Cholesterol: Natural Ways To Maintain A Healthy Level Without Dangerous Prescription Drugs

January 6, 2010 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

CHEATING CHOLESTEROL

One of the main causes implicated in heart disease is damage caused by high cholesterol. Over 1,000,000 Americans have heart attacks each year, and 500,000 Americans die from heart attacks each year.

What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. Produced in the body by the liver, it is carried through the body to the cells and takes what it needs. The excess cholesterol is then transported back to the liver. If this excess isn’t picked up quickly, it can stick to artery walls and lead to cardiovascular disease. The body uses cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D and bile acids that help digest fat. Only a small amount of cholesterol is needed to meet these needs. Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream can be harmful.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is called the “bad” cholesterol. LDL carries most of the cholesterol in the blood. The cholesterol from LDLs is the main source of damaging accumulation and blockage in the arteries. High density lipoprotein (HDL) is the “good” form of cholesterol. HDL picks up and transports cholesterol in the blood back to the liver, which leads to its elimination from the body. HDL can help keep LDL cholesterol from building up in the walls of the arteries. It is a good idea to get a cholesterol reading to see what your ratio of LDL (bad cholesterol) is to your HDL (good cholesterol).
Can’t I Just Take Prescription Drugs?
Many cholesterol drugs are harmful. One of them, Baycol, has been taken off the market for causing fatal muscle breakdown and spasms. Many doctors are now aware of the increased cancer risk and problems with liver health from long-term use of these same cholesterol medications. There is a need for a safe and effective natural way to health that does not have the same toxicity problems as medical drugs.

From [http://www.askpatient.com:] Just a few of the comments from people who have or are taking the prescription drug Lipitor:
“I noticed that when I went on Lipitor, I became depressed with intermittent muscle pain. When I stopped the medication, I felt much better right away.”
“I thought I was having a heart attack. Went to the emergency room with sharp pains in the chest and hot flashes. Had a feeling of impending doom.”
“I hurt everywhere. I felt like I had been run over by a truck. I was weak at all times. I couldn’t walk across the room. Really, I thought I was going to die.”

Baycol is linked to 39 deaths in this country and more around the world. Bayer AG withdrew it from the market after concerns about the lethal side effects related to the breakdown of muscle cells. The main ingredient of Baycol and most cholesterol-lowering medications is statins, which have been linked to a life-threatening disease in which muscle cells are destroyed and released into the blood stream.
Natural Help To Maintain A Healthy Cholesterol Level
Policosanol: Policosanol is made from the waxes of plants such as yams and sugar cane, as well as beeswax. Policosanol has been used by millions of people to normalize cholesterol levels as well or better than cholesterol-lowering drugs – without side effects.

Based on current research, policosanol may be one of the most effective nutrients in lowering dangerous cholesterol levels. Policosanol can help lower cholesterol in both men and women and in all age groups. Over a dozen double-blind clinical trials have been published documenting policosanol’s safety, effectiveness and tolerability.

A double-blind study of twenty-two patients with high levels of cholesterol were given policosanol. After eight weeks, the patients who had been given policosanol had a sharp reduction in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. In another double-blind study, a larger group of 437 patients received either policosanol or a placebo once a day for twelve weeks. The patients who had been given policosanol showed a 25% reduction in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, a 17% reduction in total cholesterol and a 28% increase in HDL (“good”) cholesterol. The patients who took the placebo showed no reduction in total cholesterol.

Guggulipid: Guggulipid is made from the resin of a tree of North-Central India. In a study published in 1989 by the Journal of Associated Physicians, India, 125 patients receiving guggulipid showed an 11% decrease in total serum cholesterol, a drop of 16.8% in triglycerides and a 60% increase in HDL cholesterol within a few weeks. Patients with elevated cholesterol levels showed a much greater improvement than normal patients. In another study published, 205 patients receiving guggulipid showed a 70 to 80% reduction of serum cholesterol. There was no response found in the group that took a placebo.

