3 Things You Want to Know About Cholesterol
You wouldn’t judge a book by its cover, would you?
You would want to open the book and read part of it to get a better idea about what is going on, right?
Well, judging a book by its cover is what happens when you look at LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and decide that this is the only – or even the best indicator of heart disease.
Worse yet, you are told you MUST lower your LDL cholesterol level.
#1 Naturally produced by the body, cholesterol is needed for a variety of functions.-1
Your body uses cholesterol to make testosterone and other essential hormones and is one of the best health and youth enhancing strategies for aging men and women. -2
As you age your body naturally starts to lose its ability to produce as much testosterone and you start to lose energy, strength, sexual desire and sexual capacity.-2
#2 Because the fact is cholesterol alone is not THE indicator of heart disease. Cholesterol which has been oxidized is the problem. Oxidation of cholesterol is the more specific problem which would enable the cholesterol to become “sticky” and start to form plaque in the walls of the arteries.-3
We have all seen an apple cut open and watch as it turns brown – this is oxidation. Your body will oxidize on the inside unless steps are taken to help prevent this.
One can keep oxidation of cholesterol in check by incorporating plenty of anti-oxidants in your consumption of food and supplements.-1, 3
A few of the most powerful anti-oxidants are:
- CoenzymeQ10
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
Low cost, safe and proven food sources high in omega 3′s and the right fats to help keep your cholesterol levels in balance-1, 3
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Olive oil
- Olives
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Flaxseed
- Eggplant
- Okra
- Eggs
- Fresh fruit
These are better, safe, proven and natural ways to prevent cholesterol from becoming a problem.
A diet heavy in grains and processed foods will actually raise your blood cholesterol levels more than foods which contain cholesterol.
A diet low in cholesterol will do you little if anything health wise -4
Focusing on raising your HDL cholesterol levels because as you raise your good cholesterol it decreases the concern about your LDL levels of cholesterol and gives you a better total cholesterol profile. -5
Some of the best ways to improve your “Good” or HDL cholesterol is through:
- Exercise.
- Vitamin D
- Niacin
- Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with raising HDL cholesterol levels – 6
There is a big difference between the cholesterol your Body produces and dietary cholesterol from the food you eat.
#3 Two factors which are of greater concern and are better indicators of heart disease are -3
1. A measure of inflammation in the blood stream called C-reactive protein
2. An amino acid produced by the body called homocysteine.
High levels of C-reactive protein and high levels of homocysteine are better leading indicators and also contribute to the formation of plaque in the blood vessels leading to heart disease -3
As reported in the July, 2003 issue of JAMA, a study was conducted which showed that a diet high in plant sterols, fiber and almonds was clearly the better way to reduce cholesterol and heart disease over statin drugs.-8
And finally …
Policosanol – An organic plant alcohol from sugar cane is one of the best natural ways to reduce bad cholesterol levels-7
Naturally, as you realize the power of these proven ways to prevent cholesterol from becoming a problem, you will find yourself taking action.
References
1- Dr. Al Sears Health Confidential for Men – “The biggest drug and the biggest lie” august 4th, 2003.
2- Dr. Al Sears Health Confidential for Men – “Ignore the hype focus on cholesterol that matters” April 4, 2004
3- Hyman, Mark M.D., Liponis, Mark M.D., Ultra-Prevention, The 6-Week Plan that will Make you healthy for life, New York, Scribner, 2003
4- Dr. Al Sears Health Confidential for Men – “Teaching Nutrition?” March 15, 2004
5- Framingham Heart Study conducted on healthy people in the 1950s. cholesterol misleading as only one of 240 factors in heart disease.
[http://www.researchprotection.org/infomail/03/07/11.html]
6- Castiglioni A and Neuman WR. “HDL Cholesterol: What Is Its True Clinical Significance?” Emergency Medicine, January 2003:pp 30-42.
