Cholesterol Levels – The Good, The Bad, and Management Of
What is cholesterol, and is it all bad? What’s the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol? What are the healthy or normal cholesterol levels you should strive for?
In this article, I’ll explain what happens when your cholesterol levels aren’t normal, as well as some of the ways to manage them, so that you can be better educated and proactive where your health is concerned, and maybe even extend your life.
First of all, cholesterol is a waxy substance found in cells in all parts of the body. And no, it is not all bad. In fact, cholesterol is necessary for building and regenerating cells. It also insulates nerves and produces hormones in the body. The key is maintaining normal levels.
Where does cholesterol come from? About 75% of the cholesterol in our bodies is manufactured in the liver, and the other 25% comes from food, mostly meat and dairy products. If your liver produces too much cholesterol, that is when the levels become abnormal or unhealthy, and a method for bringing them back in balance becomes a necessity in order to preserve cardiovascular health.
This is especially important in people with diabetes, or metabolic syndrome (sometimes referred to as pre-diabetes.) Unhealthy cholesterol levels, when combined with weight gain and increased blood pressure, can lead to all kinds of health challenges.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
Notice the plural, because it is not only total cholesterol or just the bad cholesterol number that is important. Complete cholesterol care implies being aware of all the numbers.
So what are the numbers you should know that make up the complete cholesterol picture?
First is the LDL or bad cholesterol. This is the component that when it becomes elevated, causes buildup on the walls of the arteries. As this buildup hardens, it becomes plaque, which increases your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Science is proving that this buildup starts to develop in late teens and early twenties, and continues progressively as we age.
Of course as this buildup continues, it starts to narrow the opening in the arteries, restricting blood flow and raising blood pressure. Left unchecked, it can continue until it ruptures which causes a clot to form, totally cutting off the flow of blood.
If this clot is in the area leading to the heart, it is a heart attack. If it is in the arteries leading to the brain, that is a stroke. Both are considered cardiovascular disease.
LDL levels of greater than 190 are considered dangerous. 160 to 189 is considered poor, 130 to 159 is fair, and readings less than 129 are considered healthy. Some doctors are suggesting levels be below 100, and recent research is showing that if we can reduce our LDL to less than 70, we can actually start to reverse the plaque buildup.
The next number to be aware of is HDL, or the good cholesterol, which reduces your risk of CVD. In fact, your HDL number is becoming much more important because research has shown that for every 1% you reduce your LDL or bad cholesterol, you get about a 2% reduction in cardiovascular risk. But for every 1% you increase your HDL, you get a 3% reduction in risk. What should your HDL be? Healthy levels for men are above 40, and for women, it should be above 50.
Total Cholesterol or TC is the addition of your LDL, HDL and a component known as VLDL. Healthy levels are anything under 200. Another important number to be aware of is your cardiovascular risk ratio. This number is determined by dividing Total Cholesterol by HDL. This number should be below 5, with the optimal amount of 3.5 or lower.
Where do triglycerides come from? Fats consumed in our diet, or made in the body from carbohydrates, cause triglycerides in the blood. Some calories are converted to triglycerides and move into the fat cells for storage. So how do those numbers stack up?
Triglyceride levels of less than 150 are considered acceptable. Levels from 150 to 199 indicate moderate risk, 200 to 499 indicate high risk, and levels in excess of 500 indicate extreme high risk.
If it’s confusing to remember what’s good and what’s not, an easy way to remember the different parts of the total picture is “L” stands for “lethal” LDL, “H” stands for “healthy” HDL, and “T” stands for “treacherous” triglycerides.
METHODS FOR DEALING WITH UNHEALTHY CHOLESTEROL
There are different methods a person can use for improving one’s cholesterol levels. The most widely known is through the use of special cholesterol lowering prescription drugs called “statins”. Statins such as Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, and others represent nationally a 25 Billion Dollar per year treatment option. They have proved themselves effective at lowering the LDL segment of the cholesterol picture, however they do very little to reduce triglycerides or raise the HDL.
Besides, statins sometime carry very significant side effects, and therefore some people can’t take them. What are some of these documented side effects?
The Statin Effects Study concluded that the top two are possible liver and muscle damage. However, there are also lesser known effects such as sudden memory loss, increase in eye cataract risk, suppresses the body’s natural immune function, increased cancer risk, kidney and nerve damage, depletes CoQ10 levels (necessary for healthy heart function), sleep disturbance, blood sugar or blood pressure changes, and sexual dysfunction.
According to the drug manufacturers, only an insignificant number of patients are affected by these side effects. But if you’re one of them, is it “insignificant” for you? What you will hear more and more from the drug companies, is that they also will admit that just lowering the LDL is not enough.
