Cholesterol In Young Adult

October 28th, 2008 by admin

Cholesterol In Young Adult

Parts of adolescent’s body are filled with a waxy stuff identified as cholesterol. It helps to produce vitamin D, cell membranes and certain hormones. Blood cholesterol comes from two different sources, liver within the body and food. The adolescent’s liver produces enough cholesterol to carry out proper functioning. The blood acts as the carrier of cholesterol and transports it to different parts of the body. They are transported in round particle form known as lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins called the low density lipoproteins or LDL and high density lipoproteins or HDL. Low density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol is commonly known as bad cholesterol. It helps in the building up of plaque in arteries and this condition is known as atherosclerosis. The LDL level must be low in the blood and if it is high it must be decreased. Healthy weight must be maintained and exercise should be done regularly. Food items which have high contents of calories, dietary cholesterol and saturated fat must be avoided. High density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol is the good cholesterol. It is actually a kind of fat in blood which helps to remove bad cholesterol from the body and stops the build up of plaque in the arteries. The more the HDL cholesterol in the blood the better it is. The HDL can be raised by at least twenty minutes of exercising daily, decreasing body mass and keeping away from food with saturated fat. Some adolescents need to take medications in order to increase HDL. In such cases, increasing HDL can be a complicated procedure and the physician can make a therapeutic plan to increase HDL in the blood stream. Cholesterol screening helps to determine the cholesterol and fat levels in the blood. Children and adolescents with normal cholesterol level is a thing of the past. Because of the changing lifestyle and junk food trend, even they have a high risk to develop high levels of cholesterol which also increases the risk of developing heart diseases which can affect the blood vessels and the coronary arteries. The main cause of this change is obesity, junk food high in fat, fast food diets, sedentary lifestyle and high cholesterol level in family history. Keeping the blood cholesterol levels at normal is a good way of avoiding high blood pressure and coronary artery diseases. The blood cholesterol level can vary from individual to individual. Healthy levels of LDL is less than one hundred and thirty milligrams, HDL is greater than thirty five milligrams. If the HDL is less than thirty five milligrams then the adolescent is at a higher risk of developing heart diseases. And LDL more than one hundred and thirty milligrams is dangerous. But a high level of LDL cholesterol is a problem in many citizens of America. And there is an expected increase in number, the figure is unknown, of adolescents who have a family history of high cholesterol levels. An adolescent or a child who has a parent having high levels of blood cholesterol and family history of heart diseases at an early age, should take cholesterol test from the age of two. Adolescents who are obese also should have lipid test along with cholesterol test. The lipid test shows levels of kinds of fats in blood such as triglycerides, LDL and HDL.

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Understanding What Is Bad Cholesterol

October 26th, 2008 by admin

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.

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Heart Disease Risk Factors - A Guide

October 26th, 2008 by admin

Heart Disease Risk Factors - A Guide

Cardiovascular disease or heart disease is one of the most prevalent health disorders affecting millions of people across the world. The American Heart Association categorizes the risks associated with it on the basis of its curable and incurable stages. Amongst the major risk factors that cannot really be cured include:Increasing age- Research suggests that people aging more than 65 years are prone to heart diseases. In fact, around 80% of the people belonging to this age group succumb to fatal cardiovascular diseases.Heredity- A report issued by the American Heart Association claims that children whose parents have been diagnosed with any heart disease are at a greater risk of acquiring it at a later stage of their lives. Gender- Heart disease is largely associated with the male gender. However, if reports are to be believed, around 250,000 women die annually on account of cardiovascular diseases. Most women acquire this fatal disease post menopause.Some of the major cardiovascular risk factors that can be cured are:Increased blood cholesterol levelsHigh blood pressureCigarette smokingInactive lifestyleObesityDiabetesExcessive StressBesides some of the unavoidable risk factors, cardiovascular diseases can be effectively combated by exercising a little restrain. For instance, a little amount of cholesterol is beneficial to health but its increased presence causes heart attacks and even strokes. The American Heart Association recommends around 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day. Not only that, the fat content of the total calories consumed should not exceed more than 29-30%, with the saturated fat counting not more than 10% of the total calories. In their urge to bring down high levels of low density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol levels, many people take recourse to alcohol so as to increase the concentration of high density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol levels. Nonetheless, they fail to understand that alcohol induces numbing of the senses, thereby leading to increasing cases of traffic accidents, drowning, or boating deaths. Hence, alcohol cannot be regarded as a full-proof solution to combat increased LDL cholesterol levels. As diet forms an essential factor regulating the onset of heart diseases, so are the other injurious habits like cigarette smoking. Chain smokers are prone to a high risk of cardiovascular and lung diseases. On the other hand, lifestyle also plays an important role in deciding the health status of a person. A complete inactive lifestyle as well as an excessively strenuous one can both be the cause of a deteriorating heart condition. Cardiovascular risk factors should thus be given proper consideration so as to prevent any fatal outcome. Heart disease risk, triggered by some of the curable factors, can be easily put at bay by following the norms of a healthy lifestyle.