7- Policosanol safe alternative just one of many.
http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=663
New study finds that this sugar-cane extract safely lowers cholesterol levels. By Aaron W. Jensen, Ph.D. References PR Newswire, March 5, 2002. White Plains, NY. Omar MA, Wilson JP. FDA adverse event reports on statin -associated rhabdomyolysis. Ann Pharmacother 2002 Feb;36(2):288-95. Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Policosanol: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent. Am Heart J 2002;143:356-65. Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive summary of the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). J Am Med Assoc 2001;285:2486-97.
8- Jenkins D. et al., Effects of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol- lowering foods vs Lovastatin on serum lipids and c-reactive protein. JAMA 2003; 290: 502-510
9- – Health Sciences Institute – Jenny Thompson – Article “Broken Ground” 3/11/2004
Author: Lee Cummings
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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How to Reduce Cholesterol the Natural Way
Having a high cholesterol level has become a very serious problem for many people today. This has been credited to a majority of the population getting accustomed to a diet rich in fats, bad habits such as smoking and leading a sedentary lifestyle. And because of high cholesterol levels, more and more people are finding themselves at an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease as well as stroke and heart attack.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death for most people in the developed countries around the world. Having a high level of blood cholesterol has been linked to the increase of the incidence of heart disease and has become a grave cause of concern.
The only good news to this fact is that developing heart disease is highly preventable. All it takes is for one to be able to follow a healthier lifestyle. The path to such a lifestyle is trying to lower one’s cholesterol level. Although there are already several drugs available that will help an individual reduce body cholesterol levels, this is usually reserved for more high risk patients in need of drastic decreases in their cholesterol levels. There are also natural ways readily available for anyone looking forward to lowering their own cholesterol to normal and healthy levels.
One of the natural ways of lowering cholesterol levels is through diet. Following a low cholesterol diet day in and day out can be very effective in trying to control and maintain a normal cholesterol level. This would mean eating low cholesterol foods such as soy products, vegetables and fruits.
High fiber foods are also known to help in the fight to lower cholesterol. Regular exercise is also a good habit to develop if you are really intent in trying to lower your cholesterol levels. Exercise helps in increasing HDL or “good” cholesterol in the body as well as strengthens your heart muscle, helps keep your blood pressure at normal and even helps you in shedding of those excess pounds.
There are also several natural supplements that will be able to help you lower your cholesterol levels. Taking B-complex vitamins, specifically Niacin, has been known to help lower blood cholesterol in the body. supplements fortified with Lecithin can also help in lowering your cholesterol as it enables excess fat and cholesterol to be dispersed in the water instead of building up in the arteries.
There are other natural ways of lowering cholesterol levels available today. All it will take is some research and talking to your doctor about how to effectively follow a lifestyle that will enable you to lower cholesterol the natural way.
Learn about what is cholesterol and how to reduce cholesterol at the Cholesterol Guidelines site.
There is a Drugfree Way to Lower Cholesterol
There has been a substantial increase in people having high cholesterol levels. It has been proven in many studies that an unhealthy increase in blood cholesterol levels can lead or be associated with the development of heart disease. High cholesterol levels can also increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death among people living in industrialized societies such as the US. The increasing incidence of high cholesterol levels in people living in this part of the world can often be contributed to a high saturated fat diet, smoking and leading a sedentary lifestyle.
There are several dugs now available that is being used to treat unhealthy cholesterol levels in people. Most popular of these is the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor or what is more simply known as Statins. This group of cholesterol lowering drugs come in different name drugs and is increasingly being used in order to help high risk patients drastically lower their cholesterol levels. Statins can also increase the levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol.
Although statins and other known drugs being used to lower cholesterol levels have been proven to be very effective, there are also other ways available for people to lower their cholesterol levels without the use of such drugs. One of these is trying to lead a more active lifestyle. Physical activity and exercise is an important part of several low cholesterol therapies that aim to reduce bad cholesterol levels. Regular exercise can also help in reducing blood pressure, excess weight as well as decrease the diabetes risk.
