By Beverleigh H Piepers
Statins are a group of anti-cholesterol medication primarily used for lowering elevated total cholesterol levels and LDL, a type of "bad" cholesterol.
Over the years, statins have served as the mainstay for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in people with Type 2 diabetes. In fact, as mentioned in a study published in October 2009 by the American Diabetes Association's official journal, Diabetes Care, statins must be added to the lifestyle therapy of anyone with diabetes regardless of their baseline lipid levels. As well, a study released in the October 2006 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology stated the cardiovascular outcome due to the use of statin therapy is significantly more positive in those diabetics who took this anti-cholesterol medication compared to those with Type 2 diabetes who had not been prescribed statins.
However, this is interesting to Type 2 diabetics: in a study, the results of which were published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine in March 2009, researchers noted the intake of statins may result in the elevation of fasting blood sugar levels of people with, and even without, diabetes!
As was also mentioned in an article published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the exact mechanism how statins cause an increase in blood sugar levels is still unclear. And it is still in question whether the hyperglycemia or high blood sugar noted in those people, is the result of a medication that was prescribed to them months earlier.
Here are the statin medications:
* atorvastatin (Lipitor, Advicor)
* simvastatin (Zocor, Lipex, Simcor, Vytorin)
* lovastatin (Mevacor)
* pravastatin (Pravachol)
* rosuvastatin (Crestor)
* fluvastatin (Lescol)
With this rising dilemma due to the intake of statins, there is still one question that still needs to be answered: "How else can cholesterol levels be reduced? "
1. Natural cholesterol reduction through lifestyle modification: Even without the existence of statins in the market, one of the best options for cholesterol control is still available for free: lifestyle modification. Shifting to:
* a low cholesterol
* low saturated-fat
* high fiber
diet is a must to lower the direct effects and the possible complications associated with high cholesterol levels.
Regular physical activity is also necessary to combat this problem. Another lifestyle modification that is very much needed is weight management. As mentioned by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, if you are overweight, losing those extra pounds can decrease the level of LDL.
2. Quit Smoking: The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute mentions that smoking can trigger the formation of plaques in the blood vessels resulting in atherosclerosis and possible heart attack. Smoking can also decrease the levels of HDL, the good cholesterol, resulting in an array of cardiovascular diseases.
3. Other medications for cholesterol control: Statins are not the only group of medications that can decrease the "bad" cholesterol within your body. Other medications that can effectively lower blood cholesterol levels include fibrates, niacin and omega-3 fatty acids.
Statins are a group of anti-cholesterol medication primarily used for lowering elevated total cholesterol levels and LDL, a type of "bad" cholesterol.
Over the years, statins have served as the mainstay for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in people with Type 2 diabetes. In fact, as mentioned in a study published in October 2009 by the American Diabetes Association's official journal, Diabetes Care, statins must be added to the lifestyle therapy of anyone with diabetes regardless of their baseline lipid levels. As well, a study released in the October 2006 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology stated the cardiovascular outcome due to the use of statin therapy is significantly more positive in those diabetics who took this anti-cholesterol medication compared to those with Type 2 diabetes who had not been prescribed statins.
However, this is interesting to Type 2 diabetics: in a study, the results of which were published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine in March 2009, researchers noted the intake of statins may result in the elevation of fasting blood sugar levels of people with, and even without, diabetes!
As was also mentioned in an article published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the exact mechanism how statins cause an increase in blood sugar levels is still unclear. And it is still in question whether the hyperglycemia or high blood sugar noted in those people, is the result of a medication that was prescribed to them months earlier.
Here are the statin medications:
* atorvastatin (Lipitor, Advicor)
* simvastatin (Zocor, Lipex, Simcor, Vytorin)
* lovastatin (Mevacor)
* pravastatin (Pravachol)
* rosuvastatin (Crestor)
* fluvastatin (Lescol)
With this rising dilemma due to the intake of statins, there is still one question that still needs to be answered: "How else can cholesterol levels be reduced? "
1. Natural cholesterol reduction through lifestyle modification: Even without the existence of statins in the market, one of the best options for cholesterol control is still available for free: lifestyle modification. Shifting to:
* a low cholesterol
* low saturated-fat
* high fiber
diet is a must to lower the direct effects and the possible complications associated with high cholesterol levels.
Regular physical activity is also necessary to combat this problem. Another lifestyle modification that is very much needed is weight management. As mentioned by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, if you are overweight, losing those extra pounds can decrease the level of LDL.
2. Quit Smoking: The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute mentions that smoking can trigger the formation of plaques in the blood vessels resulting in atherosclerosis and possible heart attack. Smoking can also decrease the levels of HDL, the good cholesterol, resulting in an array of cardiovascular diseases.
3. Other medications for cholesterol control: Statins are not the only group of medications that can decrease the "bad" cholesterol within your body. Other medications that can effectively lower blood cholesterol levels include fibrates, niacin and omega-3 fatty acids.
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