Top 3 Lower Cholesterol Foods
If you suffer a high cholesterol level, you may possibly be looking for to lower cholesterol by eating appropriate foods. Well, it is probable to reduce your cholesterol by intake a selection of foods. Now are 3 foods you can try out.
1. Olive oil is an brilliant well-chosen to lower cholesterol. Olive oil is excessive in monounsaturated fats which are reckoned to prevent the incorporation of cholesterol by the body. This oil is a fruit-juice, which is cold hard-pressed olive juice and olives are a fruit. Olive oil lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) but doesn’t drop good cholesterol (HDL). Olive oil compounds additionally enhance enzymes to stop instigation of carcinogens and enhance their taking away from the body. These compounds appear to long-winded development of cancer cells and spread their self-destruction.
2. Beans are an extra food to lower your cholesterol. Beans and peas consist of high-level soluble fiber, which effectively manages cholesterol level in your body. Beans contain lecithin, which focal point reduce cholesterol. Eating one-half cup of cooked dry beans all generation to help let down whole cholesterol levels. Sinkare plus low-fat and taste terrific. An Research Service study in North Dakota confirmuantity ofthat beans are furthermore healthy for the heart.
Eating fatty fish is a superior way to decrease cholesterol. Look in support of a high-fat species such as salmon and tuna. These are the types of fish with the purpose of contain the highest amounts of the omega-3 fatty acids so as to are successful at balancing out cholesterol levels. At in the beginning it may possibly seem like fatty species of fish be supposed to be avoided but the Omega-3s in salmon and tuna help decrease triglycerides.
The Startling Truth About Cholesterol
* Cholesterol is produced by almost every cell in the body.
* Cholesterol in cell membranes makes cells waterproof so there can be different chemistry on the inside and the outside of the cell.
* Define “good” and “bad” cholesterol.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is known as “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in the walls of your arteries and form a thick, hard plaque that clogs your arteries and blocks the flow of blood to your heart and brain. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is called “good” cholesterol because it helps eliminate bad cholesterol from the body.
* Where does cholesterol come from in the body?
Your body produces cholesterol naturally. Your liver makes cholesterol, as do other individual cells throughout your body. Once cholesterol is produced, it can make its way into your bloodstream.
* What does this process mean to you?
Take the cholesterol your body makes and add it to the cholesterol you get from food. Now you can see how easily cholesterol can build up in your bloodstream and how your overall cholesterol level can increase.
* Cholesterol is nature’s repair substance, used to repair wounds, including tears and irritations in the arteries. Many important hormones are made of cholesterol, including hormones that regulate mineral metabolism and blood sugar, hormones that help us deal with stress, and all the sex hormones, such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone.
* Cholesterol is vital to the function of the brain and nervous system. Cholesterol protects us against depression; it plays a role in the utilization of serotonin, the body’s “feel good” chemical. The bile salts, needed for the digestion of fats, are made from cholesterol.
* Cholesterol is the precursor of vitamin D, which is formed by the action of ultra-violet (UV-B) light on cholesterol in the skin.
* Cholesterol is a powerful antioxidant that protects us against free radicals and therefore against cancer. Cholesterol, especially LDL-cholesterol (the so-called bad cholesterol), helps fight infection.
Hyperlipidemia is a key factor associated with an increased risk of the development of cardiovascular disease. Also referred to as high cholesterol, dyslipidemia, and lipid disorder, hyperlipidemia is a
condition by which unhealthy levels of cholesterol circulate in the blood.
The human body obtains cholesterol in two ways:
up to 80% of the cholesterol is produced endogenously in the liver; the remainder is obtained from the diet in the form of animal products such as meats, fish, eggs, and dairy.
While there is not a readily accepted level of cholesterol in the human body that is considered ‘safe’, most clinical guidelines list Total Cholesterol levels under 200 mg/dl as desirable.
Eating healthy food is the first step toward health.
The next step is seeing to it that the body has optimal ability to digest and metabolize that food.