Following a low cholesterol diet can also help a lot in trying to decrease high cholesterol levels. Scientists have found that a low cholesterol diet can help decrease cholesterol levels by as much as 29 percent in one month. This suggests that a combination diet can also be as effective as drugs like statins used to treat people with high cholesterol levels. It has also been established that eating low cholesterol and high fiber foods can cut individual cholesterol level by seven percent.
A recommended diet that can help people avoid developing coronary heart disease include consuming non-hydrogenated or unprocessed fats, eating a rich diet of soy protein, nuts and fiber rich foods such as oats and barley. Increased consumption of Omega-3 fats from fish and other plant sources can also have a positive effect in any low cholesterol diet as well as a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables.
Information on cholesterol ratio can be found at Cholesterol Guidelines.
How The Foods You Eat Can Influence Your Cholesterol Levels
As a follow up to a previous article let’s go into detail about how the foods we eat can or cannot influence our blood cholesterol levels. The previous article about what you eat was influenced by watching a television program by which the host has to devour enormous amounts of food in a certain time period and often these foods have an extremely high in calories and fat among other things. You are left to wonder, “That can’t be healthy!” Hopefully that young man is not shaving years off his life for the benefit of our entertainment and TV ratings, but is he?
The scientific community has long debated over how dietary cholesterol (the foods we eat) affects the cholesterol our body naturally produces (also known as serum cholesterol). Numerous studies have concluded that in adult men the serum cholesterol levelis essentiallyindependent of the cholesterol intake over thewhole range ofnatural human diets. It was noted that it is probable that infants,children andwomen are similar. Serum cholesterol is a term that includes the total level of cholesterol that is found in the bloodstream. Measuring the level of total cholesterol includes identifying all types or classes of cholesterol that are found in the system. This helpful measurement makes it possible to determine if the balance between the HDL or good cholesterol and LDL or bad cholesterol is within acceptable limits. Dietary cholesterol comes from animal products in the diet, such as butter, meats, egg yolks, and dairy products. Blood cholesterol is the fatty substance that occurs naturally in the body and which is necessary for hormone production, cell metabolism, and other vital processes.
There are 2 main types of blood cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) as was previously mentioned. It is generally considered desirable to have high levels of HDL cholesterol and low levels of LDL cholesterol. Another component to add to this puzzle is triglycerides which are the chains of high-energy fatty acids that provide much of the energy needed for cells to function.Your liver produces your body’s cholesterol in fact your body needs cholesterol. However, there is a difference between the cholesterol made by the body and dietary cholesterol. The cholesterol that the liver produces is vital to strengthening the membranes of each and every cell in the body. The liver also processes the saturated fats and sugars we digest.
What does all this mean and what does all of that have to do with what we eat? Well, dietary cholesterol does contribute to your blood cholesterol levels. Excess amounts of foods high in saturated fats will raise blood cholesterol levels in some people, and contribute to the build up of plaque on the walls of the arteries and lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). These fats from the foods you eat make it to your blood stream and by extension to your liver for processing. One of the main jobs of the liver is to make sure all the tissues of the body receive the cholesterol and triglycerides they need to function. Whenever possible (that is, for about 8 hours after a meal), the liver takes up dietary cholesterol and triglycerides from bloodstream. However the relationship between cholesterol and the concentration of blood cholesterol is not linear. For every additional 100mg of cholesterol consumed up to a total intake of 500mg per day, there is a 2-3% increase in the concentration of blood cholesterol. In contrast further increases in cholesterol intake beyond 500mg per day have little additional effect on the blood level. But remember it is the bad cholesterol that will lead to a heart attack or stroke so it is important to maintain a healthy diet. If you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes or a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) blood cholesterol level, you should limit your dietary cholesterol intake to less than 200 mg a day. Your diet directly affects your heart health, especially when the diet consists of foods high in fat and cholesterol. Your body uses cholesterol for certain functions, but an excess can build up in arteries, restricting or even blocking blood flow to the heart or brain.