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Chooing The Right Food For Lowering Cholesterol

October 25th, 2008 by admin

Chooing The Right Food For Lowering Cholesterol

Almost everybody knows the effects of bad cholesterol in the body. By bad cholesterol, it literally has to do with low-density lipoprotein’s molecular transport deposits that thicken in the walls of the arteries hindering the flawless passage of blood affecting the atherogenic status of the arterial walls. While few people do not fully appreciate the importance of cholesterol in the body, this non-soluble waxy substance is essential to aid in building membranes, manufacture of bile, cell walls, nerve sheaths, and produce hormones. However, exposing the body to high cholesterol supply result to hypertensions and other cardiovascular disorders or lead to atherosclerosis, a disposition of fatty substances, and fibrosis of the inner arteries. Certain ways to check and reduce high levels of cholesterol are *practicing good eating habits accompanied by regular exercise. *Indulging in a wrong kind of lifestyle or over indulgence enhances the rise in cholesterol levels. Good Eating Habits include: 1. Pre-arranging a total cholesterol-free daily diet by creating a whole week menu with vegetable-packed recipes, accompanied by good supply of fiber-filled fruits. If you could possibly buy or produce organically produced food types from such sources as organic gardens, so much the better. Chemicals enhance the increase in cholesterol level. Carbohydrates should be of high complex standards. Some supermarkets abound in the availability of fresh organic vegetables like lettuce. The high fiber-content of vegetables that you eat will reduce the LDL cholesterol, because these foods are very low-cholesterol-content, or non-containing at all. There are of course foods that enhance low-density lipoprotein to develop to be a total risk, and settle in the arteries during the process of the lipoprotein molecules travel to the blood stream. 2. If egg is included in your meals, eat more egg white, never the egg yolk if you’re already an LDC possibility-individual. Concentrate on baked foods that are made from whole wheat, and noodles made from cereals. Use unrefined sugar in your light beverages. Fully refined food preparations are processed thru certain chemicals for fine or whitening effects for marketing ends, but are in fact health hazards. 3. Water is the universal solvent. There is no harm in drinking more water, following the daily water requirements standard to aid in the total digestion process to balance body equilibrium in cleaning the body to improve blood circulation. 4. Eat more root crops than artificially made or baked foods that are prepared with certain additives, coloring, and extenders for commercial purposes. 5. Drink fresh fruit juices, instead of manufactured soft drinks with high sugar content and artificial colorings and additives. Practically, anyone who drinks chocolate beverage, or any chemical drinks and caffeine-filled, like strong coffee risks himself or herself to certain cholesterol levels. Always remember that trans fats and hydrogenated fats or oils used in the baking or in food processing are even more destructive the saturated fats of some oil origin. Use in preparing your food selected palm oils, especially “olive oil.” It may be costly, but it is the safest oil to use in the kitchen for overall safety of all family members against the ill effect of too much cholesterol. The best habit to consider is a regular check up of your cholesterol count, so as to safeguard against instant increase that might lead to unaware possible consequence of a fatal hypertension, or stroke due to unprecedented cholesterol rise.

