The word "cholesterol" makes many of us feel a little scared, doesn't it? Because we all know that if cholesterol is high, the chances of developing serious diseases like heart disease and stroke are higher. But the good news is, we can control this condition with a good diet and a healthy lifestyle. And if necessary, there are medications that the doctor can prescribe. With all this, doctors and scientists are still researching and finding new things about cholesterol. So let's see what they have discovered.
Not everyone is the same, now the treatment is special for you!
In the past, doctors thought that everyone's cholesterol levels should be the same. But now that view has changed. Now, when your doctor looks at your cholesterol report, he or she makes decisions based not only on those values, but also on your other risk factors for heart disease.
Imagine, yours:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar level
- Age
- Weight
He also cares about things like this. Simply put, if you have a high risk of heart disease, your doctor will likely advise you to keep your cholesterol levels as low as possible. This means that your treatment may be different from the treatment prescribed for your friend.
Exercise is the first medicine before medicine!
Let's say you have a little high cholesterol and a little high blood pressure, but your overall risk of heart disease is low. In that case, your doctor won't immediately prescribe you medication. According to the latest guidelines from the American Heart Association, the first line of treatment is to sit less and move more. That means exercising.
Physical activity can reduce the "bad" cholesterol, or LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) , in your blood by 3 to 6 milligrams (mg/dL). Not only that, it can also lower blood pressure.
The best way to get in a sweat is to do about 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. But don't think that much time is hard to find. Even just 5 or 10 minutes of exercise a day can make a big difference in your cholesterol levels. So make it a habit to do something every day, like walking or cycling.
Not just statins, there are other new treatments!
Doctors often prescribe a class of drugs called `Statins` as a treatment for cholesterol. But these drugs do not work for everyone. Some people do not get the expected results from these drugs, and others may experience side effects. If you have the same problem, do not worry. Now there are several other options for that.
Let's look at these new treatments in a table. That way it's easier to understand.
| Treatment method | How it works | Special points |
|---|---|---|
| PCSK9 inhibitors | A protein called PCSK9, produced by the liver, interferes with the removal of bad cholesterol (LDL) from the body. This drug blocks that PCSK9 protein. | A vaccine, usually given every 2 weeks, may be more effective than statins for people with familial hypercholesterolemia , a hereditary cholesterol disorder. |
| siRNA therapy (e.g. inclisiran) | This is a new technology. It's a way to treat disease by changing the way our genes work. This drug lowers LDL levels by affecting the gene that makes the PCSK9 protein. | A vaccine that is given every few months. Suitable for people with conditions such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) . |
| Bempedoic acid | Like statins, these drugs also work by making it difficult for the body to produce cholesterol. | This is taken as a pill. It can reduce LDL levels by about 15%. It is currently prescribed to people with a family history of cholesterol or ASCVD patients. |
Most importantly: Your doctor should decide whether these medications are right for you. Never start or stop taking medications on your own.
Nanotechnology 'eats' fat deposits in blood vessels
When cholesterol levels increase, fatty deposits (plaque) begin to build up inside our blood vessels, or arteries. This is medically known as `atherosclerosis.` Over time, these deposits obstruct blood flow and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
But scientists have now created a tiny thing that can "eat" these oil layers. It's called a `nanoparticle`. That is, an object so small that it's invisible to the naked eye. Although this is currently in the experimental stage, in the future a drug containing this `nanoparticle` may be used to treat `atherosclerosis`.
How gut health affects cholesterol
Researchers have long thought that the health of our intestines also affects cholesterol levels, but it wasn't clear exactly how that happened.
But now they have discovered that probiotics (good bacteria) and prebiotics (food for these good bacteria) can reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (another type of fat in the blood). In addition, these good bacteria in the gut can increase levels of "good" cholesterol, or HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) .
If you're interested in taking a probiotic or prebiotic supplement, talk to your doctor first. The dosage needed to achieve results is still being researched, and taking too much can cause stomach upset.
Take-Home Message
- Cholesterol control is unique to each individual. Treatment decisions are made based on not only your cholesterol levels, but also other risk factors. So always talk to your doctor.
- The first and most important step in any treatment is to make lifestyle changes, especially regular exercise .
- If the commonly used statins are not suitable for you, don't worry. There are now effective alternative treatments.
- More advanced treatments for cholesterol management can be expected in the future.
- Do not start any medication or supplement without consulting a doctor.
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