Garlic: Taking garlic supplements can be very beneficial to fighting bad cholesterol. Garlic supplements help protect the lining of the arteries against oxidation. Garlic also prevents the formation of arterial blood clots, a primary cause of both heart attacks and strokes. Dozens of major studies show this to be true. A study published in the Journal Nutrition Research in 1987, showed that taking a garlic supplement reduced cholesterol levels in the majority of test subjects by as much as 31%. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1996, patients who took a garlic supplement showed a reduction in total cholesterol compared with those who took a placebo.

Another study published in Atherosclerosis in 1999, showed that there can be a large reduction of fatty plaque in the arteries of garlic supplement users. One of the substances that makes up fatty plaque is cholesterol. In a study of 280 adults, German researchers found that patients who took garlic daily had up to 18% less plaque in their arteries than those who took a placebo.

Soy: The FDA has approved soy as a method of lowering cholesterol levels. One published report in the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine in 1998 stated, “Soy has been a staple part of the Southeastern diet for nearly 5,000 years and is associated with a reduction in the rates of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. The research is now showing that phytochemicals in soy are the mechanism of action responsible.” The active compounds in soy responsible for these benefits are the isoflavones genistein, daidzein and glycine.

In a study to determine whether soy isoflavones would protect against atherosclerosis in mice, it was reported that mice that were fed a soy diet averaged 30% lower cholesterol. Adding to the evidence that soy is beneficial, the Journal of Nutrition in a September 1998 study reported that “the efficacy of the American Hospital Association Step 1 cholesterol-lowering diet can be improved with the addition of soy protein.”

Niacin: This B vitamin can dramatically help lower LDL cholesterol. Many studies, including one reported in the November 1998 edition of American Journal of Cardiology, have reported that niacin has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol, decrease triglycerides and lower LDL cholesterol.

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High Cholesterol Level: Risk Factors, Treatment Options

December 31, 2009 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) made by the body. About 80% of cholesterol is made by the body, the other 20% comes from the diet. Cholesterol is a building block for cell membranes. Our body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones (e.g., progesterone, estrogen, testosterone), vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat.

Many foods contain cholesterol and high intake of these foods can increase the level of cholesterol in the blood. Having too much cholesterol in the blood is not a disease in itself, but high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) can cause the formation and accumulation of plaque deposits in the arteries. Plaque is composed of cholesterol, other fatty substances, fibrous tissue, and calcium. When it builds up in the arteries, it results in the hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in the major vascular systems.

Narrowing of the arteries around the heart (coronary heart disease) can prevent the heart from getting as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, increasing the risk of a heart attack. Decreased blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke, and less blood flowing to the lower limbs may result in exercise-related pain or even gangrene.

Having a high cholesterol level does not cause symptoms and does not make you feel sick. If there is a huge excess, some people develop soft, yellowish skin growths called xanthomas, usually in the area near the eyes. Most people find out they have high cholesterol when they have their blood cholesterol measured as part of a medical check-up.

Types of Cholesterol

Cholesterol is not soluble in water and doesn’t mix easily with blood. In order to be able to travel in the bloodstream, the cholesterol made in the liver is combined with protein and other substances. This cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoprotein then carries the cholesterol through the bloodstream.

Lipoproteins can be high density (HDL), low density (LDL) or very low density (VLDL), depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.

LDL (low density lipoprotein)

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is called the “bad” cholesterol. About 70% of cholesterol is transported as LDL. This is mostly fat and not much protein. LDL causes cholesterol to be deposited in the arteries. High levels of LDL are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.

HDL (high density lipoprotein)

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is called the “good” cholesterol. It carries cholesterol from the body’s tissues back to the liver. About 20% of cholesterol is transported as HDL, which is mostly protein and not much fat. HDL cholesterol may help protect against atherosclerosis by preventing cholesterol from depositing on arterial walls as it circulates in the bloodstream.

