Statin Drugs – Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor and others!
The statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are a class of drugs that lower cholesterol levels in people with or at risk of cardiovascular disease
They lower cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonate pathway of cholesterol synthesis. Inhibition of this enzyme in the liver results in decreased cholesterol synthesis as well as increased synthesis of LDL receptors, resulting in an increased clearance of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from the bloodstream. The first results can be seen after one week of use and the effect is maximal after four to six weeks.
Statins, the most potent cholesterol-lowering agents available, lower LDL cholesterol (so-called “bad cholesterol”) by 1.8 mmol/l. This translates in a 60% decrease in the number of cardiac events (heart attack, sudden cardiac death), and a 17% reduced risk of stroke. They have less effect than the fibrates or niacin in reducing triglycerides and raising HDL-cholesterol (”good cholesterol”). Professional guidelines generally require that the patient has tried a cholesterol-lowering diet before statin use is considered; statins or other pharmacologic agents may then be recommended for patients who do not meet their lipid-lowering goals through diet and lifestyle approaches.
The indications for the prescription of statins have broadened over the years. Initial studies, such as the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S), supported the use of statins in secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease, or as primary prevention only when the risk for cardiovascular disease was significantly raised (as indicated by the Framingham risk score). Indications were broadened considerably by studies such as the Heart Protection Study (HPS), which showed preventative effects of statin use in specific risk groups, such as diabetics. The ASTEROID trial, published in 2006, using only a statin at high dose, achieved lower than usual target calculated LDL values and showed disease regression within the coronary arteries using intravascular ultrasonography.
Based on clinical trials, the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines, and the increasing focus on aggressively lowering LDL-cholesterol, the statins continue to play an important role in both the primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral artery disease but inhibit natural CoQ10 production which is essential cellular energy for the heart and muscles. Statins can also had adverse effects to organs.
The wise alternative to taking statins or statin drugs such as lipitor, crestor and zocor and related active ingredients (Atorvastatin, Pravastatin and Simvastatin) is a natural health supplement – a heart health supplement with policosanol, CoQ10, selenium, folic acid, l-carnitin, oyster mushroom and taurine named HRT. Statins, like lipitor, crestor and zocor will reduce LDL cholesterol levels but that is the only positive thing statins do; the HRT product with policosanol will lower the LDL cholesterol levels, increase the good (HDL) cholesterol levels, provide CoQ10 to your body’s needs and many other heart health related advantages.
Nano Health
