Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver. This substance has many important roles inside the body and in small amounts it is very important in helping the activity of the organism. In the presence of cholesterol, the body is able to synthesize vitamin D and hormones (testosterone and estrogen). The liver also uses cholesterol in producing bile, a substance used for the digestion of fat. Cholesterol covers the exterior membrane of blood cells and protects them from damage.
Although in normal amounts cholesterol is benefic for the organism, excessive amounts of this substance inside the body can lead to serious illnesses. High blood cholesterol levels are the main factor of risk in cardio-vascular diseases and can even cause heart failure. The surplus of cholesterol inside the body enters the bloodstream and deposits in different places of the body: arteries, soft tissues, organs. When cholesterol adheres to the inner walls of arteries, it obstructs the normal blood flow and prevents the oxygenation of the body organs.
Age, gender and internal dysfunctions are all considered to be factors that enable the accumulation of cholesterol inside the body. However, inappropriate diet also has a great contribution to blood cholesterol build up. A low cholesterol diet can help the body eliminate excess cholesterol and can prevent the accumulation of the substance in the bloodstream. A low cholesterol diet can also help you lose extra weight and improve your overall physical condition.
There are two main types of fat: saturated and unsaturated fat. Saturated fat facilitates the accumulation of cholesterol inside the body, while unsaturated fat reduces blood cholesterol levels and therefore minimizes the chances of developing cardio-vascular diseases. A low cholesterol diet should exclude foods that are rich in saturated fat and include more foods that contain unsaturated fat. Simple carbohydrates contained by sweets should also be excluded from your low cholesterol diet. In order to improve your digestion, you should increase natural fiber and complex carbohydrate intake.
A low cholesterol diet should minimize the intake of animal products. Fatty meats (pork, lamb), organ meats (liver, heart, kidneys) and some dairy products (fat-rich milk, cheese, butter) should be excluded from your low-cholesterol diet. Animal products not only contain a lot of cholesterol, they are also very rich in saturated fat! Eggs, bacon, salami, sausages are rich in saturated fat and they should also be excluded from your diet too. Replace fatty meats wish fish, as it is low in cholesterol and saturated fat. Your low cholesterol diet can include some dairy products, if they contain small amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat: skim-milk, light yogurts.
Your low cholesterol diet should contain plenty of vegetables and fruits, as they are cholesterol free and a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Consume plenty of green vegetables, soy, carrots, cabbage, beans, dried peas and potatoes and fresh fruits like apples, pears, oranges, nectarines, lemons.
The best thing to do is cook your own meals. A low cholesterol diet should include plenty of home-cooked meals like vegetable soups, mashed potatoes and salads. Avoid fried meals and consider grilling or boiling your food. Also, make sure that you drink enough water, as it helps in the elimination of body cholesterol.
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A number of Americans have put their hearts into lowering their cholesterol. Yet a recent American Heart Association survey found that many adults with high cholesterol still don’t realize that they have an increased risk of developing heart disease.
According to the survey, 50 percent of respondents with cholesterol levels of 200 or greater, and who had risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes, did not perceive themselves to be at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Fifteen percent believed they were at low risk. However, the American Heart Association and National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) data indicate that many of these respondents are in danger of having a heart attack within a decade.
Cholesterol guidelines established by both groups show that people with multiple risk factors-smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, etc.-and people with coronary heart disease and other conditions are at high risk of having a heart attack within 10 years.
The findings are the focus of this year’s American Heart Association’s Cholesterol Low Down program, an effort meant to help teach people about their risk of heart disease. Anyone can join the program by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visiting americanheart.org/cld. Participants receive a Healthy Heart Kit, which includes “The Cholesterol Low Down About Your Cholesterol” guide and a “Low-Fat Favorite Recipes” cookbook. The Cholesterol Low Down is sponsored by Pfizer.
“Patients know that cholesterol is important; however, they need to better understand that their high cholesterol and additional risk factors may lead to heart disease or a stroke,” said Roger S. Blumenthal, M.D., associate professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Words Of Wisdom
The survey also found that 72 percent of respondents strongly agree that their health care provider is a partner in managing their cholesterol. Those who frequently discuss cholesterol with their health care provider report being well-informed about issues such as setting personal cholesterol goals and the importance of following treatment plans.
“Health care providers are an important and supportive resource for individuals at risk for heart disease and stroke because of their cholesterol and other risk factors, ” said Lori Mosca, M.D., Director of Preventive Cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. “Patients should work with their doctor to learn if their cholesterol levels are healthy and to develop a plan that includes a healthy diet and physical activity to reduce their risk.”
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Cholesterol is a fatty substance present in the human body, 80% of which is manufactured by the liver. The other 20% comes from your diet such as meat, eggs and dairy products. We have always considered cholesterol to be bad. But that is not the case; there are two types of cholesterol, good cholesterol – HDL (High-density lipoproteins) and bad cholesterol – LDL (Low-density lipoproteins). High levels of LDL cholesterol present in the body enter the inner walls of the arteries and harden it, leading to coronary artery disease. Similarly, high levels of HDL cholesterol minimize the harmful effects of LDL cholesterol. Some measurements you can keep in mind to maintain healthy LDL cholesterol level.
