Truth About Cholesterol
People are always getting confused about the two types of cholesterol found in the blood stream. In this article, we will differentiate between HDL (high density lipoprotein), or the “good guys” and LDL (low density lipoprotein), or the “bad guys”. The levels of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the blood are measured to evaluate the risk of having a heart attack. Overweight people are more likely to have high cholesterol from eating too many fatty foods, but thin people should also have their cholesterol checked regularly. Often people who don’t gain weight easily are less aware of how much saturated fat they eat. Nobody can “eat anything they want” and stay heart healthy. Cholesterol should be checked regularly regardless of your weight, exercise habits and diet.
When too much LDL is circulating in the blood stream, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Along with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This process of arterial hardening is known as atherosclerosis “the ugly”. Most people who have this “hardening of arteries” are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. If your levels of LDL are more than 130mg/dl and you have risk factors such as obesity, smoking, family history or decreased intake of dietary fiber, you are at risk for heart disease. LDL levels less than 100mg/dl and low risk factors such as thin builds, increased dietary fiber and increased exercise levels will decrease the risks of heart or arterial disease.
Approximately one-third of the blood stream carries the “good guys” or HDL cholesterol. HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaque in arteries, thus slowing the buildup. Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. To increase HDL levels, one needs to quit smoking, lose weight and exercise regularly.
Unless your cholesterol is dangerously high, it’s best to try to reduce it by changing your diet. Drug therapy is usually prescribed for those who — despite adequate dietary changes, regular physical activity and weight loss — still have elevated levels of cholesterol. Making lifestyle changes along with taking medication is the best way to help prevent heart disease. By reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet and getting at least 30–60 minutes of aerobic exercise every other day is recommended, even if you’re taking cholesterol-lowering medication. Nutritional supplements will also aid in the decrease of cholesterol levels, however it is very important, as I always recommend to my Chicago chiropractic patients, consult your doctor when beginning any vitamin or nutritional regimen.
Cholesterol Treatment – Simple and Useful Home Remedies for Cholesterol
Cholesterol is the fat-like substance, which is an important ingredient for life. The human body contains about 100 g of cholesterol. The human body itself manufactures its required cholesterol, and any cholesterol that comes from diet is extra — and it’s harmful.
Benefits of body cholesterol -
Most of the cholesterol in the body is included in the membranes from which cells formation takes place. It is also the starting ingredient for the synthesis of the steroid hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol and mineralocorticoids.
Cholesterol is also the originator from which the body synthesizes Vitamin D.
Cholesterol helps in the synthesis of bile acids in the liver. This is required for the absorption of fat from the contents of the intestine. The liver synthesizes about 1500 – 2000 mg of new cholesterol each day, from the products of fat metabolism.
What is high blood cholesterol? Is it risky?
High blood cholesterol termed as hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and some types of stroke. Too much cholesterol in the blood leads to development of fatty deposits in the blood vessels that supply the heart and other parts of the body. These deposits make it difficult for enough blood to flow through the arteries, and the heart may not get as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, which increases the chances of a heart attack
(atherosclerosis). Decreased blood flow to the brain can also cause a cerebral stroke.
Healthy levels of cholesterol -
A person’s total blood cholesterol will fall into any one of these categories:
1) Desirable — Less than 200 mg/dL
2) Borderline high risk — 200-239 mg/dL
3) High risk — 240 mg/dL and over – risk of developing coronary heart disease.
What is HDL and LDL?
Cholesterol is transported through the blood attached to proteins, known as lipoprotein. The two main types of lipoproteins are:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – “bad” cholesterol that builds up in the walls of the arteries, making them hard and narrow.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) – “good” cholesterol that picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to the liver.
Total cholesterol is the sum of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and 20% of the triglyceride value.
It is important to be aware of the fact that -
1 high LDL values are bad – higher the chance of getting a heart disease
2 high HDL values are good – lower the chance of getting a heart disease.
