The Malign Effects of High Cholesterol

October 15, 2010 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

Statistics reveal that around 20 percent of people in the United States have abnormally high cholesterol. High cholesterol is a major factor of risk in heart disease and therefore it needs to be reduced to normal levels in order to maintain the health of the organism. In some people, high cholesterol levels can be lowered through the means of a healthy diet and proper physical exercise. However, people with genetic predispositions to heart disease and cholesterol accumulation sometimes also require medications for lowering blood cholesterol levels. Some people have high cholesterol levels due to liver hyperactivity or other internal dysfunctions. For this category of people, appropriate diet, frequent physical exercise and lifestyle improvements aren’t sufficient in normalizing blood cholesterol values.

There are many factors that facilitate the accumulation of cholesterol inside the bloodstream. Unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and alcohol abuse all contribute to cholesterol accumulation in the organism. However, age, gender and genetic heritage are also major factors that determine either overproduction or inappropriate elimination of blood cholesterol.

High cholesterol levels are usually characteristic to people with ages over 50. Women generally have lower blood cholesterol levels than men. However, post-menopausal women have higher blood cholesterol levels than young men. Genetic heritage also affects blood cholesterol levels and people with a family history of cardio-vascular diseases usually have high cholesterol and are very exposed to developing heart disease.

Cholesterol is needed inside the organism in very small quantities. In excess, the substance can cause a lot of damage to arteries, tissues and body organs, perturbing normal blood circulation. By clogging the coronary arteries, cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is a viscous substance produced by the liver. This substance has a very important role in synthesizing vitamin D. Cholesterol is also required for producing hormones (testosterone and estrogen) and bile salts that contribute to the digestion of fat.

The best thing to do when you have high cholesterol is to keep a good diet. Although diet alone can’t always overcome cholesterol problems, it can considerably reduce “bad cholesterol”. “Bad cholesterol” (low-density lipoprotein) is very harmful for the body and it is the major factor of risk in heart disease. By following a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, natural fibers and unsaturated fat you can normalize blood cholesterol levels. In order to reduce blood cholesterol levels, you should avoid foods that are rich in saturated fat (animal products) and include more vegetables and fruits in your diet. Fresh fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibers that can help in decongesting the arteries filled with cholesterol deposits.

You should avoid smoking and alcohol, as they are known to facilitate the accumulation of cholesterol inside the body. People with high cholesterol levels should exercise regularly and lose extra pounds, as obesity is also a factor of risk in heart disease. High cholesterol levels are reversible and if nothing seems to be working for you, there are medical treatments that can improve your condition.

Author: Groshan Fabiola
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Can Oatmeal Reduce Cholesterol Levels?

January 8, 2010 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

So does oatmeal reduce cholesterol in the body? We know that it is very important to have a low cholesterol intake in our diet and there many different foods that help you achieve that. Studies have shown that oatmeal does help significantly reduce the level of cholesterol you have in your blood.

There are many reasons to why the amount of cholesterol should concern you. A high level of cholesterol in your blood causes many health problems. These include thickening the arteries, which puts a pressure on the normal blood circulation. As a result, this affects the heart adversely leading to high blood pressure and other heart problems.

Oatmeal is roughly ground oats that are included in many foods, mostly in cereals and breakfast foods such as muesli. It is a complex carbohydrate that breaks down slowly in your body. The sugar is released into the blood slowly and steadily providing you with energy over a longer time. This release of sugar slowly is very helpful for people suffering from diabetes.

Oatmeal is high in fiber and it is this quality that reduces cholesterol in the blood. Oatmeal is a soluble fiber and that means it is able to dissolve in water. This happens in the intestines after the oats are ingested.

This substance gets in the way of the LDL cholesterol from being passed onto the bloodstream as it is absorbed by the soluble fiber. Eventually, like fiber this goes out as waste from the body.

A lot of research has been conducted to see the effects of soluble fiber in our diet. Scientists are not yet exactly sure how the process works but research has shown that a fiber-based diet reduces cholesterol.

Going by that, it is still very beneficial to increase your oatmeal intake which is not too difficult. Most cereals will include oats. You may use it in preparing other foods especially in baked items.

You should also remember that not every product that has the word ‘oat’ in it’s name actually contain oatmeal and is therefore good for you. The best example for this is oatmeal cookies that are basically made up of sugar and fat. So, always check the label for the level of soluble fiber in the product before buying.

Visit the Cholesterol Scoop for more information on Cholesterol Chart.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/can-oatmeal-reduce-cholesterol-levels-1685685.html

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