Fish Oil and Over the Counter Supplements
High cholesterol is an extremely common health problem which affects millions of Americans. Individuals suffering from high cholesterol are at an increased risk for a number of serious outcomes, including heart attacks, peripheral artery disease, and stroke. It should go without saying that anyone with a high cholesterol reading should be interesting in taking steps to lower that cholesterol level promptly.
One possible choice in the search for lower cholesterol is fish oil. While it is common to take statins for cholesterol problems, more and more people are turning to fish oil supplements. Is this a good choice? Well, it depends on your specific situation. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for anything in the medical world, and that certainly applies to the treatment of high cholesterol.
Mixed Messages
To this point, there have been mixed results in terms of study on the topic of using fish oil to treat high cholesterol. Some studies have shown that it does have a positive impact, while others have been inconclusive. On the other hand, traditional statin treatments have been proven time and again to be effective. However, the use of statin is not meant to be preventive, as these drugs are only prescribed to those who already have high cholesterol and a risk of heart disease.
This is where many people decide to turn to fish oil supplements. Since anyone can purchase fish oil supplements over-the-counter, there is no need to wait for a high cholesterol test result in order to start treatment. In addition to the possibility of helping with cholesterol, fish oil supplements may also assist with overall brain health, the management of diabetes, and other positive health outcomes. Even if the proof for fish oil’s ability to reduce cholesterol is lacking, there are other potential health benefits to be enjoyed.
Take Care of Yourself
Of course, it does need to be mentioned that there are other actions you can take which are more likely to have a positive impact on your cholesterol. For instance, adhering to a healthy diet and keeping your weight in a healthy range is one of the best things you can do on your own. Avoiding negative health activities like smoking will also go a long way toward preventing the development of high cholesterol.
As is always the case, it is best to talk to your doctor when thinking about any kind of treatment plan – preventive or otherwise. Dr. David Filsoof of Beverly Hills Cardiovascular would be happy to provide his perspective on your cholesterol situation. It is never a good idea to make important health-related decisions on your own without the input of a trained professional. With the experience and knowledge or Dr. Filsoof on your side, you will be able to come to an informed decision. Thank you for taking the time to visit our site, and we hope to have the opportunity to care for you soon.