Thus, cardiac risk ratio for an individual = total cholesterol divided by HDL cholesterol
A cardiac risk ratio greater than 7 is a danger sign.
What factors cause a high LDL and low HDL level in the body?
1) Unhealthy lifestyle habits of an individual such as lack of physical activity, being overweight.
2) Faulty eating habits. High intake of saturated fats, animal protein, butter, cheese, fried foods all lead to high cholesterol.
3) Other factors that play a role in high cholesterol include genetic composition which restricts cells from removing LDL cholesterol from the blood efficiently or cause the liver to produce too much cholesterol. This is regardless of a person’s saturated fat and cholesterol dietary intake.
4) Smoking, alcoholism, tobacco – as it damages the walls of the blood vessels, making them prone to accumulate fatty deposits.
5) High blood pressure as increased pressure on the artery walls damages arteries, leading to speedy accumulation of fatty deposits.
6) Diabetes contributes to high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol. High blood sugar also damages the lining of the arteries.
Cholesterol Treatment and prevention -
1) Lifestyle changes help improve the cholesterol level. Eat a healthy diet, do regular physical activity and avoid smoking/drinking.
2) Lose excess weight. Plan a daily exercise regime such as swimming, walks, or any other sport.
3) Eat heart friendly foods
4) Choose healthier fats such as monounsaturated fats. Almonds, olive, peanut and walnuts are good sources of healthy fat.
5) Limit cholesterol intake – no more than 300 mg of cholesterol per day — or less than 200 mg if you have heart disease.
6) Eat whole grains, whole wheat flour.
7) Consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, as they are rich in dietary fibre, which help lower cholesterol. Consume less of animal protein, and more of fish which is rich in omega – 3 fatty acids
7) Quit smoking and drinking
In spite of the above, if LDL remains high, the doctor may prescribe some medication or combination of medication depending on various factors, such as age, current health, risk factors, and possible side effects.
Home Remedies for Cholesterol:
* Coriander seeds are beneficial in lowering blood cholesterol. In 1 glass of water, add 2 tablespoons of coriander seeds and boil. Drink this mixture two times in a day. This is a good Home Remedy for Cholesterol
* Onion juice reduces cholesterol and works as a tonic for nervous system. It cleans blood, and regulates the heart action & helps in lowering cholesterol.
* Sunflower seeds contain a substantial amount of linoelic acid, which is helpful in reducing cholesterol deposits on the walls of the arteries. This is also useful Home Remedy for Cholesterol
* Substituting oil of sunflower seeds for some of the solid fats like butter & cream will lower cholesterol.
* Ginger reduces cholesterol, and thins the blood and thus improves the circulation. This remedy is very effective Home Remedy for Cholesterol
* Take 2-3 cloves of garlic daily to reduce high cholesterol levels.
* Turmeric helps by lowering serum cholesterol and by preventing the formation of the internal blood clots.
* Mix a teaspoon of powdered fenugreek seeds in a glass of water and take in the morning on an empty stomach for a month. This is an effective and useful Home Remedy for Cholesterol
* Prepare a mixture in a glass of water with 1-2 grams of powdered cinnamon. Strain this mixture & add a spoon of honey to it. Drink this solution once a day for 15-25 days. This helps control cholesterol.
Author is an Ayurvedic doctor having years of experience in the field of Ayurveda and Alternative medicine. Find out more Home Remedies for Cholesterol at http://www.natural-homeremedies.org/
He has an exclusive website on Home Remedies for various diseases. You can also contribute to the Home remedies by visiting the website
What Is High Cholesterol And How Does It Affect Me
Cholesterol is a type of fat that is part of all animal cells. It is essential for many of the body metabolic processes, including hormone and bile production, and to help the body use vitamin D.
Cholesterol is more abundant in tissues which either synthesize more or have more abundant densely-packed membranes, for example, the liver, spinal cord and brain.
