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| Colestid |
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Review
Summary |
 Many of us are currently looking to tame our cholesterol levels, because our doctor or health care provider let us know that our blood cholesterol levels were too high. This issue has become a concern for many Americans, due to our propensity for a high fat diet, but for some individuals, it is believed to be a matter of genetics. Some of us at first may think that we have to eradicate cholesterol, but that is not the case – the body needs cholesterol to work properly.
However, when the body has too much of this fat-like substance, it starts to take up residence along the artery walls, putting us at risk of heart disease. Diet and exercise are often used to try to control this issue. Also, some people have started using holistic supplements, such as Plant Sterols, to naturally lower their cholesterol levels.
Doctors often prescribe medications when dietary changes don’t produce results, but they also often use them as a preventative. Colestipol is the generic name for a cholesterol-lowering drug which has been available since 1977. It is often marketed under the brand name, Colestid. There are many classes of cholesterol-lowering drugs, which use different methods to lower blood cholesterol levels.
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| Medication at a Glance |
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Colestipol is manufactured by Pfizer, who has also developed a variety of other cholesterol-lowering medications. Colestipol belongs to a category of drugs, which are commonly known as Bile Acid Sequestrants, and it is usually used along with lifestyle changes, such as a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats, restricted alcohol use, weight loss and a comprehensive exercise routine.
Individuals usually take it once or twice a day, depending upon the results from their cholesterol blood panel. It is said it should also be taken with a meal and lots of water, so that people may avoid side effects, such as constipation. Gastrointestinal issues are a common occurrence with this medication, and it is an issue we will discuss later.
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| Medication in Focus |
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Colestipol is a Bile Acid Sequestrant, which means that it uses a different avenue to lower cholesterol than other drugs, such as Statins, which directly affect the liver. This cholesterol-lowering agent directly affects bile acids, which are manufactured by the liver, and then secreted through the bile ducts into the intestines. This may seem like it has nothing to do with cholesterol, but it does - the liver uses cholesterol to create the bile acids.
Colestipol binds the bile in the intestines, and allows it to be passed out of the body before the body may use it, which forces the liver to create more to replace what has been excreted, by using more cholesterol. This process then removes more and more cholesterol from the body. This binding process is reminiscent of how Plant Sterols work to lower cholesterol levels, but they have a simpler mechanism of action. They mimic cholesterol in the intestine, which allows it to be absorbed, while the cholesterol is excreted without being digested, thereby lowering cholesterol.
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| Lifestyle |
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Colestipol has been shown to cause constipation, diarrhea and flatulence in some individuals. These side effects are said to be localized to the stomach, because this medication stays in the gut, thereby limiting its side effects to that area. However, many individuals have reported that these side effects have seriously limited their ability to function normally, because they create a situation where they have to suddenly find a bathroom, or they experience an embarrassing incident at work or at a social gathering.
We know that when compared with the side effects associated with Statins, these side effects may actually seem to be much more benign, but in realty, this medication is often teamed up with Statins, which may increase the risk and intensity of side effects. When confronted with these side effects, many people have started looking at holistic alternatives, which have been shown to be highly effective. For instance, Plant Sterols have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels in some people by up to 40% - without side effects. These results are actually on par with those achieved with pharmaceutical-grade medications.
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| Positives |
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• May lower cholesterol for some individuals
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| Negatives |
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• Has not currently been shown to raise the level of good cholesterol
• May have many side effects for some people, such as constipation, stomach upset and loss of appetite
• Other potentially serious side effects include unusual bruising or bleeding in some individuals
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| Final Thoughts |
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Colestipol has been shown to assist people in lowering their risk of heart attack and stroke by lowering cholesterol levels. However, there are reportedly many potentially lifestyle compromising digestive and intestinal side effects associated with its use, and it is important to note that this class of drugs is often teamed up with Statin drugs, which may also have some severe and wide-ranging side effects. Many individuals who are actively using these medications report that they feel as if they have traded one set of problems for another.
Our findings show that many people, when they find out they have elevated levels of bad cholesterol, seek out holistic supplements before they begin taking medications. These individuals have reported that extracts, such as Plant Sterols, have enabled them to significantly lower their levels of bad cholesterol, while increasing their levels of good cholesterol - without side effects. In fact, Plant Sterols have been highlighted by the American Heart Association as being able to reduce heart related problems, and the FDA has allowed developers to promote their heart healthy and cholesterol-lowering abilities, an unprecedented development.
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| Our
Reader's Poll Top Choice: |
Week
of: Tue Jan 06th, 2009 |
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CholesterClear®:
CholesterClear® -
Imagine lowering your Cholesterol levels while still being able to eat the foods you love. CholesterClear® is an awesome product which literally blocks the bad cholesterol from being absorbed by the body. It does this naturally and safely because it contains certified organic highly concentrated plant sterols which have been clinically proven to effectively block 42% of the cholesterol in your food from being digested. This substance has been approved by the FDA and American Medical Association as being effective in lowering and preventing high Cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels. With over 1200 published studies declaring it works, how can you go wrong with this? Prescriptions that fight Cholesterol levels also have some ugly negative side effects associated with them – so we recommend checking this product out because it has no side effects what-so-ever. Click Here to read our full review. |
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