Now that young who entertains us by consuming a grilled cheese sandwich with 15 different kinds of cheeses or eating a 10 patty cheese burger with 3 lbs. of fries undoubtedly know what he is doing to his body and more than likely has a plan for offsetting all calories and fat he is ingesting, but don’t do that at home. That would like attempting to drive the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 200 mph three days after you got your driver’s license, it is not advisable. Foods that are high incalories and fat taken in their recommended portions are not necessarily a bad thing, but like all things they should be consumed in moderation. Remember you are what you eat, so maintaining a healthy diet along with exercise can keep your cholesterol levels in check, healthy cholesterol equates to a healthy heart and that means a long and healthy life.
Author: Raynard Thompson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Understanding What is Bad Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a very familiar medical term almost to anyone, particularly the middle age group. It is a common thing the word will never be a part of teen-age lingo. The main reason is, most of the dreaded ailments accompanying “high cholesterol” levels are associated with hypertension, heart failure, diabetes and other long term and acquired conditions, which does not could also happen to younger generation as juvenile complications. To make it clear, when the majority is talking about lowering cholesterol, it is all about alleviating the further progress of bad cholesterol.
There are two kinds of cholesterol accumulating or present in the human body. Bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein is harmful because it can cause atheroma. Atheroma is considered to be the plaque of the arteries, commonly referred to as fat streaks. If not watched carefully, accumulation of ‘macrophage white blood cells’ can happen to a child even before the age of 10.
The early symptoms may start as early as 5 years old, while the child grows up and the condition is accumulating quietly in the veins. Most of the time, the exact symptoms are only given prognosis after the onset of heart attack or stroke, which is already too late for the patient. The attack of silent killers may not cause death but chances are it can lead to lifetime disability.
It is debilitating to imagine how high levels of bad cholesterol can cause serious consequences to the body. When most people may appear healthy all the time, cholesterols can only be checked through lab tests. Sometimes it surprises people to find out how high their cholesterol build-up has soared for the past years.
There is no mystery behind the strengthening of bad cholesterol other than high consumption of saturated fats in the diet. In the advent of labels or guides in processed foods like canned goods and other packed products in the groceries, it is easy to see the amount of cholesterol a food has. This is just a small matter on how to grasp the essence of being cholesterol conscious.
The major way to lower down cholesterol levels in the body is to understand how it metabolizes in the body. Cholesterol doe not actually come from diet alone. It is a whole process within where diet is just one of the contributing factor. Good cholesterol aids in the body’s biochemical functioning like producing bile, regulating of vitamins that are fat soluble such as A, K, D, and E.
It also has impact on the synthesis of the body hormone. After cholesterol has been utilized in the body, it excretes as excess lipids in the liver and gall bladder as crystal particles. Because cholesterol is not water soluble, it circulates over and over and gets converted to bad cholesterol (low density lipoproteins). For normal individuals with healthy metabolism, bad cholesterol is minimal and comes in as large quantities. The harmful ones are those that come in many number of small sizes trapped in the veins as accumulated clogs.
When it comes to lowering high cholesterol, basically there is nothing to ponder about genetic weaknesses, the key is watching over food intake. Cholesterol is highly present in animal meats and fats, especially pork and beef. It is easy to watch fatty foods with all the precautions available today. But it takes discipline to live a life with less cholesterol consumption.
For tips on cholesterol ratio and low cholesterol foods, visit the Cholesterol Guidelines website.
Food to Lower Your Cholesterol
High cholesterol levels are slowly killing off the population. The increasing prevalence and risk of hypertension and heart disease in Americans are ringing the alarm bells in the country’s health sector. Health officials are desperately trying to find ways to combat the rise and make people aware of the eating lifestyle and exercise lifestyle that they are imbibing.
The truth about cholesterol
Although cholesterol is mainly the culprit in the increase in high blood pressure in the body, not all cholesterol that we take in is essentially bad. In fact, small amounts of cholesterol is being used by the body in the production of bile salts and in the transformation of Vitamin D. Cholesterol also plays a role in the balancing of hormones especially in women.
