I am researching different prescription medications for treating hypercholesterolemia or high blood cholesterol levels. I wanted more information on Lopid or gemfibrozil, so could you give me more information about those?

No problem at all, we are happy to help you with that. Lopid is the most common brand name for the prescription medication with generic name gemfibrozil (with other brand names being Gen-Fibro and Jezil). Lopid gemfibrozil is prescribed for its therapeutic effects of reducing LDL levels, reducing triglyceride levels, reducing VLDL levels, and increasing levels of serum HDL. In treating hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridaemia, Lopid gemfibrozil can be prescribed as a standalone drug treatment or in combination with other drugs usually of the statin class. Lopid gemfibrozil is in the fibrate class of prescription drugs.

As a fibrate drug, Lopid gemfibrozil works by activating the PPAR-alpha pathway. This pathway activates the actions of the lipoprotein lipases which will lower blood levels of LDL and VLDL which are the atherogenic forms of circulating cholesterol. Other pathways activated by Lopid gemfibrozil and other fibrates will also lower blood levels of triglycerides and increase levels of the cardio-protective HDL form of cholesterol.

It is important to note the contraindications for Lopid gemfibrozil which are patients with hepatic or renal problems, as well as prescribed cautiously to patients who are pregnant, obsess, Native Americans, or suffering from biliary tract disease. Fibrate drugs have significant and important interactions with anticoagulants, statins, and certain fat soluble vitamins. The most common side effects of Lopid gemfibrozil include muscle pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, increased risk of gallstones, and low potassium levels or hypokalemia.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is an essential waxy steroid substance or metabolite. Cholesterol is a key component of the cell membrane of body cells and functions to maintain cell membrane fluidity ad permeability. Cholesterol is also transported in the plasma and used in the production of bile acids; certain hormones; and vitamins A, D, E, and K (fat-soluble vitamins).

There are three sources for the cholesterol in the body. One is that cholesterol is ingested, primarily from foods containing animal fats. A typical diet results in about 200-300 mg of cholesterol ingested each day. The body also produces new cholesterol by synthesizing it (in amounts of about 1000 mgs a day) primarily in the liver but also in the adrenal glands, reproductive organs, and intestines. The body will compensate and account for cholesterol intake by reducing the amount it synthesizes. Lastly, the body also recycles cholesterol by reabsorbing excreted cholesterol contained in bile salts from the intestines in the digestive tract. Around half of all bile salt cholesterol is recycled by the body in this fashion.

A person’s cholesterol levels are usually affected by diet and level of exercise and activity. Persons who usually ingest high account of animal fats specifically saturated fats and trans fats will have higher cholesterol levels. Low levels of activity and exercise in a sedentary lifestyle will also usually be associated with higher levels of cholesterol. There is also a genetic component and familial predisposition of high serum cholesterol levels so it is important to know of cholesterol, high blood pressure, circulatory, cardiovascular, or heart problems in the family history. It is the American Heart Association’s recommendation that a person should get tested for cholesterol levels at least every five years once they reach the age of 20. People with extremely high levels of cholesterol, high levels of cholesterol despite watching their diets and levels of exercise, as well as those with family history of hypercholesterolemia may want to look into taking some prescription cholesterol medications to help with heart disease risk.

Cholesterol is usually not transported as free floating molecules in the blood since it is not very soluble in water. Instead, it is usually transported in lipoproteins which are spherical structured particles carrying triglycerides and cholesterol esters inside. Depending on the density of the lipoprotein based upon how much cholesterol is inside, these lipoproteins can be classified as chylomicrons, VLDL, IDL, LDL, and HDL. Some of these classifications will be discussed further later.

What are LDL, HDL, and triglycerides since we hear those terms so often with cholesterol?

LDL stands for low density lipoproteins. HDL stands for high density lipoproteins. Both LDL and HDL are transporter lipoproteins of cholesterol and fats. HDL is viewed as the good form of cholesterol, since it will help gobble up LDL and free floating cholesterol in the blood and transport them to the liver to be taken out of the blood serum. The LDL form of cholesterol is what is associated with heart problems and cardiovascular disease. Triglycerides are a transporter of dietary fats in the body. Triglycerides are structured with a glycerol backbone with three fatty acid chain tails. Triglycerides are a major component of chylomicrons and VLDLs as transporters of fats and cholesterol.

