Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in all the cells of our body. It is essential for the proper functioning and production of hormones like vitamin D and pepsin. Cholesterol is also found in food items from animal sources like egg yolk, cheese, and meat. Even our body is capable of generating all the cholesterol it requires. The thing with cholesterol is to maintain its equilibrium as too much of it tends to combine with other food substances in the blood and form plaque which eventually sticks to the arteries, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis.

But as it is said there is always a solution to a problem. Likewise, cholesterol can be easily eliminated by many methods. One being, use of prescribed drugs like statins that function by inhibiting an enzyme needed to produce cholesterol. But with the interaction of these drugs, specific food products can turn out to be very dangerous causing severe side effects like joint aches, muscle pain, vomiting, increased blood sugar, kidney damage and many unexpected neurological side effects. It has also been reported that statins can cause a breakdown in muscle cells leading to permanent muscle damage.

Alternative to statins

• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
  If statins are not your savior, then a common alternative to statins is cholesterol absorption inhibitor. These drugs function by preventing your small intestine from properly absorbing the cholesterol you consume. It is pretty evident that what is not absorbed cannot reach your bloodstream. One such inhibitor is “Ezetimibe” which when combined with a low-fat diet helps reduce cholesterol efficiently.
• Resins
  Other common alternatives to statins are sequestrants or acid-binding resins. They are efficient and function by binding itself with the bile in your intestines, blocking cholesterol absorption to a great extent. Another common prescription for treating cholesterol is the intake of balanced proportions of niacin or vitamin B-3. They not only lower your cholesterol but also increase the good cholesterol. The best part of curing this illness with vitamins is that they have mild or no side effects as compared to drugs.
• Artichokes
  Incorporation of natural products like ‘Artichokes’ in your daily diet can help you a lot to increase the production of bile in the liver. It may not be a favorite vegetable of many, but its intake means extra cholesterol can be eliminated easily. For the nosy eaters, there are artichoke extract supplements available which prove to be much more useful than its raw intake.
• Omega-3
  This magic fish oil is recommended for almost everything from depression to ulcers. This is a perfect alternative to statins as it reduces bad cholesterol and increases the good cholesterol. It is thus very crucial to consult a doctor before deciding on a supplement because one of the major natural contaminants in this supplement is mercury and many other heavy metals because of its source of origin.
• Yeast Extract
  Another useful alternative to a statin is Yeast Extract. According to a homeopathic approach, red rice yeast extract is often the most recommended. A significant contaminant in such supplements can be arsenic owing to its source. People suffering from renal issues should avoid the use of such supplements.
• Flaxseed
  This supplement can be combined with other as it is an available alternative for statins. It is known to catalyze the positive effects of the leading supplement.
• Introduction of probiotics
  Build yourself a healthy digestive tract to improve your cholesterol. Introduction of probiotics can help improve the local flora of your digestive tract. Intake of helpful bacteria increases to aid in digestion. There can be many good helpers like yogurt and many supplements that can prove to be a great natural alternative to statins.
• Psyllium
  High fiber diet has shown to improve digestion profoundly. Preferably soluble fiber has the potential to drop bad cholesterol as much as 6%. These are available in capsule or liquid form. With this natural statin alternative, one has to be very careful as it may change the way other products are absorbed in your body. This series of plants are known to produce the right amount of roughage for the diet.
• CholesLo
  This is a complete package in itself; it helps to improve multiple factors that affect heart disease, triglycerides, and various other essential lipid profiles. This natural alternative to statins is a combination of many minerals, vitamins, and herbs to help lower cholesterol levels.

Lifestyle changes can also help lower cholesterol levels. Start by losing excess weight and eating healthy foods. Make a genuine effort to decrease the amount of saturated fat in your diet. Other significant lifestyle changes can be, avoid smoking and reduce the intake of alcohol content. Exercising in combination with a high fiber diet is another quick way of fighting high cholesterol without the input of artificial drugs. Other natural remedies that should be incorporated in addition to lifestyle changes include consumption of garlic, barley, oat bran, beta-sitosterol, artichokes, and, sitostanol. If statins are not compatible with your body diet, start with changes to your diet and exercise along with natural remedies. However, never make changes without consulting your doctor.