Natural Alternatives to Lipitor

by Marie | Aug 6, 2020 | High Blood Pressure | 0 comments

Lipitor is an FDA approved prescription medication used to lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and decreases the risk of heart attack, angina and stroke. Atorvastatin calcium is an active ingredient of Lipitor. Atorvastatin is prescribed along with a proper diet to lower LDL and raise HDL (“good” cholesterol). The medicine belongs to a class of drug known as statins. Atorvastatin Medicine reduces the cholesterol amount made by the liver. The medication works best when followed by adopting certain lifestyle changes like regular exercise, reducing weight, and stopping smoke.

Unhealthy Cholesterol Level in Americans

Data suggests that about 100 million adult Americans (age 20 or above) have an unhealthy cholesterol level. Lipitor or any atorvastatin tablet can lower LDL by 20 to 60% if taken correctly and 24 to 37% reduces the risk of heart attacks, angina, and stroke. Some doctors also find statins drug useful against osteoporosis and dementia health conditions.

Why opt Natural Alternatives to Lipitor?

Some patients who cannot tolerate cholesterol-lowering statins drug due to its side effects can go for natural remedies or alternates or nutraceuticals (special food or supplements with special health benefits) to control their cholesterol level. Garlic, bergamot, green tea are some of the useful options to consider according to a statement published in the “Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Some excerpts believe that certain foods and supplements can lower cholesterol in the body. Supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, red yeast rice, soy proteins, lupin, berberine and bergamot works wonder when taken by patients who find difficulty in taking statins drug. Though there is not sufficient evidence to say or showcase how well these foods and supplements work. As these all are natural methods, so they have been found safe as pe studies.

Natural remedies can work best even when the high-risk patients are showing no improvement after taking statins. To avoid any health complications, consult your physician to see if natural remedies and medication to go together in your case.

Muscle pain is one of the most common side effects associated with the statins drug. In such cases, patients who cannot tolerate statin drug are put on non-statin drugs like PCSK9 inhibitors and ezetimibe. Due to limited treatment options, considering supplements can help to lower cholesterol levels. Here the fact remains the same that natural remedies cannot replace statin therapy however due to no side effects of the natural remedies there is no harm to considering it.

Important Step to Consider Natural Alternatives – Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle therapy is the main key to improve unhealthy cholesterol levels naturally. This includes quitting tobacco in all forms. Selecting foods low in saturated fat, trans-fatty acids and cholesterol, omega-3, dietary/soluble fibre, plant stanols, soy protein, fish oil, healthy nuts and a regular walk and exercise is incredibly important.