Risks factors

There are several factors that may contribute to high cholesterol level in the blood:

  • Genetic predisposition. People are at a higher risk of high cholesterol if they have a direct male relative aged under 55 or female relative aged under 65 affected by coronary heart disease.
  • Diet high in saturated fat. Saturated fat and cholesterol come from animal foods such as beef, pork, veal, milk, eggs, butter, and cheese.
  • Sedentary lifestyle. Lack of exercise may increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol. Regular physical activity may lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol levels.
  • Overweight. Excess weight may modestly increase your LDL (bad) cholesterol level.
  • Age and sex. Cholesterol generally rises slightly with increasing age, and men are more likely to be affected than women.
  • Drinking alcohol excessively. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle.
  • Diabetes. Diabetes is a significant risk factor for all cardiovascular diseases.
  • Smoking. This applies not only if you smoke, but also if you live or work every day with people who smoke.

Treatment options

Lifestyle changes such as changing diet, managing weight, increasing exercise, and quitting smoking are the first steps to improving blood levels of cholesterol. If these changes are not enough, your physician might recommend cholesterol-lowering prescription medication.

Medications to improve blood cholesterol levels include:

  • Statins – are the most widely used, and also the most powerful medications for lowering LDL cholesterol. They work by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver. Statins not only lower blood LDL cholesterol levels, they also modestly increase HDL cholesterol levels and modestly decrease triglyceride levels. These medications are usually well tolerated, have few side effects, and are taken once or twice a day. Currently, six statin drugs are available: atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor).
  • Bile acid sequestrants – these drugs bind with cholesterol-containing bile acids in the intestines and are then eliminated in the stool. They typically lower cholesterol by 10 to 20%. Small doses of sequestrants can produce useful reductions in LDL cholesterol. Cholestyramine (Questran, Questran Light), colestipol (Colestid), and colesevelam (WelChol) are the 3 main bile acid sequestrants currently available. Bile acid resins are mainly used in young adults with hypercholesterolemia or in combination with another cholesterol-lowering medication.
  • Cholesterol absorption inhibitors – are a new class of cholesterol lowering agents approved in 2002. Drugs in this class work to lower blood cholesterol levels by absorbing excess cholesterol in the intestines and thus blocking cholesterol’s entry into the bloodstream. Ezetimibe (Zetia) is the first drug in this class. Ezetimibe reduces LDL cholesterol by 18-20%. It is probably most useful in people who cannot take statins or as an additional drug for people who take statins but who notice side effects when the statin dose is increased. Adding ezetimibe to a statin is equivalent to doubling or tripling the statin dose.
  • Nicotinic acid or niacin - this water-soluble B vitamin improves all lipoproteins when given in doses well above the vitamin requirement. Nicotinic acid lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, while raising HDL cholesterol levels. Niacin also widens blood vessels, making flushing and hot flashes frequent side effects.
  • Fibrates – these cholesterol-lowering drugs are primarily effective in lowering triglycerides and, to a lesser extent, increasing HDL cholesterol levels. These drugs include fenofibrate (Tricor) and gemfibrozil (Lopid).

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Natural Ways To Lower Cholesterol – 5 Natural Treatment Tips To Lower Cholesterol Quickly

December 25, 2009 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

How long does it take to lower cholesterol? That is a question that seems to plague almost anyone who suffers from high cholesterol. If youre suffering from high cholesterol, lowering your cholesterol level can never be fast enough; whether you’re seeking a natural way to lower cholesterol or via some other alternative treatment. According to an article by CNN in November 2006, more than 70 million Americans live everyday with some form of heart disease.” And the number is expected to rise steadily over the next 10 years.

Heart disease is Americas number one killer and probably, the number one killer in the industrialized world. The myth being perpetuated that cholesterol is never high before the age 40 is exactly that a myth. Dont believe a word of it.

The facts necessitate a quick guide to lowering your cholesterol quickly preferably opting for a natural and alternative treatment for high cholesterol.