Fortunately, healthy food is much easier to digest and assimilate, especially when properly prepared so that the enzyme systems are intact. At Capture Your Health, we can identify supplements you might need to assist digestion, assimilation and absorption of food. You may benefit from beginning with a program to detox the body.
Myths & Truths about Cholesterol
Myth: People with high cholesterol are more prone to heart attacks.
Truth: Young and middle-aged men with cholesterol levels over 350 are slightly more at risk for heart attacks. Those who have cholesterol levels just below 350 are at no greater risk than those whose cholesterol is very low. For elderly men and women of all ages, high cholesterol is associated with a longer lifespan.
Myth: Cholesterol & saturated fat clog arteries.
Truth: There is very little cholesterol or saturated fat in the arterial plaque or clogs. Most of the material is a calcium deposit akin to lime and most of the fatty acids are
unsaturated.
Myth: Eating saturated fat and cholesterol-rich foods will cause cholesterol levels to rise and make people more susceptible to heart disease.
Truth: Many studies show no relationship between diet and cholesterol levels; there is no evidence that saturated fat and cholesterol-rich food contribute to heart disease. As Americans have cut back on saturated fat and cholesterol-rich foods, rates of heart disease have gone up.
Myth: Cholesterol-lowering drugs have saved many lives.
Truth: In the two most recent trials, involving over 10,000 subjects, cholesterol-lowering did not result in any improvement in outcome.
Myth: Countries that have a high consumption of animal fat and cholesterol have higher rates of heart disease.
Truth: There are many exceptions to this observation, such as France and Spain.
Furthermore, an association (called a “risk factor”) is not the same as a cause. In wealthy countries where people eat a lot of animal foods, many other factors exist that can contribute to heart disease.
Please contact your health care provider should you have any questions concerning cholesterol, and please know your numbers.
Author: Bud Tarreto
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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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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Cholesterol Facts – Cholesterol Reduction Treatment
With all the news and warnings about the dangers of high cholesterol, many people view cholesterol as a “bad” substance that should be eliminated completely from our lives. In truth, cholesterol serves some important functions in the body. In order to understand how cholesterol affects the body, one must first understand what cholesterol is.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is attached to the fats in our bloodstream and is present in all of the cells of the body. Cholesterol comes from food that we eat, as well as being manufactured directly by the liver. Cholesterol is an important regulator in the bloodstream, as it helps to regulate the formation of many cells as well as hormones. However, to have too high or too low of a cholesterol count in the blood can be a very dangerous factor, often leading to a heart attack or a stroke. Although cholesterol is prevalent in the blood stream, it cannot dissipate in the blood. The cholesterol maneuvers throughout the body attached to lipids (fats).
There are two main types of cholesterol. The first type is called LDL cholesterol, and the other is HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol, otherwise known as low-density lipoprotein, is considered the “dangerous” cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up on the artery walls. Over time this plaque build-up blocks blood flow, reducing circulation and causing stress and damage to the heart. This raises blood pressure, and eventually leads to heart disease or a heart attack. Individuals that have higher levels of LDL run a much higher risk of having heart disease. Although LDL is affected by genetics, there are several precautions that individuals can take towards keeping safe LDL levels.
The other form of cholesterol is HDL, or high-density lipoprotein. HDL is considered the “good” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is important for the body to have as this type of cholesterol helps filter out LDL cholesterol from the lining of the arteries, as well as transporting fat in the bloodstream (triglycerides) to the liver so that it can be excreted from the body. It is believed that even having high levels of HDL is safe, as it can help protect one’s heart from a heart attack or stroke. Low counts of HDL could potentially lead to a heart attack and stroke, however this is rare for people eating a western-style diet, which is typically high in both forms of cholesterol.
Most of the cholesterol in our bodies comes from the foods we eat. Foods high in fats, particularly saturated and trans fats, contribute to high levels of LDL cholesterol. Meat and dairy products are the main sources of LDL cholesterol, while leafy vegetables, fruits, and nuts are more nutritious alternatives that have higher levels of HDL cholesterol. While genetics does play a role in cholesterol levels, a change in diet is the most effective way to lower dangerous cholesterol levels, and reduce your risk of heart disease and associated health problems.
