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Statins are a class of lipid-lowering drugs that reduce serum cholesterol levels by inhibiting a key enzyme that makes cholesterol. Statins lower overall blood cholesterol as well as blood LDL cholesterol counts. LDL is believed to be the "bad" cholesterol. They say taking statins can even reverse coronary artery disease but that depends on how much damage has already taken place to the arteries. Statins don’t come without some form of penalty. They can cause muscle inflammation or other reactions. Not all people who have heart attacks have high cholesterol but over all it’s better to attempt prevention of high cholesterol levels at a young age rather than later by the use of statins. That means good diet and liver/blood checks to make sure the liver fats are not too high.
Statins are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, meaning they block the action of this enzyme. HMG-CoA reductase is the rate limiting (controlling) of cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver. A consequence of the decreased cholesterol production is an increase in the amount of LDL receptors. These receptors help the body rid the blood of LDL and VLDL. This helps ensure that the HDL:LDL is at a desireable ratio.
Statins are used to lower the blood cholesterol level of a patient. They work by inhibiting the production of a substance, created in the liver, that is used to make cholesterol. Long-term statin use can also help reduce any existing plaque (cholesterol buildups) in the arteries.
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