But first for some good news. Cholesterol contrary to popular belief is not the cause of heart disease. The inflammation of arteries does that. Heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol levels. Thats right. There’s a lot of misinformation being passed around that cholesterol is bad – that cholesterol is the cause of heart disease. That’s so far from the truth. In fact, your body needs cholesterol to stay healthy. Your body uses cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D and bile acids to digest fat. And the truth of the matter is – your body requires only a small amount of cholesterol in the blood to meet these needs.

So why should you worry about lowering your cholesterol levels and maintaining it preferably at less than 200mg./dl.? Because failure in doing so can lead to the inflammation of your arteries … and that is when cardiovascular events like heart attacks will occur. It’s only when you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream (referred to as hypercholesterolemia) that problems start to arise. And this is where you need to pay attention. Because a high cholesterol level … let’s say north of 250, can and will lead to problems such as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis clogs arteries including your coronary arteries (arteries that feed the heart) and if left unchecked overtime, will lead to heart disease like angina and heart attack.

This is why you need to lower your cholesterol level and why it’s so important to keep those levels in check. Statins such as Zocor and Lipitor may be powerful, cholesterol-lowering drugs and helps to some extent, but … whether you believe it or not … these can cause more damage (liver toxicity is a common side effect) than good to your body in the long run. You don’t need these ill-effects creeping into your life just as you’re about to kick back and enjoy your retirement.

Don’t get me wrong … I’m all for taking prescriptions drugs under doctor’s orders if no other alternatives are made available. I’m sure you’ll agree with that.

But Im about to show you 5 tips you can go about lowering your unhealthy cholesterol levels without drugs right now and fast!

Heres how to lower your cholesterol the natural way:

Consume more healthy” fats

You must have heard of monounsaturated fats. Usually found in some types of nuts like almonds and walnuts, olive oils, canola oils and avocados. These healthy” fats lower bad” cholesterol (LDLs Low-Density Lipoproteins) but at the same time, help maintain the good” cholesterol (HDLs High-Density Lipoproteins).

Your doctor can vouch for the fact that consuming monounsaturated fat instead of saturated fat can lower your cholesterol levels quite drastically. You would have probably come across health advice about lowering cholesterol such as, Replace whole milk with skim milk,” Cut down on that refined sugar,” or Dump butter for margarine.” Most of that information is true except for dumping butter for margarine. Margarine increases the bad cholesterol and even worse, lowers the good cholesterol almost tripling the risk of a coronary heart disease.

Dont believe the TV ads and stay away from margarine. Dr. Allan Spreen calls margarine, plastic butter.” And he has a point. Why? Because being hydrogenated, margarine is in fact one molecule away from actually being plastic no kidding! To put it mildly, youre actually about one molecule away from eating Tupperware. Youre more than welcome to carry out a simple test to prove this. All you have to do is leave a container of butter and a container of margarine out for a while and watch. It will only be a matter of time when you see flies hovering your container of butter – avoiding the margarine altogether. If it’s not good enough for flies, you know you’re in trouble!

Lower your intake of bad” fat

Lowering cholesterol without drugs begins with this very important step simply limit your consumption of saturated fat. Saturated fat is said to stimulate your liver to produce LDLs or bad cholesterol that would simply clog up your arteries. According to Dr William Castelli, co-author of Good Fat, Bad Fat, he recommended that a smart diet to help lower cholesterol would take into consideration the amount of bad” fat consumed per day ideally being 20 grams a day. And thats just for those who are healthy.

A good idea would be to simply check your food labels when grocery shopping to get a sense of how much fat grams will be going into your body at any given day. Make this a habit because a simple precautionary measure like this can mean a lot to your long-term health.

Also, take note of trans-fatty acids. The name probably already gives it away it is another bad fat. Trans-fatty acids are chemically processed and will not only raise your total cholesterol levels but can also lower your HDLs. These acids are usually found in deep-fried fast foods, biscuits, shortenings and packaged pastries. Theyre not usually indicated on food labels so be extra prudent about your food choices.