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The Cholesterol Balancing Act

October 25th, 2008 by admin

The Cholesterol Balancing Act

Cholesterol is an unsaturated waxy solid that is manufactured in the body and has important functions relative to cell membrane management. It is also known to help produce bile to digest fats and can help in metabolizing fat-soluble vitamins. Cholesterol is both made in tissue membranes and derived through the diet. This is where the basis of good and bad cholesterol comes into play. Cholesterol that is made in tissue membranes is transported by high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which delivers the cholesterol to the liver. HDL is thought to remove cholesterol from arteries and delivers it back to the liver for processing. Increased levels of HDL have also been deemed as protective against heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), on the other hand, is dietary cholesterol that is transported and carries cholesterol from the liver to tissue membranes. This factor is not what makes LDL cholesterol bad, instead it is the amount of cholesterol in the wrong place at the wrong time. Large amounts of cholesterol and LDL in the arteries can lead to plaques that gradually damage arteries over time, which leads to heart attack, stroke, or some other type of heart and vascular diseases. Because of these reasons, cholesterol management for heart and vascular health focuses on lowering LDL cholesterol. What is often overlooked is the value of raising HDL cholesterol levels, which can improve removal of cholesterol from dangerous locations in the arteries. The diet greatly influences health, and by addressing macro and micro nutrients, cholesterol health can be greatly reduced. Macro nutrients that affect cholesterol include fiber, protein, and fats. Micro nutrients are things such as vitamins and minerals, especially those that have potent antioxidant mechanisms, which can affect lipid peroxidation. Fiber, which has long been recommended by the American Heart association (AHA), lowers total and LDL cholesterol levels, while raising HDL levels. Although fiber is straightforward, the trick with protein is to always find a good source that does not have saturated fat and cholesterol that can negate its benefits. Although whey protein is animal-based, it has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol. However, many people have looked to soy to provide cholesterol-managing protein. When it comes to natural products, there are a few key nutrients that can help with cholesterol management. Among these are DHA, EPA, Omega-3s and 6s, Vitamin E, Vitamin B, and Niacin. Limiting oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation are also important components of cholesterol management. Although micro nutrients give a good level of protection from oxidation, a large amount of antioxidant fighters comes from botanicals, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Some flavonoids that can help with cholesterol care include cocoa, tea, and fruit. Citrus bioflavonoids also help with antioxidant management, especially when they are combined with vitamin E. Fruits such as pomegranate and grape seed extract help to limit LDL oxidation. Botanicals such as garlic, which contain antioxidant constituents help to lower total and LDL cholesterol while still maintaining HDL levels. Other suggestions to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels include pine bark extract as well as some types of algae. Whether you’re attempting to use just one or many of these approaches to battle cholesterol levels, there are many well-researched ways to both lower the bad and raise the good cholesterol.

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Some Natural Ways to Reduce Cholesterol

October 25th, 2008 by admin

Some Natural Ways to Reduce Cholesterol

Cholesterol is just one of substances that the body can make on its own. Unfortunately, eating food that is high in oil and saturated fats creates an imbalance. If precautions are not taken now, the chances of a heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases get higher as the person ages. Cholesterol is classified into two. The first is called LDL or low-density lipoprotein. This is better known as bad cholesterol and having too much of it can cause problems in the health of an individual. It is a good thing that the body can counter this with HDL or high-density lipoprotein, which is called good cholesterol. There must a balance between the two so that the heart, blood circulation and all the other systems are working. The only way for the patient to know the levels in the body is through a blood test. Those who fall within 4.4 to 7.1 have a small chance of experiencing a heart attack. Any figure above that is bad and anything below means the risk are much lower. The natural way to reduce cholesterol will be to do something physical everyday. A person can do brisk walking every other day while those in between can be working up some sweat in the gym while working on the weight machines. Studies have shown that getting those muscles to work is much better and safer than taking prescription drugs that are known to have certain side effects when it is taken. The same goes for the use of food supplements since the human body needs exercise to keep in functioning. Another natural way will be to eat right. This may mean changing one’s eating habits but the long terms effects are rewarding. The individual will have to cut down on red meat, other oily foods and junk food. This includes bread, cake, candy bars, cookies, French fries and potato chips. Changing the way food is cooked is also another way to reduce cholesterol naturally. Instead of frying, the person can try steaming, boiling or the quick way of throwing it in the microwave. There was a time that doctors encourage children and adults to drink milk. Though this can help strengthen the bones as one ages, this too is has certain ingredients that are not safe. This should be changed for soy or non-fat milk that may taste a little different but is much healthier than the old one. It is strongly encouraged to drink lots of water and natural fruit juice since it also has the properties that can reduce cholesterol just like eating it before it is mixed using the blender. Unsweetened tea is also safe to drink. It may taste different so mixing a sachet of Equal or Nutrasweet can add some flavoring. Watching the food and drinks being consumed is the best way to watch the cholesterol levels and improve the overall health of the person. The first blood test may show disturbing numbers but by exercising and going on a diet, there will be some improvements. It does not cost much to live a healthier lifestyle if only one tries. This just proves that lowering the cholesterol can be done which is much better than ending up in the hospital with complications that will either mean the life or death of the patient.

