Sensible Information For Putting Together Low Cholesterol Diet Menus

July 27th, 2010

and duck 112 mg.. So it goes without saying that you should duck the duck in favor of very lean beef or white meat turkey. A 3 or 4 oz serving of fish is perhaps a better alternative due to high concentrations of omega 3 and omega 6 oils. Heart and artery protecting oils.

Next we add the side dish or dishes. Steamed vegetables should be a big part of most of our low cholesterol diet menus. Vegetables contain only traces of fat, and most of that is unsaturated. Greens, particularly kale, broccoli, and to a lesser degree squash and green beans are all excellent choices. Brown rice can be substituted or added to add a little variety.

Side salad: A side salad works well as long as it isn’t drowned in dressing and/or croutons. A side salad spiced up with fruit and/or uses lemon juice as a dressing can be a good addition. You might also consider making your own low fat dressing using lemons, vinegar, olive oil, and a dash of garlic.

In summary, as I am sure you have noticed that deserts aren’t listed. Deserts should be looked upon as guilty pleasures, used once in a while in small portions, if at all.

Additionally, many health minded individuals have added natural cholesterol remedies in addition to their heart healthy diet choices in an attempt to lower cholesterol levels down to that magical 200 mg/dl level. Natural cholesterol remedies are considered safe, and are an extra cholesterol fighting tool worth considering.

(ArticlesBase SC #1736923)

Rob D. Hawkins

Rob D. HawkinsAbout the Author:
 

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at Purchase Remedies.com

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Roles Fulfilled By Cholesterol Blockers

July 20th, 2010

Cholesterol is a fatty, wax-like substance normally produced by liver, substance which has an important role in maintaining one’s overall health by assisting in a series of cellular processes. While in small amounts cholesterol has many beneficial roles for the human body, when in excess it is very dangerous, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the arteries) and coronary disease. Excess cholesterol deposits inside major arteries and other blood vessels, interfering with the normal blood circulation and preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching in various regions of body. Deprived from normal supplies of oxygen and vital nutrients, the body organs are more susceptible to disease. On the premises of abnormally high blood cholesterol levels, one is very exposed to heart attack and stroke, and is also susceptible to developing an entire series of cholesterol-associated diseases (diabetes mellitus, kidney failure).

It is important to note that not all types of cholesterol have a malignant effect on the organism when in large amounts. There are three different types of cholesterol, each type having distinctive characteristics and actions: LDL the so called “bad cholesterol”, the main cause of arteriosclerosis and coronary disease; VLDL generally has a neutral action but can in time become LDL, posing a serious threat to one’s overall health; HDL also referred to as “good cholesterol”, has a benefic role inside the body, collecting LDL from arteries and taking it back to the liver, where it is broken down. According to recent studies, persons confronted with excessively high “bad cholesterol” levels are three times more likely to suffer a heart attack, six times more susceptible of developing congestive heart failure and up to seven times more susceptible of suffering a stroke than persons with normal cholesterol levels.

Persons confronted with high cholesterol levels are often required to follow treatments with cholesterol blockers, medications that regulate the production of cholesterol inside the body. However, due to the fact that many pharmaceutical cholesterol blockers can have serious side-effects, it is advisable to replace them with natural cholesterol blockers whenever possible. There are various natural remedies that have been recently discovered to have an efficient cholesterol-blocking action. One of the most efficient natural cholesterol blocker is green tea, a common natural remedy used for treating a wide variety of conditions.

Green tea contains catechins, and is particularly rich in a substance called epigallocatechin gallate, which has been confirmed to have a very beneficial action in controlling high cholesterol levels. Epigallocatechin gallate contained by green tea makes a perfect cholesterol blocker, according to medical scientists. The substance also has the ability to prolong the action of norepinephrine, a body hormone that stimulates the burning of fat. In addition, the caffeine contained by green tea also helps the body burn existing fat deposits and reduce blood cholesterol levels.

The substances contained by green tea render this natural remedy perfect for persons confronted with obesity and excessive levels of “bad cholesterol”. Besides being an efficient natural cholesterol blocker, green tea can also reduce appetite, reduce the risk of diabetes (by regulating blood sugar), protects blood cells and reduces the risk of viral infections. Considering the fact that green tea is also very safe to use and has no side-effects, it is the perfect alternative to synthetic drugs with cholesterol-blocking action.