Get a blood test

You will want to get a blood test if you find yourself gaining weight, losing hair, feeling depressed, feeling more tired than usual, more sensitive to cold than usual and sudden stiffening of your joints. These could be symptoms of an underactive thyroid medically termed as hypothyroidism. Diagnosing this condition with a blood test could nip the problem in the bud and save you from a rising cholesterol level.

While youre at it, ask your doctor to check your homocysteine level as well. Recent studies are pointing towards homocysteine as a better predictor of cardiovascular events. And there is a connection between hypothyroidism, homocysteine and heart disease. If you have an underactive thyroid, this prevents the absorption of B vitamins causing homocysteine levels to shoot up. The result is a 300 percent risk of a heart attack.

A good homocysteine level is under 8. Anything above that and your doctor should be able to prescribe you some supplements. These supplements would usually center around vitamins B2, B6, B12 and folate.

Can I have my eggs back?

Yes, you definitely can. According to the British Nutrition Foundation’s Nutrition Bulletin, dietary cholesterol in eggs “has no clinically significant impact” on heart disease. In fact, eggs are such a rich source of nutrients that avoiding them could cause more damage than good to your health.

I mentioned homocysteine. Well, according to a study from Harvard Medical School, choline may be effective in managing homocysteine. And where is choline found? You guessed it. Eggs. In fact the best source of choline is egg yolks. But if youre someone with elevated cholesterol or heart disease, you should check with your doctor about the number of eggs you can consume per week. Such cases are usually limited to two eggs per week.

Stop smoking and get moving!

Those are two obvious actions to take to keep your body in good working order. If youre overweight, you can be sure that your HDL readings will be low. Shed the weight and watch your HDLs rise. Its quite difficult to raise HDLs by dieting alone. You will need the combination of regular exercising and watching what you eat. Exercising helps in lowering your triglycerides (a blood fat linked to heart disease) as well. If you are serious about lowering your cholesterol levels, pay attention to triglycerides. Because apart from clogging up your coronary arteries, high triglycerides can lead to kidney disease and pancreatitis.

There is not much to be said about smoking that has not been said already. Its just bad. Smoking depresses HDLs considerably. It is a cause of heart and blood-vessel disease and basically causes irreversible damage to your overall health. There are no two ways about it. Smoking kills.

Here is a rough checklist to monitor your cholesterol levels and as always, consult with your doctor.

LDLs

Keep it less than 130mg./dl. Anything above 160mg./dl. is high.

HDLS

The higher the better. 35mg./dl. or less increases the risk of heart-disease.

Triglycerides

Keep it less than 150mg./dl. Anything above 200mg./dl. is high.

Total cholesterol

This is the combined measure of all blood cholesterols. Keep this less than 200mg./dl. Anything above 240mg./dl. is high.

Author: Rafael Todorini
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Managing Your Cholesterol – The Best Way To Prevent Hearth Attacks

December 9, 2009 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

Cholesterol is one of the most familiar medical words today. Everyone knows something about it , but mostly cholesterol is associated in our mind with something bad and unwanted that happens to old and overweight people.The facts show that about 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels.

Actually holesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance (lipid) that your body needs for many important functions, such as producing new cells , some hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat.. It is present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the brain, nerves, muscle, skin, liver, intestines, and heart.
In fact our bodies need cholesterol to function normally, but too much cholesterol can be bad for our health. Why ? Cholesterol and other fats can’t dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers. Cholesterol travels through your blood attached to a protein. This cholesterolprotein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are high density or low density depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits (a process called atherosclerosis) and cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is coronary heart disease. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure from a blood clot forming on top of a previous narrowing. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol because it can cause cholesterol buildup and blockage of your arteries. LDL is mostly fat with only a small amount of protein.

About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Medical experts think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL is called “good” cholesterol because it helps prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. It is mostly protein with only a small amount of fat.

Since there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol it is not only necessary to know your cholesterol level ,it is also important to know your levels of LDL and HDL.