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Ten Important Side Effects of Steroid Use

October 24th, 2008 by admin

Ten Important Side Effects of Steroid Use

Steroids are man- made substances related to the male sex hormones, usually testosterone, which promote muscular growth and the development of male sexual characteristics. These are categorized drugs, and when used inappropriately, they may cause severe, long lasting, and often irreversible negative health consequences. Following are some of the major consequences.1. Inhibition of natural hormones: It is probably the most common side effect of steroid use. The exogenous addition of a hormone into the body results into the ceased production of the endogenous (body’s own) hormone by endocrine glands in order to maintain homeostasis. This leads to the ceased or no production of testosterone by the body.2. Blood lipid profile: Steroids lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is frequently known as good cholesterol, and raise low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. HDL is known to protect the arteries by bringing unused cholesterol to the liver where it is broken down while the LDL shows an effect opposite to that of HDL.3. Gynocomastia: The development of breast tissue in males is called gynocomastia. It occurs due to excess of estrogen being present in the body produced through a process known as ‘aromatization’ in which androgens (testosterone like) are converted to estrogen. These estrogens goes to the receptors in the breast tissues and binds there which results in breast tissue development.4. Cardiovascular problems: Steroids may lead to many cardiovascular complications which may arise due to their effect on blood lipids and also due to the fact that most of the steroid users have enlarged ventricles.5. Liver damage: Steroids are known to exert profound adverse effects on the liver. The influence of steroids on liver function has been studied extensively and various clinical trials have reported that treatment with steroids may result in a decreased hepatic excretory function. In addition, intra hepatic cholestasis, reflected by itch and jaundice, and hepatic peliosis have been observed.6. Masculinization: Excessive steroid use may lead to development of male characters in women, which may include characters like - development of a deeper voice, excessive growth of body hair, enlargement of external genitals to name a few.7. Kidney problems: Kidneys are involved in filtration and excretion systems of the body and they need to work harder when they encounter a foreign substance, such as excessive synthetic steroids, in the body.8. Changes in the immune system: Steroids may also affect the immune system. Some reports indicate that testosterone and certain analogues may possibly be immunosuppressive and might also be immuno-stimulating although no experimental data was found to substantiate this.9. Sterility in males and females: Steroids may induce sterility, both in males as well as females. This occurs because of disruption of various hormonal levels in female which potentiate the ability to have regular menstrual cycles. In men, steroids lower follicle stimulating hormone to the point where normal production of sperm is not possible.10. Psychiatric effects: Steroid use is often accompanied by increased aggressiveness, violence, mania and even psychosis. It may also lead to increased sexual desire. Increased aggressiveness can be helpful in athletics training but may cause violence outside the gym or the track.

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Consumption of Green or Black Tea May Positively Effect Cardiovascular Disease by Jon M. Stout

October 24th, 2008 by admin

Over the years, researchers have stipulated that green or black tea consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is very important because people from all walks of life inevitably suffer from some form of this potentially deadly disease.

According to the American Heart Association, in 2003, there were 71,300,000 individuals that have this disease and it claimed 910, 614 lives that year alone. This disease does not just affect people in the United States. It also affects international residents. In the U.K alone, cardiovascular disease was responsible for over 23,000 deaths in 2004. In other words, every one (regardless of where they live) is at risk for this potentially deadly disease.

With this in mind, researchers have been working diligently to combat this illness. Numerous epidemiologic studies have indicated that consumption of green or black tea reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, many are left wondering “How?”.