Combination therapy will become the new buzz word. It means adding additional drugs to raise the good cholesterol, or lower triglycerides or blood sugar. Of course, it’s highly likely that these additional drug additives will have their own set of additional side effects.
In fact, reports on the recent results of a clinical study by one of the leading pharmaceutical company’s combinations to try to raise the HDL led to “pulling the plug” on the whole experiment. Why, you ask? According to the report, an “unacceptable number of people died” while taking the combination therapy. Makes me wonder what number of people would be “acceptable”.
Do we see increased costs and co-pays in our futures? I believe you can bank on it. Some people feel, and I’m one of them, that even the cheapest co-pay is more than they’re willing to risk their quality of life for.
So are there other, safer alternatives for you? The answer is yes. In fact, according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines for healthcare providers, statin drugs should not be the first treatment option offered. According to these guidelines, Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) should be used as a first approach.
What are some of the features of TLC? Increase of soluble fiber, regular exercise, and weight reduction are the main ones. When it comes to diet, watch your fat intake, and eat more fruits and vegetables.
In addition to soluble fiber, other methods that can control cholesterol levels are the use of plant sterols or stanols, and a natural component called policosanol, from sugar cane, which blocks the enzyme in the liver that produces cholesterol. Statins block the same enzyme; however, the difference is that the policosanol does not damage the liver. Also ancient Chinese medicine has used a particular extract from the chrysanthemum plant to help in the breakdown of cholesterol.
If you’re concerned about safety and effectiveness, choose a natural solution with solid clinical evidence, that incorporates multiple methods, and raises HDL in addition to lowering LDL.
Be proactive in your own health, be educated on your cholesterol situation, make the right lifestyle choices, and you’ll improve your chances of living longer.
Additional information on lowering cholesterol can be found in “Your Guide to Lowering Cholesterol with TLC” by the US Nat’l Institutes of Health. NIH Publication 06-5235
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The Basics of Your Cholesterol Level
High cholesterol seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. We see commercials on television advertising medicines we can take to lower our cholesterol level. We hear our doctor talk about lowering our cholesterol level. What exactly is cholesterol? How do you get it? Why is it bad for you? Are there any ways other than prescription medications to lower it?
First, cholesterol is a lipid which is naturally produced by the body to maintain cell membranes. The body actually makes all the cholesterol it needs for its functions. Our cholesterol level becomes high when either our bodies overproduce cholesterol or we take in too much cholesterol through the foods we eat.
High levels of cholesterol are bad for you because this excess cholesterol can build up in your arteries, causing heart disease and heart attack. High cholesterol is also responsible for strokes. All three of these conditions can be debilitating and in some cases, deadly.
How do you know if your cholesterol level is high? Your doctor can perform a blood test to determine what the level of cholesterol is in your blood. Sometimes your doctor may want you to take a fasting blood test, which means he will test the cholesterol level in your blood after you have gone without eating for a specified number of hours.
A high cholesterol level is medically defined as more than 240 mg/DL total. Your doctor may also divide your cholesterol level into “good” cholesterol or HDL cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. If your HDL cholesterol is above 40 mg/Dl this is considered ideal. Your LDL cholesterol level, however, should be less than 100 mg/DL. Any reading above this puts you at a greater risk for heart disease or heart attack. HDL cholesterol is considered good because it is this type that is carried out of the blood stream to the liver where it is broken down and expelled from the body. LDL cholesterol, however, is the kind that builds up in your blood vessels and arteries.
If your doctor deems your cholesterol level is high, there are several things you can do to lower this level. These things include eating a healthy low-fat diet and exercising regularly. Not only does the healthy diet and exercise help lower you cholesterol level, it can also help lower your weight which in turn decreases you chances of heart disease. If you are a smoker you should consider stopping. Also, limit your intake of alcohol and sugar. After trying all these things, if your cholesterol level is still not ideal, your doctor can put you on cholesterol lowering prescription medication. Remember, though, cholesterol medications can damage your liver, so they should be used only after other options have been exhausted.
As you can see, your cholesterol level has a very important impact on your total body health. It can even be life threatening if not controlled. See your doctor for a cholesterol test. If your cholesterol level is not within normal ranges, take action to lower it.
Still looking for a way to reduce your cholesterol? Try visiting http://www.eliminatecholesterol.com – a website that specializes in providing cholesterol advice, tips and resources to included information on cholesterol level.
Herbs and Ayurvedic Remedies for Cholesterol Treatment
Cholesterol buildup in the coronary arteries leads to the condition known as Hridaya roga in Ayurveda, which literally means heart disease. This is similar to atherosclerosis. When the cholesterol collects in the arteries leading to the heart, their lumen becomes narrow and the amount of blood entering the heart is insufficient. Due to this the heart needs to pump harder, causing several kinds of cardiovascular diseases, the worst of which is the fatal angina pectoris.
