TCM Treatment for High Cholesterol:
Acupuncture and herbal remedies have been used for at least 3,000 years for the treatment of a variety of medical problems, including high cholesterol and related cardiac problems. Most TCM practitioners have traditionally not felt the need for scientific studies to support their use of these therapies. In the last 50 years, however, both TCM and allopathic physicians have begun to explore the use of scientific research to determine the efficacy of TCM therapies for the treatment of high cholesterol and other medical problems. Some early results suggest that acupuncture and herbs may hold promise in such cases, although most authorities believe that much more research is needed before definitive results are available to test the efficacy of such treatments.


Treatment in Western Medicine:
Eating correctly (quantity and quality)
Except for the inherited genetic forms of hypercholesterolaemia, cholesterol production is closely linked to fat intake and metabolism. Just by controlling food intake, especially of fat, your total cholesterol can be lowered by 10-20%.

Losing weight
Obesity is associated with a number of risk factors for atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular mortality. These include hypertension, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridaemia and reduced HDL-cholesterol.

Exercising more.
This normalises the composition of the TC, raising HDL, lowering triglycerides and possibly lowering LDL; improves body mass and lessens the risk of  diabetes.

Smoking cessation.
Smoking is an independent major risk factor for CHD, cerebrovascular disease and total atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Statins
The statins are a group of drugs which interfere with the production of cholesterol in the liver, in the process lowering the level of cholesterol in your blood. They are the most commonly used and most potent anti-cholesterol drugs, and can reduce your total cholesterol by 20 to 60%. They work by inhibiting one of the enzymes needed to produce cholesterol.

Fibrates
This group of drugs act mainly to lower triglycerides and may help to raise HDL. They act on several genes to alter the metabolism of lipids in many tissues. This includes lowering the export of triglyceride from the liver and raising the production of HDL.

Nicotinic acid
This is one of the B group of vitamins. It can help normalise cholesterol levels when given in very large doses. Its use, however, is often limited by its unpleasant side effects, such as severe flushing.