The liver is the main processing center for cholesterol. When we eat animal fats, the liver returns the cholesterol it can not use to our bloodstream and when there is too much cholesterol circulating in our bloodstream, it can build up into fatty deposits. These deposits cause the arteries to narrow and can eventually block the arteries completely, leading to heart disease and stroke.
Cholesterol is produced by the liver and it is also made by most cells in the body. It is carried around in the blood by lipoproteins. We need blood cholesterol because the body uses it to build the structure of cell membranes, to produce hormones like testosterone, adrenaline and estrogen and to aid the metabolism.
Types of Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol, good and bad, the difference between them is:
a. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol called the bad cholesterol because it goes into the bloodstream and clogs up your arteries.
b. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol called the good cholesterol because it helps to take the bad cholesterol out of the bloodstream.
Cholesterol is transported towards peripheral tissues by the lipoproteins chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL).
Risks associated with high triglycerides
According to the lipid hypothesis, abnormally high cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia), or more correctly, higher concentrations of LDL and lower concentrations of functional HDL are strongly associated with cardiovascular disease because these promote atheroma development in arteries (atherosclerosis). High cholesterol has also been linked to diabetes and high blood pressure.
Both heredity and diet have a significant influence on a person’s LDL, HDL and total cholesterol levels. Evidence strongly indicates that high cholesterol levels can cause narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attacks, and strokes.
Cholesterol in the bile can crystallize to form gall stones that may block the bile ducts. Cholesterol count also rises during pregnancy.
However, in recent years, scientists have come to realise that to decide whether an individual’s cholesterol levels are dangerous, these levels need to be considered in the light of the person’s overall risk of heart disease.The higher the risk of heart disease (for example, a male smoker with high blood pressure and diabetes), the greater the need to get cholesterol levels down.
Cholesterol tests
Cholesterol testing is recommended as a screening test to be done on all adults at least once every five years.
Foods that contain cholesterol
The cholesterol in your diet comes mainly from the saturated fats found in animal products. All foods from animals contain some cholesterol. Foods from plants do not contain cholesterol. Other sources of dietary cholesterol are full fat dairy foods, eggs and some seafood.
Safe blood cholesterol levels
Health authorities recommend that cholesterol levels should be no higher than 5.5mmols per liter. Approximately 50 per cent of adult Australians have a blood cholesterol level above 5mmols per liter. This makes high blood cholesterol a major health concern in Australia.
How to lower high cholesterol
The best way to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in your diet is to limit foods high in saturated fats. Try to avoid: Fatty meats , full fat dairy products, processed meats like salami and sausages, snack foods like chips, most takeaway foods, especially deep fried foods, cakes, biscuits and pastries.
However the most important thing you can do to reduce your cholesterol level is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You should try to:
a. Limit the amount of cholesterol-rich foods you eat.
Increase the amount and variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods you have each day.
b. Choose low or reduced fat milk, yoghurt and other dairy products or have added calcium soy drinks.
c. Choose lean meat (meat trimmed of fat or labeled as heart smart).
d. Limit fatty meats, including sausages and salami, and choose leaner sandwich meats like turkey breast or cooked lean chicken.
e. Have fish (fresh or canned) at least twice a week. Replace butter and dairy blends with polyunsaturated margarines.
f. Include foods in your diet that are rich in soluble fiber and healthy fats, such as nuts, legumes and seeds.
g. Limit cheese and ice cream to twice a week.
Some studies have suggested that eating oats and legumes may lower LDL cholesterol. Food components like saponins (found in chickpeas, alfalfa sprouts and other foods) and sulphur compounds (like allicin found in garlic and onions) may also have a positive effect on cholesterol levels.
Plant sterols can lower cholesterol levels,these are
found naturally in plant foods including sunflower and canola seeds, vegetable oils and (in smaller amounts) in nuts, legumes, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Some margarine has concentrated plant sterols added to it. Plant sterol enriched margarines may help to lower LDL cholesterol.