There are two kinds of cholesterol, the good and the bad as the lay people will like to clal them. The bad cholesterol or the LDL is the kind that is often found in saturated fats and trans fatty acids. These are taken into the body through foods that are pre-packed and prepared such as potato chips, canned goods, etc. LDL cholesterol adheres to the walls of the arteries. High levels of LDL can form plaques in the arterial walls that may eventually cause clogging in the passageway of the blood. This slows down the blood flow, which in turn makes it hard for the heart to pump. This scenario describes the initial stages of hypertension and coronary heart problems.
What to eat
The good cholesterol HDL on the other hand lower the levels of LDL in the body by helping transport the LDL to the liver where it is excreted. HDL cholesterol can be found in fishes as well as in nuts.
Other foods that can lower the cholesterol levels are fruits and vegetables. These foods do not contain that much cholesterol so whatever you have, you will not be adding to its levels.
Another great thing about veggies and fruits is the fact that they are great sources of fibers that the body also need to combat the increase in LDL cholesterol. Berries, fruits that are citrus and carrots are just some of the fruits that you can count on. Another food that can dramatically reduce the levels of cholesterol in the body is the soya. Fiber-rich food, soya as well as almonds and plant sterols figure in a landmark study conducted by University of Toronto that reduced the cholesterol levels of the participants by as much as 20 percent. Eating oats, olive oil and barley are also great ways to lower LDL.
Another great source of cholesterol are foods that are really oily. To lower one’s LDL, one must consciously avoid foods that are deep-fried. If you have to eat fried foods, make sure that the oil that you use is made out of vegetable.
Never use butter as this is rich in saturated fats. Instead, use margarine as a substitute. Try to also steam, braise, boil or bake your food. You will find that they are tastier and healthier.
Not just the food
There are many factors that contribute to the rise of cholesterol levels in the body. In addition to one’s eating lifestyle, there is the age, the gender, the family history and of course the amount of physical activity that the person does.
Exercise is fairly important in keeping LDL cholesterol at bay. What is more, it strengthens the body’s resistance as well as improves blood circulation.
Find tips about what is cholesterol and how to reduce cholesterol at the Cholesterol Guidelines site.
Take Charge of Your Cholesterol
Our body has them all – the Good and the Bad cholesterol. Make no mistake, a higher than normal level of cholesterol is bad for your heart and will lead to heart diseases ultimately. Get acquainted with Cholesterol, and learn how you can battle them to good health.
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance found in our body system including the bloodstream and cells. Our body needs a certain level of Cholesterol for building healthy cells and vital sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
How Does Cholesterol Gets Into Our Body?
There are two main sources where cholesterol is derived from:
1. 25% Of Cholesterol Comes From The Food We Eat
We are what we eat! The main sources of Cholesterol are from meat, fish, dairy products and poultry. Animal fats and their organs such as liver contributes the highest levels of cholesterol to our body. After consumption, the intestines take over the digestion of fat, after which they are transported to the liver to be processed into cholesterol.
2. Our Liver Produces 75% of Cholesterol In Our Body
Our body is capable of producing up to 75% of cholesterol. A large capacity is produced by the Liver, while a smaller percentage is produced by the other body cells.
What Is The Difference Between Good And Bad Cholesterol
The Cholesterol are being carried around the body and into our blood by lipoprotein, a combination of lipids (fats) and proteins. Lipoproteins are classified into two categories.
Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol
Our body can produce them naturally, or we genetically inherit them from our parents or grandparents. When we consumed food that are high in saturated or trans fat, the amount of LDL Cholesterol raises dramatically. Also known as “BAD Cholesterol”, LDL Cholesterol transport fats from our liver to other parts of the body.
When the level of LDL Cholesterol increases, our coronary arteries may get clogged up thus preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching our heart. In the long term, cholesterol built-up formed plague and narrowed our arteries. This condition, known as Atherosclerosis may caused us to suffer from a heart attack.
High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol is called the “GOOD Cholesterol” because it helps to transport excess cholesterol from the cells in our blood to the liver for purging.