Cholesterol is present in fatty acids. Some cholesterol is needed for the proper utilization of foods in the body, formation of the hormones and the bile, etc. This is known as the high-density cholesterol, or simply, the useful cholesterol. The rest of the cholesterol simply builds up in the arteries without any apparent function. This is the low-density cholesterol, or the bad cholesterol.
The buildup of cholesterol can be reduced by several Ayurvedic treatments. Cholesterol reduction means safety from the various cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading causes of deaths in the world today.
(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Cholesterol
- Alfalfa (Medicago satina) Alfalfa is effective in treating problems of the arteries. It helps in clearing arteries congested with cholesterol.
- Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) Arjuna has been used since centuries in the treatment of heart related problems such as heart attacks. The bark of the arjuna when taken in powder form has beneficial properties. This can dissolve the cholesterol that accumulates in the coronary artery and reduce the possibility of heart attacks.
- Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) Coriander is a very good diuretic. It makes the kidneys perform their functions of excretion better. Therefore the kidneys flush out the excess unneeded cholesterols from the body.
- Garlic (Allium cepa) Garlic is very beneficial to people with cholesterol problems that affect the heart. Eating two to three cloves of garlic a day helps to reduce or even completely eliminate the harmful cholesterol in the blood. Garlic can disintegrate the blood cholesterol and hence free up the arteries.
- Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) This is a traditional Indian herb which has become very popular in the Ayurvedic treatment of cholesterol-related heart problems. It contains guggulsterones which have been proven to reduce the levels of cholesterol on regular use. 25 mg of these guggulsterones are prescribed for intake thrice a day.
- Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) Holy basil has the capacity to dissolve the accumulated cholesterol from the arteries into the person’s bloodstream. From here they are eliminated by the kidneys.
(2) Dietary Treatments for Cholesterol
The various dietary regimes which will help you to reduce the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries are as follows:-
- Keep a careful watch on the amount of calories you are consuming. Say no to chocolates, ice creams, red meats and all such foods that can increase the calorie count.
- Sources of fats such as fried foods are to be avoided. Groundnut oil must be strictly prohibited. But fat sources such as cow’s milk, cow’s ghee and cow’s butter are recommended. Buffalo dairy products are to be avoided.
- Consume more fresh vegetables and fruits. Green leafy vegetables are needed since they would provide roughage for the elimination of the waste materials.
- Soy and soy products are very beneficial for the proper utilization of cholesterol.
- Drink lots of water. Water will help to remove the toxic buildup in the arteries.
- Smoking and alcoholism must be avoided as they interfere with the proper utilization of cholesterol in the body.
(3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Cholesterol
Ayurvedic treatment for high level of cholesterol is to prescribe the various herbs that have properties to reduce the buildup.
One popular herb in Ayurvedic medicine is arjuna. It is prescribed in several forms such as Arjunarishta and Arjuna Ghritam. Other popular medicines are Hridayarnava Rasa and Prabhakara Vati. If the cholesterol amount is very profuse, then Mrigamadasava is prescribed.
Yoga is also very beneficial in proper circulation and elimination of the cholesterol buildup in the body. Some of the useful asanas are:- a) Ardhamatsyendrasana b) Shalabhasana c) Padmasana d) Vajrasana
(4) Home Medications
- Drinking coriander in water everyday helps in the reduction of cholesterol in the body. This regime must be continued for about a month. Then the cholesterol levels must be checked again.
- Boil a glassful of milk with a piece of garlic in it. This will reduce the cholesterol and take care of cardiac pains. It has to be continued for a few days before the method begins to show its effects.
- Have cold hipbaths twice daily. These have been shown to have positive effects in the reduction of cholesterol when taken on a regular basis.
- A simple remedy is to have a single piece of garlic every morning. This takes time to show results, but the results are positive.
- Consume some almonds and walnuts on a daily basis.
Author: Anna Hardy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger
Understanding Cholesterol and Heart Health
If you have a better idea of what cholesterol is and how you can manage it in your life, this information will lead to better heart health, and all round better feeling of well being. Cholesterol is a waxy like substance that is found in the walls of all your body cells, from your nervous system to your liver and in your blood stream as well. Your body uses this cholesterol to make necessary hormones, bile acids, vitamin D and other vital substances that your body needs to survive. There are good and bad types of cholesterol as well
Where does the Cholesterol in your body come from?
Your body manufacturers all the cholesterol your body requires from the foods you eat. This cholesterol will circulate in your bloodstream in packages known as lipoproteins, which consist of fat inside and protein on the outside. Cholesterol which is a fatty substance does not mix with the blood, just as oil does not mix with water. Your blood carries it to the parts of the body where it is required as mentioned above
Your Body has 2 Types of cholesterol in your body, both good and bad!.