Treatment for high cholesterol
Treatment of high cholesterol is aimed at lowering the low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol, lowering triglyceride levels, and increasing the high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol.
Treatment will be most effective if it also includes appropriate diet, weight loss (if necessary) and physical activity.
The first steps in treating high cholesterol levels are: Regular physical activity and healthy eating.
There are also some foods that may help to lower cholesterol levels, particularly garlic, soya, oats, corn and selenium-enriched cereals.
Cholesterol-lowering foods are not suitable for children under five years or for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
Medication :Statin drugs work by interfering with the cholesterol-producing mechanisms of the liver and by increasing the capacity of the liver to remove cholesterol from circulating blood. Statins can lower LDL cholesterol by as much as 60 percent, depending on the drug and dosage.
Dick Aronson has a background of over 35 years in various facets of the Healthcare industry. He set up and ran clinical trials in more than 20 countries and he has also founded a number of small private health related businesses. Dick now runs a number of informative health websites Go to Health Innovations Online and Go to Cholesterol Information
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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How The Foods You Eat Can Influence Your Cholesterol Levels
As a follow up to a previous article let’s go into detail about how the foods we eat can or cannot influence our blood cholesterol levels. The previous article about what you eat was influenced by watching a television program by which the host has to devour enormous amounts of food in a certain time period and often these foods have an extremely high in calories and fat among other things. You are left to wonder, “That can’t be healthy!” Hopefully that young man is not shaving years off his life for the benefit of our entertainment and TV ratings, but is he?
The scientific community has long debated over how dietary cholesterol (the foods we eat) affects the cholesterol our body naturally produces (also known as serum cholesterol). Numerous studies have concluded that in adult men the serum cholesterol levelis essentiallyindependent of the cholesterol intake over thewhole range ofnatural human diets. It was noted that it is probable that infants,children andwomen are similar. Serum cholesterol is a term that includes the total level of cholesterol that is found in the bloodstream. Measuring the level of total cholesterol includes identifying all types or classes of cholesterol that are found in the system. This helpful measurement makes it possible to determine if the balance between the HDL or good cholesterol and LDL or bad cholesterol is within acceptable limits. Dietary cholesterol comes from animal products in the diet, such as butter, meats, egg yolks, and dairy products. Blood cholesterol is the fatty substance that occurs naturally in the body and which is necessary for hormone production, cell metabolism, and other vital processes.
There are 2 main types of blood cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) as was previously mentioned. It is generally considered desirable to have high levels of HDL cholesterol and low levels of LDL cholesterol. Another component to add to this puzzle is triglycerides which are the chains of high-energy fatty acids that provide much of the energy needed for cells to function.Your liver produces your body’s cholesterol in fact your body needs cholesterol. However, there is a difference between the cholesterol made by the body and dietary cholesterol. The cholesterol that the liver produces is vital to strengthening the membranes of each and every cell in the body. The liver also processes the saturated fats and sugars we digest.
What does all this mean and what does all of that have to do with what we eat? Well, dietary cholesterol does contribute to your blood cholesterol levels. Excess amounts of foods high in saturated fats will raise blood cholesterol levels in some people, and contribute to the build up of plaque on the walls of the arteries and lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). These fats from the foods you eat make it to your blood stream and by extension to your liver for processing. One of the main jobs of the liver is to make sure all the tissues of the body receive the cholesterol and triglycerides they need to function. Whenever possible (that is, for about 8 hours after a meal), the liver takes up dietary cholesterol and triglycerides from bloodstream. However the relationship between cholesterol and the concentration of blood cholesterol is not linear. For every additional 100mg of cholesterol consumed up to a total intake of 500mg per day, there is a 2-3% increase in the concentration of blood cholesterol. In contrast further increases in cholesterol intake beyond 500mg per day have little additional effect on the blood level. But remember it is the bad cholesterol that will lead to a heart attack or stroke so it is important to maintain a healthy diet. If you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes or a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) blood cholesterol level, you should limit your dietary cholesterol intake to less than 200 mg a day. Your diet directly affects your heart health, especially when the diet consists of foods high in fat and cholesterol. Your body uses cholesterol for certain functions, but an excess can build up in arteries, restricting or even blocking blood flow to the heart or brain.
