Are you aware of the fact that besides the bad cholesterol that produces many medical conditions there is also healthy and good cholesterol? Your body has 2 kinds of cholesterol. HDL, which is the good cholesterol and LDL, the bad cholesterol. We have been told for many, many years that having a high level of HDL was thought to be very good for your health. We were told that having a high level of good cholesterol was going to give us a large amount of protection against heart conditions. As of late there has been some information on how to lower all cholesterol levels, not just your LDL cholesterol level, which is the bad cholesterol.

Those that thought that HDL cholesterol levels which are high can protect you from heart problems are now saying that this cholesterol level is actually also causing us concern as a risk of heart disease. The risk however, is only if you have a low HDL cholesterol level. So as we are told to lower both cholesterol levels is actually wrong advice. It has also been found that even if the LDL cholesterol level are in normal levels, people that had the good cholesterol levels a little lower were now at risk of having an artery problem. Normal HDL cholesterol levels are when you have minimum 35 mg/ Dl. The actual HDL cholesterol is truly needed for the work that it does. The HDL cholesterol is actually a very complex molecule the more we study it.

This HDL cholesterol is the combination of lipids, protein and cholesterol. It helps to clean out the walls of your blood vessels, which is a very important and a much needed factor to maintaing good health. The HDL cholesterol actually cleans out the excessive cholesterol that is sitting in your blood. So this means that the good cholesterol will clean out the bad cholesterol that is found in your blood. The bad cholesterol or better known as the LDL cholesterol then travels to your liver to be filtered. So this explains why one cholesterol level must be higher to help the other cholesterol level become lower and all the while protecting you from having heart problems.

If you need to raise your HDL cholesterol levels you will need to have healthy eating habits and an exercise routine in place. By doing some type of daily exercise for 30 minutes a day and eating properly you will help to keep your cholesterol levels at the right levels.

Have you ever been in a conversation about cholesterol and noticed that people are usually commenting on how high levels of cholesterol can be bad for your body and can even cause death? What one never hears about is the fact that cholesterol is essential for our bodies.

The cholesterol molecule is a waxy like and fatty like substance, which comes from a group of molecules known as steroids. The cholesterol molecule is in our blood as well as all the cells in our body tissue. A cholesterol molecule does not enter our bodies through food, but is made by different parts of our body. Body tissues that have highly packed membranes, such as the liver, and arethoma are known to produce more cholesterol molecules and have more cholesterol present in their cells.
A form of the cholesterol molecule, if present in huge amounts in our bodies could form plaque on the walls of our arteries, which will eventually block the flow of blood supply and cause heart problems. But, the cholesterol molecule also plays an important part in the formation of sex hormones and the cholesterol molecules helps the cells to hold up under temperature fluctuations and most importantly to protect the nerve fibers. Cholesterol molecules help in the much needed digestion of food through the making of bile salts. HDL cholesterol molecules become our broom and will eventually sweep and clean up LDL cholesterol molecules from our arteries. The intake of Vitamin D from natural sunlight is helped by the cholesterol molecule.

The cholesterol molecule is needed for our bodily functions, but as too much of it can be bad for our bodies in increased quantities, people should watch and have a handle on the amounts of cholesterol molecules that are in their bodies. By living a lifestyle with a proper diet, and if needed over the short term the use of needed medications.

Red Yeast Rice has been an ancient, Asian dietary staple. It was made by fermenting white rice with the red yeast, Monascus Purpureus. The low cholesterol levels found in the Chinese population, led to discovering the benefits of red yeast rice consumption. Today, this natural cure has made its name as a cholesterol and triglyceride lowering agent, without the problems and side effects of the traditional statin drugs.

It is nature’s natural statin that has gained in use all over the world and especially in the United States. It works in the liver by blocking the liver enzyme responsible for producing cholesterol. One of the components found after the fermentation process is Mevilon, which acts like the family of statin drugs, sold under various names. It is known to reduce overall cholesterol, especially the LDL or bad cholesterol and increase the HDL or good cholesterol in addition to lowering the levels of triglycerides.

Patients with moderately elevated levels of cholesterol have definitely been known to have lowered their cholesterol levels using red rice yeast extract as a dietary supplement. Patients with high levels of cholesterol and heart disease must not use red yeast rice supplement without medical supervision as these patients often have underlying related health complications and are on medication which could react adversely with the active components in the red yeast rice.

