61. Statins are widely used medications that effectively treat high blood cholesterol, a primary risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. What is the primary mechanism by which these drugs lower cholesterol levels in the blood? (A) Blocking the intestine from absorbing dietary cholesterol (B) Promoting the conversion of body cholesterol into bile acids for elimination (C) Blocking the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme from turning 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl- CoA into mevalonate during cholesterol production (D) Accelerating the breakdown and clearance of the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme (E) Directly boosting the activity of LDL receptors in the liver