What does it mean to have high cholesterol?

Within the health realm, the usual problem numbers and areas of concern of having high cholesterol or Hypercholesterolemia is usually defined as:

• having high total cholesterol
• having high levels of LDL in the blood
• having low levels of HDL in the blood
• having high triglycerides

Of course many of these measures are related since HDL usually isn’t directly measured and is estimated from the total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides.

Why is it bad to have high cholesterol?

Cholesterol in itself is not inherently bad, as we have already mentioned that cholesterol is involved in a lot of cellular structures, cellular functions, body maintenance, cellular transport, nervous tissue conduction, and cell signaling.

When there is too much cholesterol in the body, and specifically LDL in the plasma and blood, the cholesterol facilitates the build-up for fatty deposits in the blood vessels such as veins and arteries in a condition known as atherosclerosis. The fatty deposits from cholesterol clog up the width of the arteries and impede blood flow and may even break off to cause other problems in an embolus. These fatty deposits are related to the development and promotion of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, attack attacks, vascular disease, myocardial infarction, and strokes. These related conditions to cholesterol and atherosclerosis are all quite serious and life threatening.

Having high levels of blood triglycerides has a strong link as well to atherosclerosis, or blood vessel narrowing due to fatty deposits including cholesterol. As a correlation, high triglycerides is also implicated in coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and the other conditions and problems associated with cholesterol.

How does one fight hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol?

In order to know how to fight high levels of cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia in the body, it is important to know why someone would have high cholesterol. As we have previously mentioned, cholesterol sources in the body include food ingestion as well as cholesterol synthesis and recycling by the body. Also, there is a genetic component and familial predisposition to having high cholesterol.

In many cases, watching one’s diet is an important first step to combatting high cholesterol. The main thing in watching one’s diet is avoiding foods high in saturated fats and trans fats especially animal fast which has been associated with hypercholesterolemia. The major sources of cholesterol in a diet is usually beef, poultry, pork, egg yolks, cheese, and shrimp. Eating foods high in fiber and complex carbohydrates is also correlated with helping with cholesterol levels. Other certain foods such as peanuts (not peanut oil) and flax seeds contain a compound known as phytoserols which seem to help lower serum and blood cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol levels are also correlated to low levels of exercise activity and a sedentary lifestyle. Increasing levels of exercise especially aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, aerobics, swimming, and any other forms of exercise that raise the heartbeat will help improve heart health and lower blood cholesterol. Increasing levels of exercise also helps improve health on the cellular level and decrease the body’s need to synthesize new cholesterol.

It is important to know that there is a genetic component and familial predisposition to hypercholesterolemia, and in some of these cases, simply watching diet and increasing exercise levels may not be enough. In these cases, a doctor may prescribe some cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs and medication usually in different forms of statins. Statins work by blocking a key step in the body’s synthesis of new cholesterol. Some of the most commonly prescribed cholesterol drugs include Lipitor and Crestor. A different class of drugs called fibrates may also be prescribed in lieu of or in combination with statins which increases the rate at which cholesterol is broken down or metabolized. Another group of people who may be taking prescription cholesterol-lowering drugs include those without the time and energy to increase their activity levels but want to cut their levels of heart disease risk.

There are also some foods such as red yeast that have naturally occurring analogs to statin compounds which may be taken as a supplement to combat hypercholesterolemia although in the US these substances are heavily regulated by the FDA.

How does one choose the best course of action in lowering cholesterol, fighting hypercholesterolemia, and improving one’s heart health?

Important medical and health issues such as hypercholesterolemia should start with a doctor or physician’s expert advice as they are the most qualified to give such information. Another good source is to ask your friends and family about their experiences and recommendations, especially since having high cholesterol includes a familial and genetic component. Having as much information as you can allows you to make the most educated and best decision for the treatment and management of such a big and important health issue such as cholesterol levels.

One important thing to note is that maintaining an active lifestyle and healthy level of exercise to help stave off high levels of cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health requires dedication on a person’s part. One can help that dedication by varying the exercise routine or activity to maintain personal interest and avoid repetitiveness and boredom.