If you want to find great information about many cholesterol subjects like high cholesterol, low cholesterol diet or many more please visit us at http://www.cholesterol-info-guide.com/

(ArticlesBase SC #67662)

Groshan Fabiola

Groshan FabiolaAbout the Author:
 

If you want to find great information about many cholesterol subjects like high cholesterol, low cholesterol diet or many more please visit us at http://www.cholesterol-info-guide.com/

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Natural Cholesterol Formula Promotes Healthy Living

July 13th, 2010

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance or lipid found in cell membrane of all tissues and is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. It is a natural substance synthesized by the body in order to support vital functions such as the composition of cell membranes. Cholesterol is also absorbed by the body by ingesting cholesterol rich foods such as beef, pork, poultry, egg yolk and cheese among others. There are two types of cholesterol LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein).

Is Cholesterol Good or Bad?

Like anything else the body produces and ingest, anything taken or produced in excess can have negative effects. As long as the HDL and LDL cholesterol in the body is within normal healthy range, these substances can perform their vital function and can even promote a healthy well being. On the other hand, an excess in LDL or any imbalance in cholesterol level will result in various cardiovascular disease such myocardial infarction, Alzheimer’s, stroke among others.

What is a Cholesterol Formula?

Cholesterol formulas were created in order to address the rising health issues regarding high cholesterol levels. Various products synthetic or otherwise have been produced in order to help the body regulate cholesterol levels.

Is there a natural Cholesterol Formula?

Yes, there is. Hypercet Cholesterol Formula is a natural remedy for unequal levels of cholesterol in the body. This unique cholesterol formula understands that cholesterol is an essential part for tissue and cell composition. Hypercet helps promote the natural functions of the body while keeping bad cholesterol in check.

Should I purchase a Natural Cholesterol Formula?

Yes, you should. Natural cholesterol formulas are largely composed of Beta1, 3d glucan, magnesium, calcium and chromium which are vitamins and minerals essential for the body. These are not synthetic materials which have potentially harmful side effects. If you want to start living healthy, then purchase a bottle of Hypercet Cholesterol Formula.

(ArticlesBase SC #2353649)

Pauline Laberge

Pauline LabergeAbout the Author:
 

Hypercet Cholesterol Formula is especially created with natural ingredients which can help the body in regulating cholesterol levels. Visit: http://HypercetCholesterolFormula.net

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Reduce Cholesterol Naturally

July 6th, 2010

For most people, the word cholesterol means “enemy of the body”; little they know that human cells need cholesterol to establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity. The cholesterol is produced by the liver (about 1 gram per day) and absorbed in certain foods (meat, egg, milk products, getable oil, etc.), and then transported to and from the cells by the lipoproteins, molecules that transport cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver to peripheral tissues. To be healthy, your body needs cholesterol, but too much in your blood can increase the risk of a heart attack, stroke, and certain types of cancer.

When cholesterol becomes a health problem?

A normal blood cholesterol levels should be < 200 mg/dL.  You have high cholesterol (also known as hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, or dyslipidemia) when the total cholesterol level above 200–239 mg/dL. High cholesterol is harmful to your body. It builds up in the walls of your arteries (clot or plaque), narrowing and hardening it so that blood flow and oxygen to the heart and brain becomes slowed down or blocked. When the clots block the blood flow to your heart, you have end up having a heart attack; when clots block blood flow to your brain, you have a stroke.

As most people do, you may say that you feel nothing wrong with your heart, your cholesterol level is normal. Your logic is not so wise; if you can, go ask those individual who died from heart attack. Most of them will tell you they had no symptoms at all; because high cholesterol is often asymptomatic, it is a silent killer.  If you are lucky to be aware of your high cholesterol problem, do something to control it before it is too late.

How you can lower your high cholesterol naturally?

Depending on the levels of your cholesterol, there are several ways you can lower it and prevent diseases resulting from it, heart disease, stroke, impotence, obesity, cancer, etc. You must first adopt a healthy diet, lose weight, and exercise regularly. No high cholesterol treatment can work effectively without regular exercise.

In addition, a “cholesterol-lowering diet” remains the first step to take to prevent or to lower your high. Here is the list of some foods that are recommended to:

Avoid –

  • Ice cream, whole and concentrated milk (condensed whole milk)
  • Fatty meats such as Bacon, pork, hot dog, sausage, turkey
  • Eggs, cheesecake, chips, Pastries, donuts
  • Saturated fats: such as butter, coconut oil, palm oil, lard, bacon, etc.
  • Sugar and refined carbohydrates

Take –

  • Egg whites
  • All fruits
  • Raw or steamed vegetables
  • Sorbet, yogurt, ice milk (iced milk)
  • Omega-3 fatty acids (main source fish and flaxseed)
  • Pancakes or cereal with low fat milk
  • Unsaturated vegetable oils such as olive, corn, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, sunflower, soybean, etc;
  • Fish, poultry without skin, lean beef (prepared without added saturated and trans fat)