Certain natural substances found in Vasacor, including plant sterols, fish oils, and policosanol have been shown in numerous clinical studies to be highly effective in promoting healthy cholesterol levels, particularly when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, now is the time to make a change, and Vasacor can help.
The Article is Originally Published Here: Cholesterol Facts
Learn More:
Vasacor Cholesterol Treatment – Vasacor helps to reduce LDL (Bad Cholesterol) levels and improve HDL (Good Cholesterol) levels.
Cholesterol Reduction – a Doctor’s Guide
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Control Cholesterol Naturally
Blood Cholesterol is produced by our body for several purposes.In some people it is produced more than is required by our body,especially when the diet contains saturated fats. Saturated fats in the diet force the body to make too much cholesterol. The cholesterolmay become high when our diet is rich in saturated fats that are found only in animal products. Plant foods do not contain any cholesterol, but the animal foods are loaded with cholesterol and fats. Most of the fast foods are very rich in fats, monounsaturated fats. If youeat lot of meats and fast foods, then the chances are that you have high cholesterol. You should get your blood cholesterol checked. Remember that without your blood cholesterol report, you can not know if you have high cholesterol.
Blood cholesterol can be both good and bad. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol & HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol. The LDL cholesterol is knownas “bad cholesterol” because it gets deposited on the walls of thearteries as plaque, and restricting the flow of the blood. The HDL cholesterol, known as the “good cholesterol” helps remove the plaquefrom the arteries. Both the types of cholesterol are produced by ourbody for certain functions and are always present in our blood. The problem arises when the cholesterol is produced more than is required by our body. The following are the desirable levels of cholesterol in adults:
Total Cholesterol: below 200 mg/dlLDL cholesterol: less than 130 mg/dLHDL cholesterol: more than 35mg/dL
HDL cholesterol of less than 35mg/dL is a risk factor for heart disease, even if your total cholesterol is within limits. Both LDL and HDL cholesterol can be improved with regular exercise and eating low fat cholesterol friendly foods.
To take better care of your heart and reducing your risk for heart attack, you must understand the complete facts about cholesterol and howto control cholesterol.
Note that you do not always need to take medication to lower cholesterol. There are several natural heart friendly foods that are good for controlling cholesterol without any medication. Good eating habits and some exercise can control your cholesterol and triglycerides naturally.
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Lower Your Cholesterol and Live Longer
Cholesterol is formed from two different sources, as it is both created in the liver and derived from the different foods that we consume. There are also two different forms of cholesterol, LDL and HDL. LDL cholesterol is considered to be the bad form of cholesterol because it has a tendency to build up inside the walls of arteries, which can lead to inflammation and the formation of clots, and eventually even heart disease.
HDL cholesterol, however, helps to transport LDL bad cholesterol out from the blood vessels, and back into your liver where it can be processed properly and then eliminated. Both LDL and HDL cholesterol come together to form what is your total cholesterol count, along with your triglycerides. Generally, you should be aiming for a high HDL, and a low LDL in order to make your heart the healthiest.
For many people, genetics can easily be blamed for unhealthy cholesterol numbers
However, this is not always the case because many people also have unhealthy cholesterol numbers thanks to a diet which is high in saturated fat which is converted into cholesterol in the body. But for most people, it is actually a combination of both of these things which creates the unhealthy cholesterol level in their bodies.
When it comes to high in saturated fat foods, which cause your bad cholesterol level to rise, the typical suspects are foods which are high in animal fats, such as whole-milk dairy products, pork, lamb, veal and beef among others.
There are also foods which are naturally high in cholesterol, such as the yolk of an egg, but it is still debatable whether this cholesterol is actually bad for you or not. Cutting back on these foods, or eliminating them from your diet all together is generally the recommended course of action if you are dealing with high cholesterol.