Your body carries two types of cholesterol one which is good for your health and the other bad… These are known as low density lipoprotein or LDL which is the bad cholesterol which carries cholesterol that builds up in your body tissues including your heart arteries. Most cholesterol in your blood at any given time is the LDL cholesterol. The higher the levels are of LDL cholesterol in your blood stream; the higher your dangers are of contracting heart disease. So remember LDL is the bad cholesterol and you don’t want high levels of this type in your body.
The good Cholesterol in your body is called HDL cholesterol. This cholesterol carries cholesterol away from your tissues to your liver where it is harmlessly removed from your body by natural secretion. Low levels of HDL increase heart disease. Healthy levels of HDL are good for you. Do not get mixed up between the two.
Why are high levels of LDL Cholesterol bad for your body?
Too much cholesterol in your blood leads to blocked and clogged up body tissues including your heart arteries. This build up is called plaque and as a result your arteries become less flexible. You may have heard the term atherosclerosis; which is hardening of your arteries and as you know the end result can be a heart attack. It is not just your heart blood vessels that can suffer from too much cholesterol, but any of the arteries in your body as well. If your coronary artery becomes blocked by too much plaque you will suffer angina because your blood is unable to get the oxygen it needs or the nutrients to the heart muscle. Hardening of the coronary artery is called coronary heart disease which you may likely by now have heard somewhere or another. This form of heart disease is becoming common in the western world due to high cholesterol in the blood from; Yes; and you guessed it; from unhealthy eating habits!
The risk factors.
Certain risk factors nothing can be done about regarding heart diseases and cholesterol levels. These factors where risks of heart disease are increased, are age groups for men and women over 45, which are ages that will increase the likelihood of coronary heart disease from atherosclerosis. Family history of early heart disease is also a factor that must be taken into consideration. The lack of regular exercise and bad eating habits increase the risk of heart disease from cholesterol as well. Most fast foods are prepared in unhealthy fats which is a high risk factor more than anything else as well…
How to lower your risks of high cholesterol.
Perhaps you have heard some of these tips before but it is prudent to go over them again for your information:
1 Avoid foods with high animal fat content. Trim excess fat off meat
2. Eat Lots of fruit, vegetables, and fiber for your health
3. Eat less salt in your diet and limit salty snacks and foods.
4. Lose some weight if you are carrying too much according to your BMI (Body Mass Index)
5. Regular sensible exercise in moderation and plenty of fresh air.
6. Stay calm and avoid stressful situations.
7. Limit your alcohol intake to a sensible level.
8. Smoke less, or give up altogether if possible.
Other treatments that can be used if your doctor has found you to have unhealthy levels of cholesterol are certain drugs called ‘statins’ that will control the rate which your body produces cholesterol. These drugs increase HDL and lower the bad LDL cholesterols. See above about what we mentioned about the good and bad cholesterols.
Watch your diet and eat healthily
Choose healthy fats like olive oil, avocado pears, peanut butter, unsalted nuts and fish oils. Try and limit intakes of salt, polyunsaturated fats, sunflower oils, soft margarines and salad dressings like mayonnaise. (Some newer soft low cholesterol margarine is available on the market that is completely safe to use nowadays though).
Watch out particularly to avoid eating too much animal fats on meats, eat less eggs, cheese, fatty meats, butter, and ice creams and of course take out foods. Naturally you can eat any of the above as long as you are sensible about it. Everyone tells you to eat more fiber, and by now with this advice it should be a given. If you are not eating enough greens or fresh vegetables then take some sort of antioxidants or supplements. Cut down drinking of alcohol to one or two drinks a day.
There is some great advice and diets that have been designed to help people with high cholesterol reduce these high levels. With a little research you will find the right ways to control your cholesterol.
More Heart Health Information Here
Richard has been researching the internet for quality health, weight loss, and beauty products to keep people informed and able to enjoy a better quality of Life since 2005. You can use this information with confidence to look good and feel great.
Healthy Natural Lifestyles
Cholesterol ? Good, Bad and to Keep Cholesterol Level Low
When you hear the word cholesterol, what is your immediate reaction, or what comes first in your mind? Many people worry when they hear the word cholesterol. They perceive it as something that is always bad for the health. It is always associated with heart problems like hypertension and heart attack. But what cholesterol really is what it does to our body and health.
Cholesterol Defined
Cholesterol is a kind of fat or lipid found in the bloodstream and almost all parts of the body. It is a soft waxy substance in the body’s cells. Cholesterol is very useful because it is a component in forming cell membranes, some hormones. It is also needed for other body functions. Many of this substance is produced naturally inside of our bodies and some are from the food that we eat.
Cholesterol is not really a dangerous substance but it is actually one of those substances that our body needs to keep us healthy. However, it should be understood that there are two kinds of which, the good and bad cholesterol.