However, for most individuals those measures need to be supplemented. If you are one of them, you need to supplement diet and exercise with a natural cholesterol remedy that really works. Our cholesterol herbal remedies work by supporting normal healthy balanced cholesterol, enhancing healthy blood flow to your heart, inhibiting abnormal blood stickiness, and more. Restore your health; visit reduce cholesterol

(ArticlesBase SC #982451)

Raphael

RaphaelAbout the Author:
 

Remy is a nutritionist with years of experience. To Restore your health; visit reduce cholesterol

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How To Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally and Safely with The Best Remedies

June 30th, 2010

Learning how to lower cholesterol naturally should always be your first line of defence as the best ones work with your body and not against it and have been shown in clinical trials to be as effective as the harmful statin drugs. It is all a matter of the right blend of ingredients. 

Many natural cholesterol remedies available today only contain one or two good ingredients which will only have a slight impact. It is best to get a blend of many different extracts that work synergistically together.

Another important point to consider when learning how to how to lower cholesterol naturally is the good and bad levels you have.

The ratio between these is just as important as your total figure. Your bad or LDL levels can lead to heart disease and blocked arteries while your good or HDL levels can clear away the LDL to reduce your risk of heart problems.

A good cholesterol ratio is 3:1 LDL to HDL and using the best natural ingredients can help you achieve the correct and healthiest balance.

Some of the best ones to use include Policosanol, Theaflavins, Phytosterols, Pumpkin oil, Omega 3 fish oil and D-Limonene. Policosanol has been proven in clinical studies to lower your bad levels while significantly increasing your good ones and remove dangerous plaque from the artery walls.

Along with your main cholesterol levels are your triglyceride ones which are blood fats related to cholesterol. DHA omega 3 fish oil can help to lower these levels and help you avoid heart attacks and strokes while improving your brain and overall health too.

These remedies are so effective because they tackle the root cause of high cholesterol whereas changes in your diet only have a small impact. Only 20% of your cholesterol comes from what you eat which is why the right natural nutrients can help as they reduce the production of bad cholesterol by the liver.

The liver produces over 80% of the body’s cholesterol and it is this area that needs the attention. The right natural cholesterol remedy can reduce production, reduce the absorption into the gut and also dissolve cholesterol particles.

Now you know how to lower cholesterol naturally and safely you can confidently select the best ingredients to help you avoid heart disease and balance your levels to achieve a healthy ratio.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality cholesterol balancing supplements I personally take, visit my website today.

(ArticlesBase SC #1701330)

Reuben Hopkins

Reuben HopkinsAbout the Author:
 

Discover the best natural cholesterol balancing supplements today. Reuben Hopkins is a dedicated researcher of nutrition, diet and the amazing health benefits of natural cholesterol balancing supplements. Take a moment to visit his site now at http://www.balanced-cholesterol.com and discover the latest supplements he recommends after extensive research.

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Natural Alternative Remedies to Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

June 23rd, 2010

High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels affect a great number of Americans.  Many people do not wish to take serious medications with unknown ramifications for a condition that may very well plague them for the rest of their lives if they are not careful.  Of course, these same people can limit the effects of high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels by getting proper exercise and changing their diet to eat more healthily.  If this is not enough, however, there are some natural remedies and alternative health care measures to be taken.  Many of these measures come in the form of supplementation. 

Garlic is a well known natural food that can help to lower blood pressure.  Of course, nobody wants to eat as much garlic as it would take for this to help!  Luckily, it is available in convenient supplement form and is very easy to obtain.  Consult your doctor before starting a garlic supplement regimen, as it acts as a blood thinner similar to the way aspirin does.  If your doctor gives you the green light to supplement with garlic, you can find capsules in your local health food store or vitamin shop that come with all of the benefits of ‘the real thing’ but without the negative lingering taste or smell that some people don’t enjoy. 

Coenzyme Q, or CoQ10, is a supplement that has really gained in popularity over the last few years. It, too, can be helpful in reducing blood pressure levels.  Unlike most other supplements mentioned here, CoQ10 is an oil-soluble supplement as opposed to a water-soluble supplement.  It is widely touted as a powerful antioxidant, and has been known to help with migraine headaches.  It is most widely known for its positive effects on the heart, however.  Some manufacturers combine this supplement with the herb hawthorn to help prevent high blood pressure and/or lower cholesterol.  Hawthorn is an herb that is used by herbalists and those in holistic medicine all the time for the treatment of high blood pressure.  It is a small shrub that actually bears edible berries, the fruit of which is used in herbal tinctures and remedies. 