Now that young who entertains us by consuming a grilled cheese sandwich with 15 different kinds of cheeses or eating a 10 patty cheese burger with 3 lbs. of fries undoubtedly know what he is doing to his body and more than likely has a plan for offsetting all calories and fat he is ingesting, but don’t do that at home. That would like attempting to drive the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 200 mph three days after you got your driver’s license, it is not advisable. Foods that are high incalories and fat taken in their recommended portions are not necessarily a bad thing, but like all things they should be consumed in moderation. Remember you are what you eat, so maintaining a healthy diet along with exercise can keep your cholesterol levels in check, healthy cholesterol equates to a healthy heart and that means a long and healthy life.
Author: Raynard Thompson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Understanding What is Bad Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a very familiar medical term almost to anyone, particularly the middle age group. It is a common thing the word will never be a part of teen-age lingo. The main reason is, most of the dreaded ailments accompanying “high cholesterol” levels are associated with hypertension, heart failure, diabetes and other long term and acquired conditions, which does not could also happen to younger generation as juvenile complications. To make it clear, when the majority is talking about lowering cholesterol, it is all about alleviating the further progress of bad cholesterol.
There are two kinds of cholesterol accumulating or present in the human body. Bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein is harmful because it can cause atheroma. Atheroma is considered to be the plaque of the arteries, commonly referred to as fat streaks. If not watched carefully, accumulation of ‘macrophage white blood cells’ can happen to a child even before the age of 10.
The early symptoms may start as early as 5 years old, while the child grows up and the condition is accumulating quietly in the veins. Most of the time, the exact symptoms are only given prognosis after the onset of heart attack or stroke, which is already too late for the patient. The attack of silent killers may not cause death but chances are it can lead to lifetime disability.
It is debilitating to imagine how high levels of bad cholesterol can cause serious consequences to the body. When most people may appear healthy all the time, cholesterols can only be checked through lab tests. Sometimes it surprises people to find out how high their cholesterol build-up has soared for the past years.
There is no mystery behind the strengthening of bad cholesterol other than high consumption of saturated fats in the diet. In the advent of labels or guides in processed foods like canned goods and other packed products in the groceries, it is easy to see the amount of cholesterol a food has. This is just a small matter on how to grasp the essence of being cholesterol conscious.
The major way to lower down cholesterol levels in the body is to understand how it metabolizes in the body. Cholesterol doe not actually come from diet alone. It is a whole process within where diet is just one of the contributing factor. Good cholesterol aids in the body’s biochemical functioning like producing bile, regulating of vitamins that are fat soluble such as A, K, D, and E.
It also has impact on the synthesis of the body hormone. After cholesterol has been utilized in the body, it excretes as excess lipids in the liver and gall bladder as crystal particles. Because cholesterol is not water soluble, it circulates over and over and gets converted to bad cholesterol (low density lipoproteins). For normal individuals with healthy metabolism, bad cholesterol is minimal and comes in as large quantities. The harmful ones are those that come in many number of small sizes trapped in the veins as accumulated clogs.
When it comes to lowering high cholesterol, basically there is nothing to ponder about genetic weaknesses, the key is watching over food intake. Cholesterol is highly present in animal meats and fats, especially pork and beef. It is easy to watch fatty foods with all the precautions available today. But it takes discipline to live a life with less cholesterol consumption.
For tips on cholesterol ratio and low cholesterol foods, visit the Cholesterol Guidelines website.