The Good and Bad
Since cholesterol is a kind of fat, it can not be directly dissolved in the blood. This substance is carried into and from the cell by another substance called lipoproteins. High-density lipoproteins or HDL is the good ones. This kind protects the body from heart diseases because the cholesterol is carried away from the arteries where fats could build up. It is also believed to remove other cholesterol from the arteries. This kind of cholesterol, however, should be maintained and monitored, because low level of this can also increase the risk of heart problems.
Bad cholesterol is known as the low-density lipoproteins or LDL. This kind highly contributes to the build up of plaque in the inner walls of the arteries. High levels of both compounds in the blood causes major risk of coronary diseases that could lead to heart attack.
Sources of Cholesterol
Though LDL is primarily produced in the body, the cholesterol from our food intake still contributes a lot to the total cholesterol count. Seventy five percent of our body cholesterol is produced inside and the remaining 25 percent comes from food. Almost all food that we take in everyday contains cholesterol and many of these foods contain large amounts.
Topmost of the list of food that contains large amounts of cholesterol is a food familiar to all and could be bought in almost all fast food chains and restaurants. Chicken and egg contains the highest count. These two are followed by livers, sea foods and Thanksgiving Day favorite turkey.
Unknowingly, our body cholesterol is also affected by hereditary means. There are some genes inherited from our parents or even grandparents that cause the cholesterol in our body to be too much produced.
Cholesterol Levels
Everyone should monitor cholesterol count because too much or too low cholesterol in the body bring a lot of sickness. The cholesterol count includes both the good and bad, both those produced inside the body and those that are acquired from food intake.
Cholesterol counts are determined through a blood test. Each person has a unique physicality that is why an individual should consult a doctor to know the cholesterol count that should be maintained. It is recommended especially people ages 20 and older to have lipoprotein fasting and test at least once in every five years. Consult a doctor for necessary medical routine before your cholesterol would be tested. Usually, doctors ask their patients to go on 10 to 12 hour fasting, meaning no food or pills taken. This determines the exact amount of good and bad cholesterol present in your blood and cells.
There are a lot of misconceptions about cholesterol especially with the food in take that make self-diagnosing patients worry about their health. As such, the best option is consultation to experts and living a healthy lifestyle.
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List of Things You Can Do to Lower Your Cholesterol
Experts say that people who are over 20 years of age should pay more attention to their cholesterol level and advise them to do everything they can to lower their levels of “bad” cholesterol. Despite the so many claims that you can lower your cholesterol level through low cholesterol diet plans, lifestyle changes, and monitored medication, more and more people who suffer from this condition still fail to lower their cholesterol level.
Although it is sometimes hard to stick with the needed requirements to be able to lower your cholesterol levels, it is still possible to get the result that you want by following these easy ways to lower to cholesterol:
1. Make sure you know where you stand by getting your levels checked regularly. Visiting your doctor and getting your cholesterol levels checked regularly is very important to achieving optimum health for good. Since high cholesterol is related to cardiovascular disease, make sure that you know your numbers so you can rearrange your diet and change lifestyle habits as well. Knowing your cholesterol level will also help you decide what kind of diet plan you should follow and if you need medication and treatment already. Knowing your starting point will also help you monitor your progress toward healthy cholesterol levels. If you know your exact cholesterol status then you can also do something to combat it by learning to quit cigarette smoking and excessive eating of high cholesterol foods.
2. Understanding the basics and learning everything you can about the condition. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol levels, the first thing to do is to understand the situation fully and acquire more information about the condition. By conducting your own personal research on the condition will also make you knowledgeable about initial lifestyle changes you can do to lessen the problem and you will also have an idea what other treatments options available. Knowing everything about cholesterol, its types, kinds, and health risks will also make you understand that the case is not really hopeless if you are in the right track.
Finding and getting more information about the condition will also make you realize that there are so many things that you can do. You can get more information from a registered dietician, local centers for nutrition, local hospital or public health department, and from a consultation with your attending physician or health care provider.
3. Watch your weight and get rid of extra pounds if needed. Monitoring your weight is one of the best ways to combat high levels of cholesterol. If you think you are overweight for your age and height, then you should be contemplating on slimming down to be able to decrease your high cholesterol level. Since being overweight disrupts a person’s normal metabolism of dietary fat, experts say that people who weight more than they should shout start planning on a healthy lifestyle and diet to lose weight safely.
But, before having a drastic change in your diet and lifestyle, make sure that you visit your doctor first to access your overall health. Doing this may prevent further damage especially if you have to undergo certain medications.
