| Having an abnormally high cholesterol level can put | | | | vitamins that help the body convert |
| one at risk of developing heart disease. It won't | | | | carbohydrates into glucose which is used in the |
| be an instant thing; heart disease can gradually | | | | body for energy. The B vitamins are also |
| develop as a person ages and as one continues | | | | important in the breakdown of body fat and |
| to maintain a very high cholesterol level. If you | | | | protein as well as in the aid in making the nervous |
| plan to live well over your years, then lowering | | | | system, skin, eyes, hair, mouth, and liver healthy. |
| your cholesterol levels at the earliest time possible | | | | Niacin also helps the body in getting rid of toxic |
| will be able to help you achieve your goal. | | | | and harmful chemicals. |
| There are certain medications available in the | | | | Niacin has also been found to increase the effects |
| market today that aim to lower cholesterol levels. | | | | of other cholesterol reducing drugs. But such an |
| They are grouped in different classes most | | | | effect would only be possible if niacin is taken in |
| notable of which are HMG-CoA Inhibitors or | | | | large doses. But people are also warned to be |
| otherwise known as "statins". The drugs belonging | | | | careful of trying to lower their cholesterol levels |
| in this group try to block the enzyme HMG-CoA, | | | | by taking in large doses of Niacin. Large amounts |
| which functions as one of the steps required to | | | | of this B vitamin can cause flushing of the skin |
| convert fat into cholesterol. Statins are known to | | | | due to dilating blood vessels as well as other side |
| be the most effective cholesterol lowering agent | | | | effects such as itching, headaches, nausea and |
| to date and have become a great help to people | | | | muscle cramps. |
| requiring drastic reduction of their cholesterol | | | | Other vitamins and substances also credited in |
| levels. | | | | helping the body lower its cholesterol levels is |
| There are also cholesterol lowering drugs called | | | | Lecithin and vitamins C and E. Lecithin works by |
| bile acid sequestrants that work by binding itself | | | | allowing fats and cholesterol to be dispersed from |
| with the bile produced by the human liver. Bile is | | | | the body and help prevent fatty buildup in the |
| the substance that aids in the digestion system | | | | arteries. Vitamins C and E have also shown to |
| and in the absorption of fats in the intestine. Bile | | | | help in trying to help prevent heart disease by |
| acid sequestrants prevent the formation of | | | | protecting LDL cholesterol from damage. Although |
| cholesterol by preventing bile acid from digesting | | | | LDL cholesterol is also known as the "bad" |
| fats. | | | | cholesterol, most cardiologists believe that only |
| There are also vitamins that help lower cholesterol | | | | damaged LDL contributes to the increasing risk of |
| levels. Most prominent among them is Vitamin B3 | | | | heart disease. |
| or niacin. Niacin is one of the eight water-soluble B | | | | |