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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Lower Your High Cholesterol Naturally
Cholesterol is a substance that is similar to fat. It can be found in the cell membranes of all body tissues and is transported through the blood plasma. There is “bad cholesterol” and “good cholesterol” in the human body, and both of them are cholesterol carriers. “Bad” cholesterol carriers are low-density lipoprotein or LDL and deposit cholesterol in the artery walls, thus thickening them-a key cause of heart disease. “Good” cholesterol carriers are high-density lipoprotein or HDL and help to keep the arteries healthy by clearing cholesterol out of the system. When levels of “bad” cholesterol are high, treatment is imperative.
The American Heart Association and the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) suggest that HDL levels should be around 60 mg/dL. If the HDL level count is less than 40 mg, the chances of coronary artery disease are greater. LDL cholesterol levels should be around 130 mg/ dL. A diet rich in saturated and trans fats and low in beneficial fats (monounsaturates and polyunsaturates) can lead to high LDL levels. Smoking, drinking large amounts of alcohol, other poor dietary habits and lack of exercise are all dangerous factors. These are lifestyle habits which need to be altered in the treatment of high cholesterol(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html).
If your total cholesterol level is less than 200 mg/dL, you are less likely to suffer from a heart attack. For maintaining low cholesterol, a diet full of fruits and fiber and low in fat, is effective. A diet should be low in saturated fat, higher in monounsaturated fats and foods rich in Omega 3 , thus raising the levels of good cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol.
A significant portion of the adult population in the USA has cholesterol levels of 200 to 239 mg/dL, which are classified as borderline high-risk. It is also dangerous if the HDL level is below 40 mg/dL. If the HDL cholesterol count is high and the LDL count is low, a cholesterol level of 200 to 239 mg/dL may not necessarily represent a borderline high risk. But pay attention if some dangerous factors appear, such as hypertension and diabetes, and make sure to have regular check ups to ensure suitable treatment of high cholesterol(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html).
A total cholesterol level of 240 or more is considerably high. With cholesterol levels this high, you are at greater risk for heart attack and stroke. At this level, a complete change in dietary habits as well as increase in heart-friendly exercise (such as swimming or walking) is essential. Cholesterol-lowering drugs are included in the the treatment of high cholesterol.
The American Dietetic Association suggests keeping a cholesterol-friendly diet by eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and wholegrain foods. Some other advice is to limit saturated fats by choosing lean cuts of meat, chicken without the skin and low-fat dairy products.Reduce the intake of fattening fast food and processed cakes, sweets and chips. Choose canola or olive oils, which are better for the heart, when cooking. In fish such as mackerel and salmon, nuts and avocadoes, you can also find some other helpful oils. Remember to limit dietary cholesterol(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html) from egg yollk and meat.
Author Bio:
Mitamins team
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High Cholesterol – Find Authoritative Natural Treatment Information, Plus Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements for Supporting High Cholesterol Treatment, Symptoms, Causes.
Natural Nutritional Treatment of High Cholesterol(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html)
Cholesterol: Good or Bad?
Let’s get something straight from the on start; cholesterol is an essential compound in humans and for that matter in the entire animal kingdom.
The idea that the cholesterol molecule is ‘bad’ is just plain inaccurate. Animals use cholesterol as their building blocks for cell membranes and other structural components. Cholesterol is the basic structural building block for hormones and other molecules essential to humans.
What is Good and Bad Cholesterol?
In actuality there is only good cholesterol until there is an over accumulation of cholesterol in the artery cells and in the peripheral cells.
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol particles (notoriously called bad cholesterol) carry cholesterol from the liver to receptor sites on the endothelial and peripheral cells. From the receptor sites the cholesterol is then transported for cellular repair and construction.
HDL (High- Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol particles (commonly called good cholesterol) are the primary reverse transport system which carries away excess cholesterol from the artery and peripheral cells to its destination the liver. The excess returned cholesterol is then either converted by the liver into cholesterol bile acids or excreted into bile as free cholesterol, which is then sent to the colon.
Hence the Problem:
In the delivery of cholesterol there are three (3) pathways or routes to arterial vessels and peripheral cells.
1). Lipid absorption
2). Endogenous (produced by the liver).
3). Exogenous (food intake).