4. Get physical, do regular physical activities and exercises more often. The wonders of exercise are indeed very essential in lowering high cholesterol levels. Doing regular physical activities can also help raise the good cholesterol levels and lose weight as well. There’s really no need for high-intensity workouts, regular brisk walking or jogging can help the body boost HDL cholesterol and also beneficial for the heart.
5. Make a commitment and stick to that commitment. The best way to lower cholesterol levels is to be able to develop the discipline to stick to your goal. You can also lower your cholesterol level by acquainting yourself what are the good and the bad fat and its sources, by discovering the wonders of fiber in cutting down cholesterol, by taking in good multivitamins, by freeing yourself from lots of stress, and by exploring and considering treatment options when all else fails.
To learn about high cholesterol foods and normal cholesterol levels, visit the Cholesterol Guidelines site.
Cholesterol is a Major Building Block From Which Cell Walls are Made
Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver for normal body functions, including the production of hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D. Cholesterol is required to build and maintain cell membranes; it regulates membrane fluidity over a wide range of temperatures. Cholesterol is a building block in many important cell components especially the cell membrane and is the starting point for several hormones. About one third to one fourth of the total amount of cholesterol is HDL cholesterol.
HDL cholesterol is called the “good cholesterol” because HDL cholesterol particles prevent atherosclerosis by extracting cholesterol from the artery walls and disposing of them through the liver. LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol, because elevated levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Of particular interest is the finding that a high ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol is a powerful risk factor for a major cardiac event even when LDL cholesterol levels are normal. It is now clear that any food that lowers LDL cholesterol or raises HDL cholesterol is what we should be looking for.
Most cholesterol is LDL cholesterol, and this is the kind that’s most likely to clog the blood vessels, keeping blood from flowing through the body the way it should. Some cholesterol is normally present in plasma (the liquid part of blood) attached to proteins (lipoproteins) that transport it and other fat molecules around the body. When too much cholesterol is present, plaque (a thick, hard deposit) mayform in the body’s arteries narrowing the space for blood to flow to the heart. LDL cholesterol is more likely to clog blood vessels because it carries the cholesterol away from the liver into the bloodstream, where it can stick to the blood vessels.
Cholesterol is so important that the body produces its own cholesterol. Cholesterol in food and cholesterol in the blood are distinct entities, and they are often confused. You need some cholesterol to help your brain, skin, and other organs grow and do their jobs in the body. When you have too much cholesterol, it can be dangerous to your health.
Cholesterol levels naturally rise as men and women age. Many factors can contribute to high cholesterol, but the good news is there are things you can do to control them. Try to eat less saturated fat, limit the amount of trans fat, and limit cholesterol (check food labels if you’re not sure how much of these particular foods contain). Instead of eggs, try just egg whites or cholesterol-free commercial egg substitutes.
Changing from an unhealthy diet to a healthy diet can reduce a cholesterol level. If you find your blood cholesterol level is too high you can generally reduce it by following the advice of a trained dietitian, which generally means eating less fat and more fibre, and especially soluble fibre. Major dietary sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, beef, poultry, and shrimp. Here are some helpful tips you can try:Eat a diet that contains many low-cholesterol foods: fruits, veggies, whole grains (like breads and cereals), legumes (beans), and fish.
Eating a lot of fats and not getting enough exercise can cause cholesterol levels to rise. It’s also a good idea to get plenty of exercise to help control the amount of cholesterol in your blood and keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. Major health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommend that for good health and to reduce risk of chronic disease, adult Americans should participate in moderate-intensity aerobic (or cardio) exercise (such as brisk walking) for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days of the week or vigorous-intensity cardio at least 3 days of the week.
The Hypercet Cholesterol Formula can help support and maintain your healthy cholesterol levels already within the normal range.
Paul Rodgers specializes in marketing natural health and beauty products.
Causes of High Cholesterol – The Causes and Tips to Reduce High Cholesterol
The causes of high cholesterol are numerous and common. If you don’t have high cholesterol and your looking for a preventative measure, I applaud you and your efforts. Prevention is the best solution.
There is a tipping point at a certain level where you enter a danger zone. Although it takes years of bad habits and age to amplify the problem, cholesterol only becomes a problem at a certain point. At this high point, you have to start changing your diet and exercise in order to prevent heart disease. The problem is you are no longer allowed to have a balanced diet. People with high cholesterol are told to avoid high cholesterol foods and for some, this is the only source of protein and important nutrients.
Your job is to understand what causes high cholesterol in order to keep your levels at bay. The first aspect of cholesterol that everyone needs to know about is that their are 2 different types.
Good Cholesterol (Also known as, HDL cholesterol) – This is the type of cholesterol in the body that removes extra cholesterol from the body. You see, the body needs cholesterol to form cell membranes, produce vitamin D, produce bile to digest fat, and many other things. You don’t need too much cholesterol in order to follow through on these different processes. Your body uses HDL cholesterol in order to remove all the extra.