Red yeast rice is not a replacement for unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lives. A healthy diet plus a normally active life with the use of red yeast rice supplements can be beneficial for cardiovascular well being. Red yeast rice may potentially cause mild adverse effects similar to those manifested by statin based drugs. These adverse reactions could be any one or more of the following: weakness, muscle pain, a feeling of tenderness, mild ‘flu-like symptoms, stomach tenderness or upsets, general gastrointestinal discomfort, flatulence, dizziness, headache and heartburn. These adverse reactions are usually mild and disappear quickly after discontinuing the use of red yeast rice.

There are some dos and don’ts to the use of red yeast rice. Remember to consult a physician before you start using it. It must never be combined with prescription statin based drugs. It must not be combined with other prescription drugs without consulting a physician. Alcoholic drinks must never be taken while using red yeast rice. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice must never be taken with it. It must never be given to a person under twenty years of age. Pregnant and breast feeding women must not use red yeast rice. Always consume it with a meal and not on an empty stomach.

Clinical studies show red yeast rice to be beneficial for cardiovascular wellbeing. China is the largest producer of red yeast rice. It is sold as capsules in pharmacies, health stores and on the Internet without a prescription and therefore can be bought off the counter. It is also sold under names like Cholestin, xuezhikang, Monascus and Zhithai.

Karina Jacobsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/red-yeast-rice-helps-in-lowering-cholesterol-86343.html

For everybody interested in knowing the amount of cholesterol present in their blood, a cholesterol blood test is advised. This is the test that will provide you with an estimate of the level of how much cholesterol is found inside you. Doctors usually perform this test to provide their patients with the necessary medications. A cholesterol blood test can be requested in clinics, provided they have the equipments for it. It’s a good thing that there are many devices used to have one’s cholesterol level tested these days. As such, the whole procedure becomes easier, faster, and more efficient.

Currently, there are cholesterol test kits available from pharmacies. These kits can check your cholesterol level and give you the results within minutes. By purchasing these kits, you can obtain your cholesterol level anywhere and anytime you want.

More people are now concerned with their respective cholesterol count. This is a good thing because the instances of heart problems are reduced. Heart diseases are getting common these days. And it can strike almost anybody. However, heart failures are more observed in people aged 50 and older. At this age, the heart had worked so much that normal wear and tear shows. This is why people of this age are strongly advised to monitor their cholesterol level, along with other health information necessary to keep them within the pink of health at all times.

Cholesterol is considered as unnecessary substances that are found in the bloodstream. These substances find its way inside your body as you eat. Cholesterol can be found in meats, eggs, and other fatty food items. When you eat these foods too much, the result is a drastic increase in your cholesterol level. A lifestyle change is necessary to make sure that you won’t further elevate the cholesterol that is already inside you. In fact, you should try to eat foods that can help eliminate them instead.

A simple test of blood cholesterol can actually change your life. And because these tests are getting more accessible as time goes by, there’s no reason why people shouldn’t watch their health conditions more seriously. Use the results of your blood cholesterol count to motivate you to lead a healthy lifestyle and follow a diet and exercise regime that can help you greatly.

The ideal number to obtain during cholesterol blood count is 200 mg/dL or lower. If you know for a fact that your family suffers from heart concerns, you might want to decrease your target. As much as possible, strive to a 100 mg/dL blood cholesterol count. On the other hand, the level of HDL level or good cholesterol in your body should be between 40 – 60 mg/dL.

Everybody aged 20 and above should perform regular cholesterol blood test. Checking one’s cholesterol level every 5 years should be a good enough practice if you are not suffering from heart disease or any history of it. Otherwise, you might need to undergo the same test more frequently and with the help of a qualified health expert. Cholesterol blood count is also referred to as the lipoprotein profile test. If you don’t know how to analyze the results of the test, ask your doctor. He should be able to give you the right medicines if it was found out that you do suffer from an abnormally high cholesterol level.

Edward Chen
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-important-is-a-cholesterol-blood-test-635253.html

There’s no doubt about it, today there are some very effective cholesterol treatment alternatives available, you just need to know the ingredients to look for that are proven to work.