A high level of HDL Cholesterol helps lower our risk of getting coronary artery diseases as it prevents fat from building up on the walls of our heart arteries.
Controllable Risk Factors
Overweight & Obesity
Excessive fats in the body almost always equate to a high level of cholesterol. If you are overweight, start an exercise regime to lose weight and maintain a BMI of below 24 consistently. If you are obese, seek the help of health professionals to combat your weight problems.
Keep The Fats Off Food
Limit food high in saturated and trans fats. In general, cut down on red meats and eat more fruits and vegetables.
Limit Alcohol Intake
Although a small consumption of alcohol may increase your Good Cholesterol, it does nothing to lower your Bad Cholesterol. Thus, alcohol should not be used as a means to control your cholesterol levels.
Snub The Cigarettes
Time and again, the effects of smoking has been proven to increase the bad cholesterol. It’s time to snub out.
Get Out Of That Couch
Stop being a couch potato. Instead of watching TV excessively, get active and start an exercise regime. Get 30-45 minutes of exercise for 3-5 times weekly.
Uncontrollable Risk Factors
Family History
This fact cannot be altered but you can make some lifestyle changes to delay the onset. Pick up a sport and put efforts in managing the controllable risk factors.
Menopausal Women
From the start of menopause, a woman’s LDL Cholesterol level in her body raises naturally.
Age Factor
Our cholesterol level increases as we aged. Men over 45 years old and women above 55 years old have higher risk of high cholesterol.
If you already have high cholesterol, be sure to take the prescribed medication to maintain it at the normal level, and have your physician review the levels on a regular basis.
You may have high Cholesterol for many years without any symptoms, visit a doctor if you have any reasons to suspect. All that’s required is a simple lipoprotein profile blood test after a 9-12 hours fast for accuracy. Be in control of your cholesterol, for heart’s sake,
Author: Christine Ang
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Having a Diet to Lower Cholesterol
If you want to lower your cholesterol levels, following an ideal diet may be able to help you a lot. It has been known for a long time now that the food a person eats or is accustomed to eating daily can have a direct relation in the body’s cholesterol levels.
And it is important for people to lower their cholesterol levels because cholesterol has been associated with the development of coronary heart disease. The higher the level of blood cholesterol levels in an individual, the more likely it is that he will be developing heart disease later on. Aside from that high cholesterol levels can also put a person at risk of suffering from a stroke or a heart attack.
Aside from using drugs to lower cholesterol levels, following a low cholesterol diet is the next best thing to keep your cholesterol levels down. Eating more vegetables, soy products and other low cholesterol foods can be just as effective at reducing blood cholesterol as medication. A study has been able to show that a vegetarian diet can lower cholesterol by as much as one-third in just a month.
The best cholesterol-lowering diet that you can follow usually includes a hearty serving of vegetables such as broccoli and red peppers. Soymilk and soy sausages, oat bran cereal and bread as well as plenty of fruits and nuts make up a complete low cholesterol diet. Soy protein, nuts, and fiber rich food such as oats and barley can effectively cut cholesterol levels by up to seven percent.
A low cholesterol diet also requires you to minimize your intake of saturated fat by seven percent and other fat substances by 25-35 percent. It has been discovered that the best diet for avoiding coronary heart disease includes consuming non-hydrogenated (unprocessed) fats rather than the hydrogenated variety. Increased consumption of omega-3 fats from fish, fish oil or plant sources such as flaxseeds is the suggested fat intake in a low cholesterol diet. With a low cholesterol diet, one should also limit daily sodium intake somewhere in the level of 2400 milligrams daily.
A typical day on the low cholesterol diet would include a hearty breakfast of soymilk, oat bran cereal with chopped fruit and almonds, oatmeal bread, vegetable-based margarine and jam. A typical low cholesterol lunch would comprise of soy cold cuts, oat bran bread, bean soup and a dessert of fruit. For dinner, stir-fry vegetables, tofu, fruit and almonds would be the usual low cholesterol diet fare. Following this type of low cholesterol diet religiously for long periods, it is possible for one’s cholesterol level to drop by as much as 29 percent in just a month.
