
and contributes to many other important bodily functions. This wax like substance plays an important role in the production of bile secretions, and is used by the body to make steroid, sex, and adrenal hormones. The liver makes the majority of cholesterol needed by the body with much of the rest being produced in the intestines. Only about 5 percent of the cholesterol in the blood comes from the foods we eat. Nevertheless, that 5 percent plays an important role in overall heart and artery health. Cholesterol levels in the body are determined by measuring the lipoproteins in the blood. Lipoproteins are the proteins that carry fat in the bloodstream, as the fat is not water soluble and cannot travel alone. The serum lipoproteins are known collectively as cholesterol and include the following types: Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) transport cholesterol to the tissue. LDLs may stick to the blood vessel walls, and are thus considered bad cholesterol. They are only harmful after being oxidized by free radicals. Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) are made in the liver to carry fats to other parts of the body. When they shed their fat they are LDLs. VLDL levels reflect triglyceride levels, and are high when the diet contains a lot of sugar and pastry. High density lipoproteins return cholesterol to the liver to be metabolized into VLDLs and waste products. HDLs protect against atherosclerosis and are consider good cholesterol. Cholesterol and Diet - View a list of 12 healthful foods for lowering cholesterol levels
triglyceride levels through diet and prescription medications. Diet itself is important but may be only one of a number of factors for effectively controlling cholesterol levels. Some researchers believe controlling stress levels could be the x factor in the fight against high cholesterol and cholesterol driven disease. Dietary factors affecting cholesterol not only include total calorie intake but also the percentage from different food groups and well as the type of fat ingested. Fat will also tend to boost calorie intake and fast food restaurants provide the most concentrated sources of fat. So eating a steady diet from fast food restaurants will certainly put you at risk of higher cholesterol levels and cholesterol related diseases. Ultimately it is the type of fat you eat that is the most important. Saturated fats are found in butter, coconut and palm oil, and hydrogenated oils. Monounsaturated fats include olive and canola oils. Polyunsaturated fats include safflower, sunflower, and corn oils. Lowering the intake of saturated fats does lower cholesterol levels in most people, as is strongly recommended by doctors. Not only does a diet high in polyunsaturated fats help with cholesterol levels it can reduce the propensity to form blood clots, which sometimes play a role in initiating heart attacks and strokes. In addition to affecting cholesterol levels, fats cause the cell membranes to become too rigid, so that the cell itself cannot function properly. This leads to insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. An interesting note: Eating some fat signals the body to stop eating, thus helps to reduce obesity by overeating.
The majority medical experts agree that the best approach to lowering high cholesterol levels is through positive changes in diet and lifestyle. The dietary guidelines are straightforward: * Eat less saturated fat and cholesterol by reducing or limiting the amount of animal products in the diet. * Eat more fiber rich plant foods (fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes) * Lose weight if necessary The lifestyle guidelines are * Get regular cardiovascular exercise * Don’t smoke * Reduce or eliminate consumption of coffee (both with caffeine and decaffeinated) In a lot of cases, dietary therapy alone is not sufficient to get lipid levels into the desired ranges. Fortunately, there are several natural compounds that can lower cholesterol levels and other significant risk factors for coronary artery disease. In fact, when all factors are considered (cost, safety, effectiveness, etc.), the natural alternatives presented below offer significant advantages over standard drug therapy. The natural products are best utilized in a comprehensive program that stresses a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Conventional drug therapy designed to lower cholesterol levels is prescribed at an alarming rate – nearly thirty million prescriptions per year – due to aggressive marketing by drug companies. The main problem is that these drugs have not yet shown, in long term studies, to lengthen a person’s life span. Several of the drugs are, in point of fact, associated with an increase in non-vascular mortality. In other words, while these drugs reduced the number of deaths from heart attacks and strokes, they increased the overall death rate. One of the reasons why cholesterol lowering drugs may add to overall mortality is that they are toxic to the liver and exceedingly carcinogenic (cancer causing). An article published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) summarized the carcinogenicity studies of cholesterol lowering drugs and clearly demonstrated that the risk of carcinogenicity for these drugs is far above recently issued FDA guidelines. The article asked several questions and provided answers that were extremely interesting.
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