Another treatment for high blood pressure as well as high cholesterol sounds almost backwards:  It is fish oil.  Many people would be surprised to hear that any type of oil is good for reversing high cholesterol or lowering blood pressure, but it’s true.  There are two types of cholesterol, one of which is ‘bad’ and one of which is ‘good’.  Supplementing with fish oil helps to lower ‘bad’ cholesterol levels, and it is difficult for many people to east enough fish to do this without taking a supplement.  This is one reason among many that fish oil supplements have become so popular.  Fish oil contains DHA, which is critical for proper brain functioning, but has also been studied for its use in lowering blood pressure. 

Fish oil capsules should be chosen carefully, as some people do report having a problem with ‘fish burps’ or unpleasant aftertaste. Also, they do expire more quickly than some other supplements, and many times fish oil should be refrigerated depending on the manufacturer and the type of capsule or oil.  Be sure to read the label carefully so you can store your supplement properly. 

A calcium-magnesium-potassium blend can also help with high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels.  This supplement combination can be found in your local health food store or vitamin shop, and it is beneficial to buy the complex so that you have no problem remembering to take these three supplements together, which is how they work best for this purpose.  Calcium has the added benefit of fortifying and strengthening bones and teeth, while magnesium is helpful for maintaining a sense of calm and well-being.  Potassium is a key mineral that helps muscles in the body to contract.  It also helps with regular brain and nerve function, and with balance between the body’s cells and their important fluid. 

Folic acid, which is a B vitamin, is also important for regular blood pressure levels and proper cholesterol levels.  Folic acid is essential for a number of bodily functions, and is especially important in times of cell growth and stress to the body.  Pregnant women in particular must make sure to maintain high levels of folic acid.  Along with helping to lower blood pressure, it helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and has been known to promote better memory function as well. 

Of course, neither this nor any other supplement will really help much if you do not exercise and watch what you eat.  Get on a good exercise program and tailor your diet according to your physician’s recommendations if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or high cholesterol.  Then, start a healthy supplement regimen like the one indicated above and you will be on your way to better heart health, less stress, and an overall better sense of well-being. 

(ArticlesBase SC #1243680) 

Megan Hazel

Megan HazelAbout the Author:
Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about health and wellbeing, often discussing specific items such as vitamins.

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High Cholesterol Remedies, Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol

June 10th, 2010

High cholesterol is no longer a disease that only men need to be concerned with, it is one of the most likely causes of heart disease for many. The only way to find out if you have high levels of cholesterol is to get your doctor to test your blood. Cholesterol is measured by its concentration in your blood and a dangerous cholesterol reading (A cholesterol reading of over 240) is generally an indication that you have too much of the ‘bad’ and the ‘ugly’.

There are many herbs that are said to be natural remedies for lowering cholesterol. They can be found in any natural market or on many sites online. They are often not expensive and can go a long way in helping you lower your cholesterol in a natural way. Often there are other ingredients contained in a supplement which you are considering, so be sure you speak to your health care provider to ensure that all ingredients will safely interact with any other type of medication you may be taking at present.

Garlic is one such natural remedy successful in the fight against cholesterol and studies show that this great advantage comes from its main function as a proven anti-oxidant. The garlic actually reduces the triglyceride levels, which are the first measured when in comes to cholesterol medical investigations. Dozens of scientific research projects confirmed the fact that including two medium-sized cloves of garlic in your daily meals will reduce the serum cholesterol while also preventing the cholesterol absorption.

When cooking, replace butter with olive oil, canola oil or peanut oil. In many baking recipes, you can use applesauce instead of butter, believe it or not! Dieticians recommend eating no more than 5 ounces of meat per day, substituting ½ cup of beans to get your protein and eating no more than 2 egg yolks per week. To reduce cholesterol and triglycerides and extend your life, you’ll be limiting carbs, sugars, fat and alcohol but your replacement diet doesn’t have to be torture.

If you are one of those who have the desire to lower your cholesterol, you may do so by modifying your diet as the first resort. One of the things that you can do to reduce your cholesterol is to cut back on the dairy products. Why? It reduces your intake of omega 6 fatty acids, which produce inflammation in the body. Then the inflammation produces degenerating conditions, aging conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcerative colitis, stroke, cancer and Alzheimer’s, just a few.

Crush some coriander and then put it in a cup of water. Warm it so that the juices of the coriander exude out into the water properly. Then cool it and drink this coriander water. Doing this everyday for about a month will bring the cholesterol levels back to normal.

(ArticlesBase SC #1039363)

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What Is High Cholesterol And How Does It Affect Me

June 1st, 2010

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. 