The process of lowering your blood cholesterol begins with diet modification
By lowering how much saturated fat you consume, and increasing the amount of soluble fiber foods you consume, you can reduce your cholesterol. Foods which are high in soluble fiber, like oatmeal, strawberries, citrus fruits, peas and Brussels sprouts can bind to the cholesterol which is present in your intestines, which helps the body excrete them. Additionally, these soluble fiber foods are also typically low in both fat and cholesterol, in addition to being packed with heaps of healthy nutrients and vitamins.
Another great way for you to begin the process of lowering your bad cholesterol levels is to lose a small amount of weight. 10 pounds is typically enough to start showing an improvement in your cholesterol level, because excess weight can significantly raise your LDL cholesterol level, and could possibly be lowering your HDL cholesterol as well.
Finally, if you are a smoker you should be aware of the fact that smoking can significantly reduce your HDL cholesterol level, so your heart health may be significantly boosted by quitting. Within a few weeks or months, you will notice that your HDL cholesterol level is rising, which will improve your cholesterol level and the health of your heart.
There are a variety of different ways to treat problems with high LDL cholesterol levels, and there are five different groups of drugs which are used to lower cholesterol levels. Typically, someone with high cholesterol will take one of these drugs from two of these different categories in order to achieve effective treatment.
Statins: These drugs help to prevent the liver from creating new cholesterol. Some of the drugs in this category include Atorvastatin, which is better known as Lipitor, Fluvastatin, which is better known as Lescol, Rosuvastatin which is better known as Crestor, and Simvastatin which is better known as Zocor.
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors: These drugs help to prevent the absorption of cholesterol in your small intestines. Some of the drugs in this category include Ezetimibe, which is better known as Zetia, and Vytorin which combines Zetia with a statin Simvastatin fibrate like gemfibrozil or fenofibrate.
Bile Acid Binding Resins: These drugs work in the intestines in order to bind to cholesterol, aiding your body in the process of excreting it. Some of the drugs that are in this category include Cholestyramine, which is known as Questran and Prevalite, Colestipol which is better known as Colestid, and Colesevelam which is better known as WelChol.
Niacin: Niacin is a form of vitamin B, and it may work by decreasing the production of cholesterol in your liver, but it is not totally clear yet how therapeutic doses of Niacin actually reduce cholesterol. There are several brand names for this form of Niacin, including Niaspan and Advicor, which actually combines the Vitamin B Niacin with a statin called Lovastatin.
Because your cholesterol levels contribute so heavily to the health of your heart, it is imperative that you maintain health levels in order to live a long, healthy life. If you continue to maintain a high LDL bad cholesterol level, the heart of your health will deteriorate, and you will find years shaved off your life. Maintaining a healthy level of cholesterol is an easy task as long as you understand the impact that cholesterol has on your body and how you can control it.
If you cannot control your blood cholesterol by yourself through exercise and proper nutrition, you should consult a doctor to find the right medication cocktail which will do the trick.
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A Guide to Controlling Cholesterol For Senior Citizens
High blood cholesterol level is linked to an elevated risk of heart disease and having a heart attack. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Over one million Americans have heart attacks, and approximately half a million people die from heart disease every year. Because of this, it is very important that people, particularly senior citizens, monitor their cholesterol and take the necessary measures to keep it in a healthy range.
Cholesterol is a fat like substance. When there is too much of it in your blood, it will begin to build up in your arteries. This causes the arteries to become narrower over time, slowing or blocking blood flow to the heart. Oxygen is carried throughout the body in blood. If not enough oxygen is carried to the heart, you may experience chest pain. When blood supply to part of the heart is cut off completely, you will experience a heart attack.
High blood cholesterol alone does not have any symptoms, so many people do not realize that their cholesterol is too high. Because of this, it is important to monitor your cholesterol levels; and if they are too high, take the necessary steps to lower them. Everyone 20 years of age or older should get their cholesterol checked at least every 5 years. Senior citizens should be especially vigilant about this because cholesterol levels rise as we age.