The over accumulation of cholesterol can occur in all three (3) pathways resulting in atheroselerosis in the artery cells. The LDL delivery system from the liver presents the biggest threat for cholesterol buildup. Free radicals found in the bloodstream attack and oxidize the LDL cholesterol and chemically change it so that the receptor sites on the artery cell walls can no longer recognize the LDL, so it is rejected. Hence come the Macrophages, scavenger cells from our immune system which also have receptor sites. The Macrophages recognize that the LDL oxidized cholesterol at the endothelial artery lining. This is where the problem begins with cholesterol. Since the source of macrophages in the blood are for the most part iron and copper, which in turn act as a catalyst taking what is hydrogen peroxide and converting it into a potent hydroxyl radical.
Chaos Factor:
Macrophages analysis the oxidized cholesterol molecule (OXY-LDL) as an enemy or an invader and treat the oxidized cholesterol as if it were bacteria. The macrophages envelop the oxidized cholesterol particle through a process called Phagocytesis. Ultimately the particle is sent back further into the arterial wall or the cholesterol particle appears as a fused fatty nodule on the wall of the artery. Eventually other protectors in our immune system add to the fight and the whole cholesterol particle becomes a foamy cell. Sometimes oxidized LDL in small quantities can be disposed of in the artery by absorption or by breaking down the small nodule. Usually the buildup is too large to be broken down entirely and in fact the buildup continues unabated. This buildup leads to calcification, which invariably produces a bulge in the wall of the artery. If the extended nodule continues to grow, the flow of blood to and from the heart will be dangerously challenged and may result in blockage which can lead to such conditions as coronary arteries and carotid or vertebral arteries leading to the brain.
It has been established through research in patient studies that there are two (2) ways that oxidized LDL cholesterol can be formed.
1). Membrane damage of LDL fatty acids by metal ions (mostly iron in the blood).
2). Enzymatic damage unrelated or independent to metal ions
The researchers concluded that there are two (2) forms of oxidized LDL cholesterol.
1). OXY-LDL is a marker for coronary atheroselerosis.
2). MDA-Modified LDL a marker for artery plaque creation.
Antioxidants to the Rescue:
It is important that cholesterol is transported through the blood freely and unobstructed. The antioxidant level of the blood needs to be sufficiently high to abate free radicals before they attack the LDL particle. Additionally fat-soluble antioxidant levels of the LDL particle need to be high enough to thwart the oxidation of fatty acids (Phosholipids). Water-soluble antioxidants are important in the prevention of formation of oxidizes cholesterol in LDL particles and in blood in general.
Some key antioxidants are vitamins A, C, and E. others include green tea, bilberry, rosemary, lutein, and N-acetyl cysteine. Taking a regimented dose of antioxidant supplements has an important role in reducing the damaging effects of lipid oxidation.
Conclusion:
Our body was created perfectly without flaw, only when outside and foreign elements are introduced do we initiate a disease or an imbalance. Cholesterol in its purest form is harmless and essential to our bodily functions. Without the proper amounts of antioxidants in our blood, oxidation of LDL can occur in the blood and on the artery wall and lead to the formation of altherosclerosis. Supplementation of essential antioxidants is critical in an overall healthy body. Natural health products are the purest forms of supplementation.
Gary Kenneth Archer is a natural health advocate dedicated to the naturalist lifestyle,
web designer,webmaster,professional woodworker,author and frequent contributer to
healthylivingwithnaturalsupplements.com allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com
naturalhealthproducts.wordpress.com
Making Sense of Cholesterol Ratios, Lipid Profiles and Your Heart Disease Risk Scores
It’s very possible your MD orders lab work and you have no idea what or why you’re having blood drawn. Well, let’s clear up the confusion when it comes to your cholesterol labs.
The terms “lipid panel”, “lipid profile”, and “lipoprotein profile” are used interchangeably to order the same set of labs. To make reading this easier, I’m going to use “lipid profile” from here on out.