The fact is that there are no symptoms of high cholesterol. Your first symptom of high cholesterol could be a heart attack or a stroke. The level of cholesterol can be measured only with a blood test.The results come as three main numbers:

Total Cholesterol LDL HDL The level of LDL should be less than 160. Total cholesterol should be less than 200. The level of HDL should be more than 35.

Most Important: Your LDL level is a good indicator of your risk for heart disease. Lowering LDL is the main aim of treatment if you have high cholesterol. In general, the higher your LDL level, the greater your chance of developing heart disease.

Remember : Regular cholesterol tests are recommended to find out if your cholesterol level is within normal range.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT YOUR LDL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS?

The main cause of high blood cholesterol is eating too much fat, especially saturated fat. Saturated fats are found in animal products, such as meats, milk and other dairy products that are not fat free, butter, and eggs. Some of these foods are also high in cholesterol. Fried fast foods and snack foods often have a lot of fat.

Being overweight and not exercising can make your bad cholesterol go up and your good cholesterol go down. Regular physical activity can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It also helps you lose weight. You should try to be physically active for 30 minutes on most, if not all, days.

Cigarette smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them likely to have cholesterol rich plaques rupture and have heart attacks. Smoking may also lower your level of HDL cholesterol by as much as 15 percent.

Also, after women go through menopause, their bad cholesterol levels tend to go up. There is also a rare type of inherited high cholesterol that often leads to early heart disease.Some people inherit a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which means that very high cholesterol levels run in the family.Other people, especially people for whom diabetes runs in the family, inherit high triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are another type of blood fat that can also push up cholesterol levels. People with high blood triglycerides usually have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels.

So we can make a conclusion that the main therapy is to change your lifestyle. This includes controlling your weight, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, not smoking and, in some cases, drinking less alcohol.

But , depending on your risk factors, if healthy eating and exercise don’t work after about 6 months to 1 year, your doctor may suggest medicine to lower your cholesterol level.

Now there are very effective medications called statins,such as Lipitor.
The drug works by helping to clear harmful low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body’s ability to form new LDL cholesterol. Each tablet Lipitor includes 20mg Atorvastatin. It is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body. Lipitor has shown the ability to halt, not just slow, the potentially fatal buildup of plaque in clogged arteries. While a handful of drugs now available slow the buildup of new plaque, or atherosclerosis, in coronary arteries, no drug on the market has been proven to both stop new build-up and clear existing plaque.

Author: Richard Clement
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One Reason High Cholesterol is a Bad Idea: Death

December 3, 2009 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

The truth? You cant handle the truth! Here’s some information you need to know:

Any total cholesterol level above 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood (written mg/dL) is considered borderline high. Extremely high total cholesterol is any reading above 240 mg/dL and one that puts you at risk for heart disease, liver failure, and other health problems. And here is why Americans are at serious risk:

  • 107 million, or 1 in 5 adults, has cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dL.
  • Almost 38 million more have levels above 240 mg/dL.
  • More women over age 45 have high cholesterol than men.
  • Almost 30 million prescriptions are written each year for cholesterol lowering drugs, accounting for $20 billion in annual sales for the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Americans spend $10 billion per year on the statin drug, Lipitor alone
  • In 2001, the statin drug, Baycol used to lower cholesterol was taken off the market due to toxic side effects.
  • Most drugs prescribed today to lower cholesterol are statin drugs.
  • Asians on average have an LDL cholesterol level of less than 95 because of their low fat diet. Anything under 100 for LDL cholesterol is considered good.
  • Diet and lifestyle changes, without the use of drugs, have been shown to decrease LDL cholesterol in one years time by 40 percent on average (from 144 down to 87 mg/dL.)

Q: What is cholesterol?

A: Cholesterol is a fatty substance present in most meaty foods and some vegetables. In normal amounts it is an important building block of bile acids, which help digestion, and steroid hormones. In the blood, cholesterol is found in particles containing both lipids (fats) and proteins; hence they are referred to as lipoproteins.