The lipoprotein profile is a blood test done after fasting that checks your blood cholesterol levels. It will give you information regarding your total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides. If you are not able to get a lipoprotein profile, knowing your total cholesterol as well as your HDL cholesterol can give you a good idea about your blood cholesterol levels.
HDL or good cholesterol actually reduces risk of heart disease, so higher levels of HDL are favorable. Levels higher than 60 mg/dL of HDL are considered positive. Less than 40 mg/dL is considered low and increases the risk of heart disease. Triglycerides act like LDL or bad cholesterol, high levels increase the risk of heart disease. Levels greater than moderately high (150-199 mg/dL) or high (200 mg/dL and above) may require treatment.
Factors that Affect Cholesterol Levels
Many elements of our lifestyle affect blood cholesterol levels, including diet, weight, and physical activity. As we age, we tend to become more sedentary and eat less nutritious meals, this makes senior citizens more likely to become overweight or obese. These factors contribute to senior citizens having an elevated risk of developing high cholesterol. It is important that senior citizens with high cholesterol and those responsible for their elder care consider what may be contributing to their condition.
Diet.Eating foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol raise your cholesterol levels. On the other hand, taking in less saturated fat and cholesterol lowers your cholesterol levels.
Weight.Being overweight or obese greatly increases your risk for developing heart disease. It also is associated with high cholesterol levels. Losing weight helps lower both the risk of heart disease and blood cholesterol levels.
Physical Activity.A sedentary lifestyle is associated with a greater risk of heart disease. Regular physical activity helps to lower total cholesterol levels and facilitates weight loss.
There are other factors that affect cholesterol including age, gender, and heredity. Note, because blood cholesterol levels rise with age, senior citizens are at especially high risk for developing high cholesterol levels.
Treating High Cholesterol Levels
The primary goal of treatments to lower cholesterol is to decrease the risk of heart disease. There are two primary ways to lower cholesterol levels: Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) and medication.
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) includes various steps you can make to lower LDL cholesterol, including diet, weight control, and physical activity.
The TLC Diet. This eating plan is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. It requires less than 7 percent of calories to be from saturated fat and less than 200 mg of cholesterol intake per day. If LDL levels are not sufficiently lowered by decreasing saturated fat and cholesterol alone, soluble fiber intake should be increased. To increase its LDL-lowering power, foods that have plant stanols or sterols (like cholesterol-lowering margarines) can also be included in the diet.
Weight control.If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can help lower LDL. It is particularly important when one has high triglyceride and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels, and is overweight or obese.
Physical Activity. Everyone is recommended to partake in regular physical activity, or at least 30 minutes a day at least 4 days week. It helps to increase HDL and decrease LDL levels. It is particularly important when one has high triglyceride and/or low HDL levels, and is overweight or obese.
Drug Treatment
Drug treatment must be accompanied by the lifestyle changes described above. There are many drugs that, in addition to TLC, help lower cholesterol levels. These include statins, nicotinic acid, bile acid sequestrants, fibric acids, and cholesterol absorption inhibitors. Statins are safe for most people and are very effective. Nicotinic acid lowers LDL and triglyceride and increases HDL levels. Bile acid sequestrants lower LDL and can be used along with statins. Fibric acids primarily lower triglyceride and increase HDL levels. Cholesterol absorption inhibiters lower HDL and can be used along with statins. Your physician will help you decide which drug is best suited for you.
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Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers
One of the most useful tests an adult can take is the cholesterol test. The results of this test can indicate a potential problem when taken in combination with other risk factors. The usual cholesterol test is the lipoprotein profile. Cholesterol is made in your body by your liver.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that combines with protein and travels in bile into the intestine where it is absorbed and enters the bloodstream to help make and maintain cells, make hormones and strengthens nerves. However, bad cholesterol builds plaque in the arteries blocking blood flow and causes heart disease and heart attacks.