Visit Cholesterol Guidelines to learn about normal cholesterol levels and high cholesterol foods.
Lower Your High Cholesterol Naturally
Cholesterol is a substance that is similar to fat. It can be found in the cell membranes of all body tissues and is transported through the blood plasma. There is “bad cholesterol” and “good cholesterol” in the human body, and both of them are cholesterol carriers. “Bad” cholesterol carriers are low-density lipoprotein or LDL and deposit cholesterol in the artery walls, thus thickening them-a key cause of heart disease. “Good” cholesterol carriers are high-density lipoprotein or HDL and help to keep the arteries healthy by clearing cholesterol out of the system. When levels of “bad” cholesterol are high, treatment is imperative.
The American Heart Association and the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) suggest that HDL levels should be around 60 mg/dL. If the HDL level count is less than 40 mg, the chances of coronary artery disease are greater. LDL cholesterol levels should be around 130 mg/ dL. A diet rich in saturated and trans fats and low in beneficial fats (monounsaturates and polyunsaturates) can lead to high LDL levels. Smoking, drinking large amounts of alcohol, other poor dietary habits and lack of exercise are all dangerous factors. These are lifestyle habits which need to be altered in the treatment of high cholesterol(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html).
If your total cholesterol level is less than 200 mg/dL, you are less likely to suffer from a heart attack. For maintaining low cholesterol, a diet full of fruits and fiber and low in fat, is effective. A diet should be low in saturated fat, higher in monounsaturated fats and foods rich in Omega 3 , thus raising the levels of good cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol.
A significant portion of the adult population in the USA has cholesterol levels of 200 to 239 mg/dL, which are classified as borderline high-risk. It is also dangerous if the HDL level is below 40 mg/dL. If the HDL cholesterol count is high and the LDL count is low, a cholesterol level of 200 to 239 mg/dL may not necessarily represent a borderline high risk. But pay attention if some dangerous factors appear, such as hypertension and diabetes, and make sure to have regular check ups to ensure suitable treatment of high cholesterol(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html).
A total cholesterol level of 240 or more is considerably high. With cholesterol levels this high, you are at greater risk for heart attack and stroke. At this level, a complete change in dietary habits as well as increase in heart-friendly exercise (such as swimming or walking) is essential. Cholesterol-lowering drugs are included in the the treatment of high cholesterol.
The American Dietetic Association suggests keeping a cholesterol-friendly diet by eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and wholegrain foods. Some other advice is to limit saturated fats by choosing lean cuts of meat, chicken without the skin and low-fat dairy products.Reduce the intake of fattening fast food and processed cakes, sweets and chips. Choose canola or olive oils, which are better for the heart, when cooking. In fish such as mackerel and salmon, nuts and avocadoes, you can also find some other helpful oils. Remember to limit dietary cholesterol(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html) from egg yollk and meat.
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High Cholesterol – Find Authoritative Natural Treatment Information, Plus Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements for Supporting High Cholesterol Treatment, Symptoms, Causes.
Natural Nutritional Treatment of High Cholesterol(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html)
Cholesterol: Good or Bad?
Let’s get something straight from the on start; cholesterol is an essential compound in humans and for that matter in the entire animal kingdom.
The idea that the cholesterol molecule is ‘bad’ is just plain inaccurate. Animals use cholesterol as their building blocks for cell membranes and other structural components. Cholesterol is the basic structural building block for hormones and other molecules essential to humans.
What is Good and Bad Cholesterol?
In actuality there is only good cholesterol until there is an over accumulation of cholesterol in the artery cells and in the peripheral cells.
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol particles (notoriously called bad cholesterol) carry cholesterol from the liver to receptor sites on the endothelial and peripheral cells. From the receptor sites the cholesterol is then transported for cellular repair and construction.