“Lipid” is simply a medical term for “fat”. A lipid profile measures fatty substances in your blood. Cholesterol is one type of fat.
When you eat food containing cholesterol or when your body produces cholesterol and releases it into your bloodstream, the cholesterol will attach to a protein. This package of cholesterol plus a protein is called a lipoprotein (lipid or fat plus protein). A lipid profile measures lipoprotein levels in your blood.
Lipid profiles include five components:
LDL – “bad” cholesterol
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol carries mostly cholesterol, some protein, and minimal triglycerides throughout your circulation. LDL should be less than 130 mg/dL, ideally less than 100 mg/dL.
VLDL – “bad” cholesterol
VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol contains minimal protein and mainly transports triglycerides. VLDL should be less than 40 mg/dL.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood, not a type of cholesterol. Triglycerides are frequently used to estimate VLDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Here’s the calculation: triglycerides divided by 5 equals VLDL cholesterol. Triglycerides should be less than 200 mg/dL, ideally less than 150 mg/dL.
HDL – “good” cholesterol
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol removes cholesterol from your bloodstream and carries it back to the liver. I like to think of HDL as a vacuum cleaner, picking up cholesterol LDL leaves behind in your arteries, the more HDL the better. HDL should be greater than 40 mg/dL, ideally greater than 60 mg/dL.
Total cholesterol
Cholesterol is essential to bodily functions, such as building cells and producing hormones. However, too much cholesterol will build up on artery walls, form a plaque, and potentially “plug” the artery resulting in a heart attack or stroke. Total cholesterol is calculated from the above components (Total cholesterol = HDL + LDL + VLDL). Total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL.
Do you see how if you only know your total cholesterol, you only have one piece of the lipid profile?
Now, sometimes your results will include ratios or a risk score. Here’s an explanation of what those numbers mean.
Risk Score
A risk score is based on you lipid profile results, sex, age, family history, and various other risk factors. If you have a high risk score for heart disease, it’s best to speak with your MD to evaluate your risk score.
Cholesterol:HDL Ratio
You want a low ratio of cholesterol to HDL. A ratio lower than 4.5 is good, but 2 or 3 is best. You can calculate your cholesterol to HDL ratio by dividing total cholesterol by HDL. For example, your total cholesterol is 195 and your HDL is 55. 195 divided by 55 equals a ratio of 3.5.
It’s actually not your total cholesterol that has the greatest impact on your heart disease risk. The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL is a critical factor. If your total cholesterol is less than 200, but your ratio is 5, you are still at increased risk for developing heart disease.
LDL:HDL Ratio
This ratio compares the amount of bad (LDL) cholesterol to your good (HDL) cholesterol levels. You want a ratio less than 3.5, ideally less than 2.5. To calculate your ratio, divide LDL by HDL. For example, your HDL is 55 and LDL is 100. 100 divided by 55 equals a ratio of 1.8.
Triglyceride:HDL Ratio
A low ratio of triglycerides to HDL is best, ideally less than 2. To calculate your triglyceride to HDL ratio, divide your triglycerides by your HDL. For example, your triglyceride level is 200 and your HDL is 55. 200 divided by 55 equals a ratio of 3.6.
Lipid profiles are commonly ordered to assess your heart disease risk. Your doctor or dietitian will use the results to determine the best treatment to reduce your risk.
A lipid profile is beneficial, because you know your “good” cholesterol level and “bad” cholesterol levels. The interventions that work best to raise HDL and lower LDL differ, so knowing all your numbers helps you make the most effective changes.
You’re probably wondering why a lipid profile isn’t always ordered versus simply checking your total cholesterol (and possibly HDL). Cost and time always play a part and if your risk for heart disease is low, then a quick and less expensive screening makes sense. If you are at increased risk, a more complete assessment (lipid profile) may be more appropriate. Everyone’s situation is unique, so it’s best to discuss what’s right for you with your MD.
Author: Lisa Nelson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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