Scientists have made many assumptions about how these eas positively affects cardiovascular disease and research is still pending. One hypothesis states that drinking green or black tea affects lipoproteins. However, researchers have found that drinking green or black tea does not increase the resistance of low-density lipoprotein to oxidation in humans or the serum lipid concentrations in humans either.

Researchers determined this during a four week long parallel study comprising of 45 volunteers. The study involved the subjects drinking 900 ml (6 cups) of mineral water, black tea, or green tea daily. Blood samples were dutifully collected from the fasting subjects, both before and after the study. An in vitro experiment was carried out to record the effect of adding tea extract to plasma and the consequence on the resistance of isolated LDL to oxidation.

Data was carefully evaluated utilizing various research methodologies and researchers concluded that the said 900 ml (6 cups) of the beverage did not have any substantial effect on either serum lipid concentrations or resistance of LDL to oxidation. However, It was determined that the large intake of green tea did increase the total antioxidant activity of the plasma slightly.

Nevertheless, the arresting effect of tea flavonoids on cardiovascular disease is an open proposition and researchers are still evaluating other probable mechanisms. For instance, many researchers stipulate that green or black tea may have a positive effect on the panacea and on cardiovascular disease.

Before we discuss this hypothesis further, let’s take a moment to discuss how cardiovascular disease is triggered. In some cases, cardiovascular disease runs in families, and in other cases it doesn’t. Many of its victims experience such triggers like high cholesterol, raised blood pressure, and obesity. In addition, stress is thought to contribute to this disease.

As such, physicians currently prescribe a preventive diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and Omega 3 fatty acids in order to keep this disease at bay. In addition, physicians also recommend that patients engage in regular exercise, reduce stress and anxiety levels, and quit smoking to help prevent and keep CVD in check. In addition, drinking black or green tea is also an important addition on the list. However, it is still unclear the extent to which tea helps control CVD, but researchers are not giving up.

Animal and in vitro studies have suggested numerous and probable cardiovascular protective mechanisms of tea which include prohibition of oxidized LDL cholesterol, the disintegration of the inflammatory process in atherosclerosis, reducing thrombosis, promotion of normal endothelial function, reduction of total plasma, and LDL cholesterol and adhesion molecules blocking mechanisms.

In addition, the effect of tea consumption on platelet aggression shows mixed results. A study by Duffy, et al. noted an improved endothelial function post consumption of black tea. In addition, researchers believe that green or black tea also positively effect endothelial function and have found that polyphenolic compounds in tea other than catechins are responsible for improved endothelial function in humans.

Blood pressure is another area where the cardio-protective properties of tea are believed to have a positive influence. However, studies have shown that a positive effect is seen among subjects who had been drinking tea for at least a year, if not more. Short-term tea drinking has not made much of a difference.

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Cholesterol - Discover Useful Resources

October 24th, 2008 by admin

A lot of people might think of menacing things whenever the word cholesterol is mentioned though they need not since as soon as they understand what it is and in what manner cholesterol threatens their health they will find out to change things so that they can continue maintaining sound health. To be certain, cholesterol is alcohol and steroids united and this mixture is referred to as sterol, in addition, it is also a fat that is named a lipid. Also, the most part of the cholesterol that our bodies have is created by the liver whereas the remaining quantities are in fact ingested from what we eat.

As far as suffering from elevated cholesterol levels, the main culprit is saturated fat that incites the liver to produce excessive quantities of cholesterol, and trans fats also have the same sort of result. Though cholesterol is also enclosed in animal foods, there is none of it in vegetables and other plant foods, and when in fat form it does not dissolve in blood. Thus, you need to use a number of other substance for getting the fatty cholesterol to dissolve and that is where lipoproteins come into the picture. Lipoproteins are special sort of carriers that can be either low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) with LDL being bad for the body whereas the HDL is good for the body.

It is LDL cholesterol that is the most important transporter of bad cholesterol and when its intensity gets up, the walls of your arteries can fill with plaque that will cause a narrowing of the arteries. This in turn will impair free flow of blood to necessary parts of the body. And when blood does not attain vital organs like the heart, you may be at risk of having a heart attack or stroke. To enjoy good health, you will need to keep the levels of it at under 100 mg/dl. On the other hand, HDL or high-density lipoproteins will return cholesterol to the liver where it will be excreted and so there is less possibility of plaque build-up in the arteries, which means lower health risks. It follows then that in order to live in good health, you have to get more HDL and less LDL. A good way to increase HDL is by doing exercise and also by eliminating or drastically lowering intake of fats, more particularly saturated fats and trans fats.

