How can LDL cholesterol levels be lowered?
In order to lower LDL cholesterol, the activity level of the LDL receptors must be increased. LDL receptor activities can be increased by diets that are low in cholesterol and saturated fats and by medications. Therapeutic lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol Lowering LDL cholesterol involves losing excess weight, exercising regularly, and following a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. (Please visit the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) section (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd/lifestyles.htm) for more detailed information on diet and exercise to lower blood cholesterol.) Medications to lower cholesterol Medications are prescribed when lifestyle changes cannot reduce the LDL cholesterol to desired levels. The most effective and widely used medications to lower LDL cholesterol are called statins. Most of the large controlled trials that demonstrated the heart attack and stroke prevention benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol used one of the statins. Other medications used
