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Treatment of high cholesterol: the most common methods
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025

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Today, the treatment of high cholesterol is the focus of the global medical community and is the subject of many scientific studies, since high cholesterol, also known as hypercholesterolemia, is a key risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and stroke.
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Treatment of high cholesterol with medications
It should be noted that the treatment of high cholesterol with drugs has its own characteristics, since high cholesterol (cholesterol or lipoprotein) has no symptoms. The only way to detect it is a blood test.
It is the excess content of protein-fat compounds in the blood plasma that creates the prerequisites for the formation of fatty deposits in the blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits begin to reduce the dynamics of blood flow, as a result of which the heart and brain do not receive enough oxygen-rich blood.
It is known that hypercholesterolemia can be inherited, but most often it is the result of an unhealthy lifestyle that has to be treated. When it comes to drug therapy for this pathology, it means treating elevated LDL cholesterol. What is LDL? These are low-density lipoproteins with a high content of lipids and cholesterol, which move it from the liver to the cells. Excess lipids that are not used by the cells and are subject to peroxidation, and blood vessels suffer. There are also very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), which contain triglycerides - a special class of fats consisting of compounds of esters of monobasic fatty acids and glycerol. If their level is elevated, this leads to hypertriglyceridemia, which is also very harmful to blood vessels.
Treatment of high cholesterol with medications is carried out using agents that reduce its level in the blood - hypolipidemic drugs of various pharmacological groups.
Gemfibrozil (other trade names - Gevilon, Hypolixan, Lopid, Normolip) is a derivative of fibric acid, available in tablets of 450 mg and capsules of 300 mg. Standard dosage: twice a day, one tablet or capsule - in the morning and in the evening (half an hour before meals). Contraindications to this drug include gallbladder pathologies and pregnancy, and side effects include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, and a decrease in the white blood cell count. Medicines with similar effects include Clofibrate and Fenofibrate (Trikor).
Nicotinic acid (niacin, vitamin B3 or PP) in 0.05 g tablets also reduces LDL levels. It is recommended to take 2-6 g per day (after meals) in three doses. To prevent fatty liver disease, methionine should be taken at the same time. In addition to an increase in liver transaminases, there may be side effects such as headache, short-term pain in the face and upper body, nausea, decreased blood pressure, and an increase in uric acid in the blood.
Treatment of elevated LDL cholesterol involves the use of drugs that bind bile acids in the intestine, causing the liver to use the already accumulated cholesterol to produce them. These drugs belong to the group of bile acid sequestrants. Cholestyramine (other trade names - Cholestyramine, Questran, Cholestan) in the form of powder for internal use is usually prescribed 4 g (one teaspoon) twice a day, the maximum daily dose is 16 g. Taking this drug to lower cholesterol may be accompanied by dyspeptic symptoms.
Statin drugs - Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Fluvastatin (Lescol), Pravastatin (Lipostat), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), Simvastatin (Zocor) - work to lower LDL by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver.
For example, Rosuvastatin (tablets of 5, 10 and 20 mg) is prescribed at 5-10 mg per day (at one time). Contraindications for prescribing statins are active forms of liver pathologies, kidney dysfunction. The use of hypolipidemic agents of this group requires constant monitoring of the liver condition.
Side effects of statins include periodic and constant pain (headache, muscle pain, epigastric pain); intestinal problems; insomnia and general malaise; various allergic reactions. In addition, in the summer of 2014, Italian researchers published the results of a study in the journal Diabetes Care on the risk of developing diabetes associated with the use of statins. And at the end of 2014, a group of Canadian researchers from the University of British Columbia reported that, as it turned out, the use of statins increases the risk of developing cataracts by almost 27%. However, in both cases, the authors of the studies concluded that the benefits of these drugs for the heart and vascular system significantly outweigh the risks. However, the debate about the proportionality of the benefits and side effects of these drugs continues.
To reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine - as a second-line therapy for those who do not benefit from or are contraindicated by statins - the drug Ezetimibe (Ezetrol) in tablets of 10 mg is intended. The recommended dose is 10 mg once a day. Adverse effects of this drug can be expressed by headache, nausea, intestinal disorders (diarrhea, constipation, flatulence), abdominal pain. Ezetimibe is contraindicated in severe liver diseases and during pregnancy.
Treatment of high cholesterol with folk remedies
The simplest of what can be used to treat high cholesterol using folk remedies is green tea, rich in catechins - epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin (EC) and gallocatechin (GC).
Being derivatives of gallic acid, a powerful antioxidant, these substances, firstly, reduce the concentration of malonic dialdehyde (a product of lipid peroxidation), malonic-modified LDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol in the blood. Secondly, they inhibit the process of fat accumulation in the liver. Thirdly, green tea catechins are strong inhibitors of the enzyme squalene epoxidase, with the participation of which cholesterol is synthesized from the protein acetate-CoA-transferase and squalene. So regular consumption of green tea (not tea bags, but made from classic brewing) will help with high cholesterol.
Due to the high content of niacin, which was already mentioned above, decoctions of chamomile, burdock root, fennel seeds, eyebright herb, horsetail, mullein, stinging nettle leaves, dandelion, garden raspberry, peppermint leaves and flowers and red clover, as well as rose hips (rich in vitamin C) can help with hypercholesterolemia.
But fireweed (narrow-leaved fireweed) helps reduce the absorption of exogenous (food-borne) cholesterol in the intestines, as this plant contains the plant sterol beta-sitosterol. Fireweed herb (dry, crushed) should be brewed like tea and drunk at least one glass daily for three weeks. After a 7-day break, the course can be repeated.
Also, phytosterols, which reduce LDL levels, are found in sea buckthorn and corn oil, which traditional healers recommend consuming one teaspoon or dessert spoon per day.
Treating High Cholesterol with Diet
Treating high cholesterol with diet essentially means eating healthy. Cereals, vegetables, and fruits should account for 70% of your diet; the remaining third of calories can come from meat and dairy products.
Yes, this way to reduce high cholesterol is quite long, but the only correct one: the less cholesterol in food, the lower its content in the blood. Beef and mutton fat and all fatty meats are subject to complete exclusion. It is necessary to limit the consumption of such products as whole milk, cream, sour cream and butter as much as possible. You should not eat more than three chicken eggs per week.
In addition, it is necessary to include in the diet:
- essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), which are contained in fatty and semi-fatty sea fish, fish oil, flax seeds and flaxseed oil, sunflower oil and sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds;
- fiber (bran bread, whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, spicy and flavorful herbs);
- pectin substances (which are abundant in apples, quince, pears, plums, citrus fruits, pumpkin, beets, carrots, eggplants, and sweet peppers);
- vitamin PP (it is found in sufficient quantities in beef liver, hard cheeses, eggs, baker's yeast, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, dates).
It is healthier to eat 4-5 times a day in smaller portions, and drink 1.5-1.8 liters of water (not mineral) per day.
The combination of all methods should make the treatment of high cholesterol more effective so that fat does not remain in the blood for too long and does not settle in the blood vessels.