Bad Cholesterol (Also known as, LDL cholesterol) – This is the type of cholesterol that brings cholesterol to the rest of the body. Out of all the causes of high cholesterol, this has to be one of the most prominent. This type sends cholesterol to the cells. It is more likely to be turned into plaque by free radicals. When your cholesterol turns into plaque, it builds up on the artery walls. one day when your not aware, the bubble of plaque bursts and unleashes blobs of fat that get stuck and have the tendency to cause a heart attack.
The causes of high cholesterol really have to do a lot with the different types of cholesterol.
1. Overeating Saturated Fat Foods
If you eat foods with high saturated fat content, you are at a high risk for high cholesterol. Ingesting saturated fat always increases the level of cholesterol the body produces. The liver understands that their is more fat to process so it creates more cholesterol to take care of it. Remember, cholesterol is used in the production of bile. Since bile is necessary in order to process fat, cholesterol is required in order to produce bile.
In addition, fat is also turned into triglycerides or the basic form that is stored in the body. Cholesterol is required to transport this to the cells. Again, the more fat eaten, the more that has to be stored in the body. This is an additional burden that has to be carried through the blood and increases the constant level of cholesterol.
2. Lack of exercise
This is another one of the larger causes of high cholesterol in the body. Exercise is shown to increase levels of good cholesterol in the body. If you don’t exercise, your good cholesterol will ultimately me lower. If your good cholesterol level is low, there is not enough of it to transport all the excess out of your body.
3. Genetics
Studies have shown that genetics has a lot to do with different cholesterol levels. Even if you stay on a healthy diet and exercise, you can still have high cholesterol. This is one of the causes of high cholesterol that is very difficult to explain and treat.
Now that you know what it takes to reach high levels of cholesterol, try to prevent that from ever happening by keeping fit, eating healthy foods, and above all, by taking the right supplement. If you are at risk for high cholesterol, it is recommended that your daily supplement be specific for high cholesterol. Studies have shown the preventative powers of cholesterol lowering supplements. Their ingredients are a special blend of different cholesterol managing substances, vitamins, and minerals.
Author: George Christodoulou
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Programmable Pressure Cooker
Cholesterol at a Glance
It is extremely important for each and every single individual to learn the basics regarding cholesterol levels. Everyone stands the chance of developing high cholesterol. Here, we will take a glance at cholesterol and how it can affect you.
Cholesterol is created naturally in the body by the liver. However, there are many different types of foods that we can acquire cholesterol from as well. These foods include things like eggs, various types of diary products, and even different types of meat.
Many individuals are under the impression that cholesterol is a bad thing. This is not true. While there is a “good” cholesterol type, and a “bad” cholesterol type, this substance is needed for the proper functioning of the body.
The “bad” type of cholesterol is often referred to as “LDL”. This stands for low-density lipoprotein. While this is an essential component to the body, excess levels of it can result in serious health complications, such as heart disease. Extremely low levels of LDL cholesterol have been found to result in different types of cancers.
The “good” type of cholesterol is often referred to as “HDL”. This stands for high-density lipoprotein. It has been determined that this type of cholesterol is beneficial in protecting an individual against heart problems, and other health risks. This is due to the fact that it helps to eliminate the amount of “bad” cholesterol in the body and pushes LDL through the arteries.
Cholesterol is an essential in the process of producing hormones within the body. In addition to this, cholesterol also helps to create a steady supply of vitamin D in the body and increases the amount of acids that help to break down bile. This is important to the body as it helps to process and digest fat that the body is exposed to.
If an individual has too much cholesterol that is considered “bad” in the body, many different things occur. The first thing that happens is that the body starts to accumulate a buildup of plaque in the arteries. As time progresses, this results in what many refer to as the “hardening” of the arteries, or “atherosclerosis”.
When the arteries experience this type of complication, the passageways may become narrowed. This narrowing of the passageways may become so severe that the artery becomes obstructed. This will decrease the mobility of the blood in the body. As a result, the heart and other important organs of the body will fail to receive the proper amount of oxygen and nutrients.
When the body does not receive the necessary oxygen, nutrients, and other substances in the body, then that can result in the failure of the functionality of these essential body components. Many who have experienced this issue have experienced a heart attack, stroke, and other serious medical complications.
In addition to LDL and HDL cholesterol, there are two other types of cholesterol. The next type is called “VLDL”. This is also called “very low density lipoproteins”. This type is quite high when it comes to the amount of fats that are contained in it, but extremely low when it comes to protein.
The fourth type of cholesterol is called “triglycerides”. Specifically, this particular item is actually a “fat”. When an individual experiences VLDL, triglycerides are carried through the blood. This can pose a number of health risks for an individual.