The Importance of Your Cholesterol Reading
If you are older than 20 of age, your doctor has probably already taken a cholesterol test as part of a physical exam. You should have probably already had your cholesterol reading explained to you and, if necessary; have discussed any necessary actions you need to take to change your lifestyle. You should understand how your cholesterol reading impacts your life by now.
The Numbers
The results of the test will show cholesterol numbers such as low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density protein (HDL) and triglycerides as well as the total of all cholesterol. LDL is bad cholesterol. The density is the ratio of fatty cholesterol to protein.
Low density means that the ratio of protein is low and the cholesterol is high in fat. HDL, of course is the good cholesterol with high protein ratios. Triglycerides are fats traveling in the blood. Extra calories, alcohol and sugar convert to triglycerides and are stored in fat cells. So far, only the HDL is good.
Your cholesterol reading should have LDL levels under 100 for the best results and below 130 is still acceptable. LDL is the bad cholesterol and you should keep that number low. If your cholesterol reading shows LDL of 130 or above, your doctor will suggest some action for you to improve the diet or exercise.
Your cholesterol reading should have HDL levels over 60. You have to keep HDL number high. If you are a man and your HDL is below 40 (50 for a woman); your doctor will provide you advices to improve it. Your cholesterol reading for triglycerides should be under 150. Lastly, your total cholesterol reading should be below 200.
Understanding the Cause of Your High Cholesterol
Your doctor will ask you about your important cholesterol information. Know your numbers: Get a cholesterol test and find out how much HDL and LDL cholesterol you have. Like so many other medical problems, high cholesterol is made worse by smoking.
Your medical history also played an important part for the cholesterol information. If you found that your blood pressure is high, it may be due to high cholesterol. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, can increase cholesterol as well. Your family medical history is just as important.
While you may not know the cholesterol numbers of your families, their medical conditions can give your doctor a good idea of possible problems and whether they can be avoided by change of lifestyle or will require medication.
Information about your lifestyle is also important: To play your part well, you should have a healthy diet, keep your weight under control and exercise regularly..
However, your body needs some cholesterol to function and your liver manufactures it. Good cholesterol information includes where to find cholesterol in your food. Since cholesterol comes from your liver, a good rule of thumb is if your food had a liver, it contains cholesterol.
As for dairy products, cholesterol is found in the fat part of the food. Whole milk contains more cholesterol than non-fat milk. Cholesterol also found in the egg yolks. If your food has a nutrition label, look at the listing for saturated fat. The best amount is zero grams. Besides meat and dairy products, palm and cocoanut oils contain saturated fats.
Here’s some good cholesterol information: polyunsaturated fats are not bad for you unless they are hydrogenated. This is done to keep them stable in manufactured foods.
Get the cholesterol information you need now to stay healthy.
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Cholesterol: Natural Ways To Maintain A Healthy Level Without Dangerous Prescription Drugs
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.
Author: Todd Pliss
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Import duty tariff
Foods High in Cholesterol – A Source of Heart Diseases
Most foods that are available today are foods high in cholesterol. Cholesterol has been a sensitive issue for decades. Understand the impact of total cholesterol and high cholesterol, in particular, is important to maintain our health and our quality of life.
The thing to understand is that when we talk about cholesterol, we are actually talking about three different things: the good cholesterol (HDL), bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. Triglycerides are cholesterol but are not really very closely related to normal cholesterol. Now, not all of these things are unhealthy or that cause disease. In fact, the body requires cholesterol and triglycerides also. The trick is to identify good and includes them in their daily diet, while avoiding unhealthy. Cholesterol and triglycerides of fish is good. Omega-3 fats found in fish numbers are recommended by doctors and nutritionists to patients suffering from diseases caused by cholesterol, and Omega-3 actually helps to reduce bad cholesterol level.
Foods high in cholesterol is not always the fault of cholesterol-related problems. The way food is cooked, the means used to cook food, even foods that are consumed along with staple foods are all factors contributing to high levels of bad cholesterol. Ignorance of the facts about cholesterol and how they affect our health often has led to ridiculous situations about certain foods. Read more
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