Q: Who should be tested for high cholesterol?

A: Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is important for everyone: young, middle-aged, and older adults; women and men; and people with or without heart disease. Adults 20 years and older should have their cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. Those found to have elevated cholesterol requiring changes in diet or drug therapy, or who have been diagnosed with heart disease will require more frequent lipid profile testing, at least annually.

Q: Why should I test my cholesterol level?

A: As one of the major risk factors for developing heart disease, your blood cholesterol level affects your chances of having a heart attack. It is important to find out what your cholesterol levels are because lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens the chance of having a heart attack or dying from heart disease, even if you already have it.

Q: Besides cholesterol, what are other risk factors for heart disease?

A: Cholesterol is only one risk factor that may lead to heart disease. The other major risk factors are listed below. Your doctor can help you to understand your risk for heart disease by taking into account these other factors along with your cholesterol.

  • Cigarette smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • Early heart disease in a close relative (before age 55 in men & 65 in women)
  • Age more than 45 for men or 55 for women
  • LDL and HDL cholesterols
  • Life habit risk factors (obesity, physical inactivity and fatty diet)

Q: What is LDL?

A: Often called “bad cholesterol,” LDL is the main source of cholesterol build-up and blockage in the arteries.

Q: What is HDL?

A: Often called “good cholesterol,” HDL helps keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries.

How does cholesterol cause heart disease? When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. Over time, this buildup causes “hardening of the arteries” so that arteries become narrowed and blood flow to the heart is slowed down or blocked. The blood carries oxygen to the heart, and if enough blood and oxygen cannot reach your heart, you may suffer chest pain. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by a blockage, the result is a heart attack.

High blood cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms; so many people are unaware that their cholesterol level is too high. It is important to find out what your cholesterol numbers are because lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens the risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease, even I you already have it. Cholesterol lowering is important for everyone-younger, middle age, and older adults; women and men; and people with or without heart disease.

Everyone age 20 and older should have their cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. It is best to have a blood test called a “lipoprotein profile” to find out your cholesterol numbers. This blood test is done after a 9 to 12 hour fast and gives information about your:

  • Total cholesterol
  • LDL (bad) cholesterol
  • The main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries
  • HDL (good) cholesterol
  • Helps keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries
  • Triglycerides
  • Another from of fat in your blood

Saturated Fat & Cholesterol an evil combination

If you are trying to control you blood cholesterol level, you must limit not only the amount of cholesterol you consume, but also the amount of saturated fat, which appears to stimulate the body’s production of cholesterol.

Although they’re often mentioned together, cholesterol and fat is not the same thing. Cholesterol is found only in animal products – meats, poultry, dairy products, and eggs.

Steps you can take to keep your cholesterol level down:

Substitute unsaturated fats for saturated fats

Polyunsaturated fats (such as safflower and corn oil) and monounsaturated fats (such as olive oil) help to lower blood cholesterol levels.

But this doesn’t mean you should add any of these fats to your diet – you should still keep your total fat intake at or below 30 percent of your daily calories. Replace butter in cooking with olive or corn oil. Substitute fish for some of the red meat and poultry in your diet.

Lose weight, if necessary

Not only does excess body fat raise your total blood cholesterol and LDL levels, but it also is an independent risk factor for heart disease. On average, each two pounds of excess body fat contributes one mg//dL of total cholesterol.

Exercise

A program of regular aerobic exercise may help lower total cholesterol and raise HDL. To get this benefit, as well as the other benefits exercise offers, you should exercise at least three times per week for thirty minutes a session.

Increase your consumption of food high in soluble fiber

Oat bran is certainly the most familiar of these food along with legumes and other vegetables, such as black-eyed peas, kidney beans, sweet potatoes, zucchini, and broccoli. In the fruit category, bananas, apples, pears, and oranges have some soluble fiber.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking increases total cholesterol and reduces HDL, and is an independent risk factor for heart disease as well.

Author: Ian Mackie
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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