesterol
Besides visiting hospitals, you can consult and seek remedies from the following to attain long-term relief and lower cholesterol quickly the natural way: National Library of Medicine (www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html), American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org), The Hormone Foundation (www.hormone.org), and The Framingham Heart Study ((www.framingham.com/).

Besides seeking medical treatment for the lowering of cholesterol levels, certain remedies can reduce cholesterol naturally. Here are few such ways if you want to know how to lower cholesterol without statins or any medications but in the natural way.

Use of fish oil
Different oily fish such as bluefish, salmon, and herring contain two of the most important fatty acids known as EPA and DHA. People suffering from high cholesterol should eat one to two servings of oily fish every week as it is known to reduce the triglyceride levels and will always reduce the risk of death from any of the coronary heart diseases.

For people who do not take much fish in their diet, a daily dose of 1 gram fish oil supplement is ideally recommended.

Use of soy protein
Soy protein is known to contain isoflavones, and a diet rich in soy protein is known to lower the total cholesterol level. However, you should not replace the normal proteins in your diet with soy protein to reduce cholesterol levels.

Plant stanols and sterols
Plant stanols and sterols are known to block the absorption of cholesterols in the intestine. These are found naturally in some fruits, vegetable oils, seeds, and legumes. These can also be found in commercially prepared products, some of which include rice milk as well as dietary supplements.

Garlic
Some people also use garlic as a part of natural cholesterol remedies. However, trials have shown that garlic is not much effective in reducing cholesterol levels. A study was done to prove this fact and participants with elevated LDL took one of several types of garlic extract six days per week for six months. This was compared with a group that took a placebo (an inactive pill). LDL levels did not improve among the group which took the garlic, and better results showed up with those taking placebo.