HDL (High- Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol particles (commonly called good cholesterol) are the primary reverse transport system which carries away excess cholesterol from the artery and peripheral cells to its destination the liver. The excess returned cholesterol is then either converted by the liver into cholesterol bile acids or excreted into bile as free cholesterol, which is then sent to the colon.
Hence the Problem:
In the delivery of cholesterol there are three (3) pathways or routes to arterial vessels and peripheral cells.
1). Lipid absorption
2). Endogenous (produced by the liver).
3). Exogenous (food intake).
The over accumulation of cholesterol can occur in all three (3) pathways resulting in atheroselerosis in the artery cells. The LDL delivery system from the liver presents the biggest threat for cholesterol buildup. Free radicals found in the bloodstream attack and oxidize the LDL cholesterol and chemically change it so that the receptor sites on the artery cell walls can no longer recognize the LDL, so it is rejected. Hence come the Macrophages, scavenger cells from our immune system which also have receptor sites. The Macrophages recognize that the LDL oxidized cholesterol at the endothelial artery lining. This is where the problem begins with cholesterol. Since the source of macrophages in the blood are for the most part iron and copper, which in turn act as a catalyst taking what is hydrogen peroxide and converting it into a potent hydroxyl radical.
Chaos Factor:
Macrophages analysis the oxidized cholesterol molecule (OXY-LDL) as an enemy or an invader and treat the oxidized cholesterol as if it were bacteria. The macrophages envelop the oxidized cholesterol particle through a process called Phagocytesis. Ultimately the particle is sent back further into the arterial wall or the cholesterol particle appears as a fused fatty nodule on the wall of the artery. Eventually other protectors in our immune system add to the fight and the whole cholesterol particle becomes a foamy cell. Sometimes oxidized LDL in small quantities can be disposed of in the artery by absorption or by breaking down the small nodule. Usually the buildup is too large to be broken down entirely and in fact the buildup continues unabated. This buildup leads to calcification, which invariably produces a bulge in the wall of the artery. If the extended nodule continues to grow, the flow of blood to and from the heart will be dangerously challenged and may result in blockage which can lead to such conditions as coronary arteries and carotid or vertebral arteries leading to the brain.
It has been established through research in patient studies that there are two (2) ways that oxidized LDL cholesterol can be formed.
1). Membrane damage of LDL fatty acids by metal ions (mostly iron in the blood).
2). Enzymatic damage unrelated or independent to metal ions
The researchers concluded that there are two (2) forms of oxidized LDL cholesterol.
1). OXY-LDL is a marker for coronary atheroselerosis.
2). MDA-Modified LDL a marker for artery plaque creation.
Antioxidants to the Rescue:
It is important that cholesterol is transported through the blood freely and unobstructed. The antioxidant level of the blood needs to be sufficiently high to abate free radicals before they attack the LDL particle. Additionally fat-soluble antioxidant levels of the LDL particle need to be high enough to thwart the oxidation of fatty acids (Phosholipids). Water-soluble antioxidants are important in the prevention of formation of oxidizes cholesterol in LDL particles and in blood in general.
Some key antioxidants are vitamins A, C, and E. others include green tea, bilberry, rosemary, lutein, and N-acetyl cysteine. Taking a regimented dose of antioxidant supplements has an important role in reducing the damaging effects of lipid oxidation.
Conclusion:
Our body was created perfectly without flaw, only when outside and foreign elements are introduced do we initiate a disease or an imbalance. Cholesterol in its purest form is harmless and essential to our bodily functions. Without the proper amounts of antioxidants in our blood, oxidation of LDL can occur in the blood and on the artery wall and lead to the formation of altherosclerosis. Supplementation of essential antioxidants is critical in an overall healthy body. Natural health products are the purest forms of supplementation.
Gary Kenneth Archer is a natural health advocate dedicated to the naturalist lifestyle,
web designer,webmaster,professional woodworker,author and frequent contributer to
healthylivingwithnaturalsupplements.com allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com
naturalhealthproducts.wordpress.com
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