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Dick AronsonAbout the Author:
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

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Facts About Cholesterol

May 28th, 2010

Essentially, cholesterol is like a lipid, which is broadly defined as any fat-soluble, naturally-occurring molecule, such as fats and oils. Cholesterol is naturally made in the body via the liver, however can be created in small amounts through your diet. Cholesterol plays an important role in the body as a building block for cell walls and bile acids and it is needed to produce hormones and vitamin D. A low level of cholesterol in the blood is natural and healthy. Cholesterol only becomes a problem when there is more cholesterol in the blood than the body needs. It can cause the build up of fatty deposits in the arteries, reducing blood flow in arteries and may subsequently become a problem for a heart health. 

Fact #2: There are Good and Bad Types of Cholesterol

 There are indeed two different types of cholesterol in the blood, which are carried in special transport packages, called: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol), takes cholesterol from the liver to the body tissues. If there is a high level of bad (LDL) cholesterol in the blood it can build up in the walls of the blood vessels and cause them to narrow High-density lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol), takes cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver to be eliminated and a high level of good (HDL) cholesterol is thought to be heart healthy Your total cholesterol is made up from both LDL and HDL cholesterol. Hence, the total cholesterol level recommended for heart health for Australians adult is 5.5 mmol/L or lower. To help keep your heart healthy and lead a healthy lifestyle, it is important to keep your bad (LDL) cholesterol low and your good (HDL) cholesterol high. 

Fact #3: Eating Too Much Saturated Fats Causes High Cholesterol Levels

 Although there are many factors which may cause your cholesterol levels to exceed the target level of 5.5 mmol/L, the most common dietary cause is eating too much fat and in particular too much saturated fat. High intakes of saturated fat can raise bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and in effect cause heart health risks. Usually, saturated fats can be found in fatty meat and milk products, butter, cheese, chips, and other snacks. We can reduce the intake of saturated fat by consuming fewer foods rich in saturated fat, such as butter, fatty meats and full fat dairy; and by preferring foods low in saturated fats instead such as margarine spreads, oily fish, walnuts and pumpkin seed. 

Fact #4: Physical Exercise Will Lower Cholesterol Levels

 An increase in body weight usually increases blood cholesterol, blood pressure and generally the risk of negative effects on heart health. The body shape is also important: an “apple” body shape carries a higher risk than a “pear” body shape. Besides keeping the body weight in balance, physical activity can also lower blood pressure and increase overall health and wellbeing. Things you can change to lower cholesterol level: 

  • Your weight and shape (an increase in weight tends to increase cholesterol levels)
  • Whether you are physically active (it lowers LDL cholesterol)
  • Whether you are under stress
  • Whether you eat a healthy diet (especially saturated and trans fats increase cholesterol levels)
  • How much alcohol you drink (a small consumption increases the good HDL cholesterol, however more than two standard drinks per day will increase your overall cholesterol)
  • Whether you smoke Things you can’t change:
  • your gender (men tend to have higher cholesterol levels than women, until menopause when men and women are at equal risk)
  • your age (cholesterol levels increase with age)
  • your ethnicity (some ethnic groups have a higher risk than others)
  • your family history (if your family is affected by cholesterol then you are likely to be affected by it).

    Fact #5: Lowering Cholesterol through Healthy Food sources

    Your food choices can affect the cholesterol levels, especially if you diet consist predominately of saturated fats. Butter and dairy blends (made from a blend of butter and plant oils) are high in saturated fat, which is the type of fat that negatively influences cholesterol levels. Limiting these foods in your diet will help lower your blood cholesterol levels. A healthier choice in your dietary intake, as well as a healthy, active lifestyle will keep your cholesterol within the recommended levels. A sensible healthy meal should include the following:

  • Lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs or vegetarian meat alternative such as legumes, beans, lentils or nuts, and
  • Pasta, rice, noodles, couscous, potato or bread, and
  • Plenty of vegetables and salad As a general guide, aim for half your dinner plate to be vegetables, a quarter of the plate to be either rice, pasta, noodles, potato or bread and the other quarter of the plate lean meat or vegetarian meat alternative. Have a side salad. Experiment with lower fat cooking methods such as grilling, poaching, steaming or using the microwave.
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    chelsi woolzAbout the Author:
    The key to understanding cholesterol in distinguishing between bad ldl cholesterol and good hdl cholesterol. You should know the main causes of high cholesterol levels and act on lowering cholesterol through a healthy diet and physical exercise.

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    What High Cholesterol Blood Tests Mean & How to Help Prevent High Cholesterol

    May 21st, 2010

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