Promising new treatments coming soon

The answer for people like Outi, who are at high risk and who either can’t get their cholesterol low enough solely with statins and diet, or who can’t tolerate statins, might come in the form of a genetically engineered medication designed to help the liver eliminate LDL cholesterol. Several such drugs, called PCSK9 inhibitors, are in the final stages of clinical trials and results have been very promising. None yet are approved for sale, but Dr Gitt estimates that at least one will be by the end of this year or in early 2016. According to Dr Gitt: “If you [use] this drug, you will bring down the LDL by another 70 per cent.”

TODAY, OUTI RELIES ON PLANT

sterol and stanol food supplements rather than prescription drugs to reduce her cholesterol. Plant sterols and stanols are waxy substances produced by plants that are similar to our own cholesterol, and have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels. As of her last check-up, her total cholesterol was 4.6 – better than when she suffered her stroke, but not yet where it should be.

Meanwhile, Mohamed started working with a nutritionist and learned that his lifestyle was adversely affecting his health. Based on her advice, he stopped smoking, cut down on sugar, salt and saturated fat, and started an exercise programme. “The impact on my blood analysis is unbelievable,” says Mohamed. “Thanks to that change in my lifestyle my cholesterol level was so low that the doctor prescribed a lower dose of statins.”

Which all goes to show that there are good solutions today, and perhaps even better ones tomorrow to help everyone keep cholesterol at healthy levels.