There are many different factors that can affect the cholesterol levels of an individual. The first factor is an individual’s weight level. People who are overweight, or considered to be “obese” normally have high cholesterol levels. It is important to maintain a weight that is appropriate to the body mass index in order to avoid this complication.
The next thing that can affect a person’s cholesterol levels is their family medical history. It has been established that high cholesterol can actually run in the family. If an individual has a genetic predisposition of high cholesterol levels, it is likely that they will experience it as well.
If an individual is gaining in years, the possibility of acquiring high cholesterol is a possibility. It has been determined that as an individual ages, the possibility of experiencing high cholesterol is high. If a female experiences menopause, their chances of developing high cholesterol are also elevated.
People who have low levels of physical activity are prone to developing high cholesterol levels. It has been established that the average person should engage in approximately three to four hours of exercise on a weekly basic in order to increase the amount of HDL cholesterol in the body.
The next factor that can greatly increase the amount of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol in the body is an individual’s diet. Diet has one of the largest impacts on cholesterol levels. People who consume a healthy diet of various types of fatty fish, a variety of nuts, and soy-based products are less likely to have high cholesterol complications.
There are a number of medical conditions that can result in high levels of cholesterol. For example, many people who experience the devastating condition of diabetes may experience high levels of LDL cholesterol. It is important for these individuals to appropriately manage their sugar levels to decrease this possibility.
Many individuals pay no attention to their cholesterol levels. This can be a very unfortunate experience for many. For every five people in the world, there is at least one person who experiences high amounts of LDL cholesterol, and low amounts of HDL cholesterol. This issue should be taken very seriously.
Individual’s who suffer from the effects of high cholesterol levels can develop cardiovascular disease. People who suffer from this medical complication can experience a serious heart attack, and/or a stroke. While many may live to speak of their experience with a heart attack and/or stroke, there are many who do not. Cholesterol can actually turn fatal for many people around the world!
If you are concerned about your health, you should make an appointment with your doctor to determine if you have high cholesterol. If you find that you do, you should work closely with the treatment guidelines that your doctor outlines for you.
Author: V.K. Rajagopalan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty tariff
Diet to Lower Cholesterol – A Simple Explanation of Just What is Cholesterol
Many people understand that cholesterol is either bad for you or good but beyond that, they do not understand just exactly what is cholesterol. Doctors will give you a long explanation which only they can comprehend but cholesterol can be simplified in one statement. Cholesterol is a waxy material that the liver fabricates which is carries out a number of responsibilities for the health of our bodies.
When we consume foods in our daily diet, our liver takes the food and turns it into cholesterol which helps aid in developing bile salts to digest the fat, build cell walls, and to create vitamin D. So why would we worry about eating too many foods that produce too much cholesterol in our body? The answer lies in the fact that too much of anything is essentially bad for you. If we understand what is cholesterol, we can better steer clear of consuming to much cholesterol.
The Bad And Good Cholesterol.
One easy way to watch our cholesterol level is to understand what foods that we eat in our daily diet which produce the good cholesterol bad cholesterol. Foods that carry animal fat such as dairy and meats carry bad cholesterol, Foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains carry no cholesterol at all.
When we eat foods that have too much bad cholesterol it can cause some major damage such as the hardening of our arteries. This occurs when too much bad cholesterol is in our system because it builds up plaque which blocks the arteries and prevents blood flow.
Good cholesterol behaves very differently than bad cholesterol because its main goal to keep our bodies healthy. What the good cholesterol does is carry the surplus of cholesterol we have in our bodies to the liver so it can create bile salt and expel it from our system.
High Cholesterol Is Caused By What?
When we ask our doctor about our cholesterol level, it is usually because we are worried about having a high cholesterol level. Having a high cholesterol level can be caused for many different reasons but the main cause is age. You see, our cholesterol level goes up as we get older.
There are many things that can cause us to get high cholesterol levels. One thing is we may inherit from our parents. If your parents have high cholesterol, you should ask your doctor to be tested to make sure if you have it or not. Another thing is doing physical activity. When we exercise and do any other physical activity, this causes our good cholesterol levels to rise thus keeping us healthy.
When we are looking at the causes and cures for high cholesterol, we often find a direct link between the food we eat and our cholesterol levels. If we eat foods rich in fiber, vegetables, beans, fish, and fruits we can keep the good cholesterol levels up within our body. We also need to try and avoid eating foods that promote high cholesterol levels within our body like meat and dairy products.When we go to the doctor and he gives us our cholesterol reading, many do not understand just exactly what he is talking about. Many people know that cholesterol is either good for you or bad, but many do not understand what is cholesterol. Cholesterol is simply a waxy matter that the liver creates which handles a number of duties in our body.
Author: Delynda Lardone
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty rate
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