Thus, the right assessment of cholesterol is that if it is in the form of HDL then its level should be high while if it is LDL then its level has to be kept as low as possible.

This well known writer is an Internet expert and truly enjoys to share his information with you the reader. Learn more now about Cholesterol and regarding Cholesterol Facts at his website www.cholesterolinformationandsolution.com

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Understanding The Cholesterol Wars Article - Health Articles

October 23rd, 2008 by admin

Cholesterol comes in two sizable forms and it is essential to not only conceive the divergence between the two forms, but also cognize the types of foods that swell “positive” cholesterol while lowering “bad” cholesterol. Only through such discernment can you choose a diet that can lower your risk of developing coronary heart sickness and help counter a heart attack or stroke.

HDL versus LDL Cholesterol

Cholesterol does not dissolve in the blood, it must be transported by lipoproteins to and from the cells within the body. HDL, or “agreeable” cholesterol is high-priced density lipoprotein and it carries up to 1/3 of the blood cholesterol throughout the body. HDL is considered “valuable” cholesterol because excessive levels of HDL have been shown to guard against heart affliction and heart attack. LDL, on the other hand, is considered to be “bad” cholesterol. When indulgent amounts of low density lipoprotein are in the blood, it can aggregate within the inner walls of the arteries over time and form plaque that can restrict blood flow through the arteries.

What Are The Sources of Cholesterol?

The cholesterol in your bloodstream comes from both the food you eat as well as naturally from your own body. Nearly 75 percent of the cholesterol located in your blood is produced by your liver and other cells within your body while the other 25 percent comes from the food you eat. LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, is produced naturally by the body, but hereditary elements may determinent your body to produce too much of the cholesterol. This is why it is relevant to make nourishing dietary choices to greater regulate the 25 percent of cholesterol production that comes from food.

What Foods Can We Avoid?

Food expensive in saturated and Trans fats: Avoid eating food stiff in saturated and trans fats. Read food labels to ascertain the quantity of saturated and trans fats they comprise. These labels will a remedy you avoid foods steep in fat and allow you to choose more nourishing alternatives. Also look for foods with the heart-check dwight symbol on their label. This label indicates that the food is approved by the American Heart Association as part of a energy-giving diet.

(NO! Not the ice cream!!) Whole fat dairy products: Avoid whole fat dairy products such as whole milk, butter, full-fat cheese and yogurt. If possible, substitute them with fat-free, reduced-fat or low-fat dairy products.

Foods stiff in dietary cholesterol: Avoid foods exorbitant in dietary cholesterol including whole eggs, shellfish, and organ meats. Compensate whole eggs with egg whites and organ meats with lean meats. As a goal, try to limit your intake of cholesterol to secondary than 300 mg a day.

Which Foods Lower “Bad” Cholesterol?

Almonds and walnuts: Almonds and walnuts have been shown to lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. Just about a handful of almonds or walnuts a days can significantly lower your cholesterol levels

while improving the health of your blood vessels.

Foods with soluble fiber: Oatmeal encompasses soluble fiber that can lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, while keeping HDL, or “agreeable”

cholesterol, equable. Additional foods containing soluble fiber include apples, pears, barley and rice.

Foods with omega 3 fatty acids: Fish takes in omega 3 fatty acids which have been shown to lower LDL while raising HDL cholesterol.

Recommended fish with omega 3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, albacore tuna and mackerel. Food other than fish containing omega 3 fatty acids include canola oil, flaxseed and soybean oil.

How Can I Prepare My Befitting Diet?

Begin by determining your dietary goals. Do you need to lower your cholesterol considerably or only slightly? Do you yearn to lose weight at the same time as you lower your cholesterol? Will this be a short-term dietary change or a replete standing change?

Only once you know your goals can you properly plan your new diet plan and begin to lower your bad cholesterol and dwindle your risk of heart disease.

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