Less than 100 mg/dL would be optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL is near optimal/ above optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high
160 to 189 mg/dL is considered high
190 mg/dL and above is very high
Regular check up or screening of your cholesterol level is very important. It is recommended for men and women of 20 years or above to get the test done every five years. This kind of screening helps to keep your health in check. It also helps if the patient has a family history of diseases like diabetes, obesity or cardiovascular disease.
Tips to remember
Do your exercises regularly to keep your heart healthy. It also helps in burning out the excess fat you have been carrying around.
Avoid trans fatty acids like French fries, cookies, cakes and many other fried fast foods.
Consume fewer carbohydrates by avoiding sugar, flour, potatoes and white rice. Avoid food which contains too much cholesterol like egg yolk, liver, kidney, brain etc. Stop smoking, it increases HDL levels by seven points.
Natural Ways to Increase HDL
Red wine consumed in reasonable quantity gives a positive result. It contains antioxidants such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir that slows down oxidation of HDL and LDL cholesterol. By drinking wine HDL level does not shoot up, but it contains higher level of various types of blood fats, thus making it useful for the body.
Drinking orange juice every day increases HDL level by nearly 21%. This is possible due to the presence of flavonoids.
Kidney and red beans are another source to increase HDL level. They contain low-glycemic carbohydrates which do not require insulin spikes during digestion.
Eating fish several times a week is very useful in increasing HDL level as it contains omega-3 fatty acids. Fishes like sardine, salmon, sea bass, herring and many more are some of the sources of good cholesterol. If you do not like fish, you can have fish oil supplements.
Olive oil contains the highest number of mono-saturated fats. Having 1-2 teaspoons in your daily diet would help you tremendously.
Oat bran lowers LDL and increases HDL. Studies have shown that two ounces of oat bran per day helps in reducing 16% LDL and 15% increase in HDL.
Half raw onion per day increases HDL level by 30%.
Soy products increase HDL level thereby decreasing LDL.
Soluble fiber found in fruits like apples, grapes and citrus fruits are useful in increasing HDL level.
Guggul lipid a native herb used mainly for Ayurvedic medicine also helps in maintaining healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Green tea lowers LDL levels by increasing HDL levels.
Eat more fiber and include raw garlic in your diet, these are very useful in lowering cholesterol levels.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
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Ever since cholesterol lowering prescription drugs were introduced to the medical care profession, more and more of us who are diagnosed with higher than normal levels of LDL cholesterol levels have been prescribed these drugs, in the hope of controlling this problem. For some of us, they have a positive effect in doing just that, but they all have some side affects, some to a greater degree than others. Patients mainly complain of sore muscles after taking the “Staten” cholesterol controller drugs, mainly due to liver reaction to their intake.
There is no need to chance any liver degradation( or even the slightest reaction to any of our other organs) through the use of a prescribed drug when some of the foods we normally ingest will do the job just as well… and in some cases…a lot better and surely infinitely safer. Lets begin with beans. Now, that’s a food people do not eat a lot of. Yes, it has some unpleasant after effects, but I don’t believe there is record of any organ degradation from partaking of some of these legumes ? The key reason of course is their high fiber content. Fiber “blocks” cholesterol from being absorbed into the intestinal walls and this “bad” cholesterol is expelled with normal excretion soon after. An 8 oz. portion of regular canned beans, preferably containing a low sugar content every other day, it has been estimated, will usually keep your LDL levels in toe. Beans
have untold other medical benefits, but it is not the purpose to be explained here.
There are other foods in the herb family which have similar benefits as do our friendly legume family of beans and it is more than justified to give honorable mention here. Garlic is probably one of the most universal medicinally active herb known in our food arsenal. Garlic, which contains a compound called Ajoene, it has been found through research, actually inhibits the production of lipids, thus lowering blood cholesterol. Garlic also thins the blood, thus lessening the effects of artery clogging due to past cholesterol buildup. Garlic in the diet has been found to lower the “bad” LDL cholesterol, while raising the levels of the “good” HDL cholesterol. It has been suggested that just one clove of garlic each day should keep LDL and HDL cholesterol levels at near optimum levels with normal daily levels of cholesterol intake. Garlic should be taken in its raw form to be most effective. An example is of one level teaspoonful of raw chopped garlic and keeping jar refrigerated for future use.
Not only do beans and garlic help keep our cholesterol levels in the safe range, but a reasonable breakfast of 1/2 to 3/4 cup of cooked oatmeal will help keep those levels in the safe range. Oatmeal has a twofold benefit in our body. It also helps keep our blood sugar levels under control.
It must be cautioned that in no way does this information imply that it can replace regular medical treatment which can be provided by your personal physician, but it also does not negate the use of its possible benefits in the control of ones cholesterol.
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