There is too much hype today surrounding cholesterol levels and it causes many people to panic. I say this because you may have a high overall level but if your good or HDL level is high too, then you may not need any treatment.

Always consult your doctor first but unless your levels are sky high or you have a history of heart disease, try to find a natural solution first. Too many doctors immediately hand out prescriptions for statin drugs which can have serious side effects and you are meant to take them for the rest of your life!

Today there are some very good natural cholesterol treatment alternatives that have shown in proper trials to work as well as the statins, but you don’t get the side effects. In fact, the best ones will help to enhance your overall health and well-being.

The quality ones contain ingredients like Policosanol from raw sugar cane. This is effective at lowering your bad or LDL cholesterol which blocks up the arteries and can lead to heart disease and raising the good or HDL levels.

Your HDL levels help to mop up excess LDL to help you maintain a healthy balance, so the higher your levels of this good cholesterol, the better.

Some other proven ingredients are D-Limonene from citrus peel, Theaflavins from green tea, Lecithin, Pumpkin Seed oil and Phytosterols from plants.

These combined help to reduce the absorption of cholesterol, dissolve particles in the bloodstream and reduce the production of LDL to maintain the correct and healthy balance.

Some cholesterol treatment alternatives contain just one or two of these ingredients but all are necessary in order for it to be effective and keep your levels healthy.

If you look for these ingredients, you can soon look forward to balancing your cholesterol levels naturally and safely and help to prevent premature heart disease.

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

Reuben Hopkins

The increased attention on the health risk of high cholesterol has prompted many people to seek treatments for lowering cholesterol. The pharmaceutical industry offers many high-priced formulas for lowering cholesterol that may be appropriate in the most drastic cases. However for most individuals, nature provides several remedies that have proven effective in reducing and maintaining a safe cholesterol level.

If you have been diagnosed with this condition, the first item on the agenda that will assist in lowering cholesterol is a basic nutritional change, not simply a change of diet. Cholesterol is produced by the liver to maintain healthy cell membranes therefore if the problem is an imbalance in the production process, simply changing your diet may not be sufficient.

Lowering Cholesterol with Herbs

One of the most famous herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, (Commiphora mukul) has been used for centuries in India to successfully control cholesterol and as a treatment for obesity. Guggul is a resin that works to rejuvenate the body and has the power to increase the white blood cell count.

Guggul lowers cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream, improving the ratio of “good” (HDL) to “bad” (LDL) cholesterol. Research shows that regular use of this herb can lower blood cholesterol by 14-27% and triglycerides by 22-30%. By working on the liver, Guggul increases the metabolism and assimilation of the harmful LDL cholesterol, producing results in as little as 4-12 weeks.

The effects of Guggul compares well with prescription formulations for lowering cholesterol, however the difference between Guggul and prescription formulas is that Guggul, being a natural plant extract works in harmony with the body making it a safer product.

Nutritional Supplements for Lowering Cholesterol

The nutritional supplements red yeast rice, co-enzyme Q10, vitamin C, chromium, royal jelly and L-carnitine have all been used successfully in treating obesity and increasing the levels of the good cholesterol HDL and lowering the LDL or bad cholesterol. OC-Max combines several ingredients in one convenient pill to combat high levels of cholesterol.

Adding soy products and garlic to your dietary regime can be effective complements to the nutritional supplements and assist in lowering cholesterol.

Dustinkerry
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/lowering-cholesterol-with-nutritional-supplements-720131.html

Often called “Good Cholesterol,” HDL stands for High-Density Lipoprotein.  HDL is a blood substance that picks up cholesterol and helps remove it from the body.   HDL is known as the “good” cholesterol because high levels seem to protect against cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.

Studies show the link between low levels of HDL cholesterol and major cardiovascular complications as well as assocations with coronary heart disease.

According to WebMD, “A low HDL-C level is thought to accelerate the development of atherosclerosis because of impaired reverse cholesterol transport and possibly because of the absence of other protective effects of HDL, such as decreased oxidation of other lipoproteins.”

There are many different types of foods that can help you to increase your HDL levels.  These foods include:

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Found in Fish and Fish Oils)
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Legumes (beans)
• Whole wheat bread
• Berries
• Eggs
• Cranberry Juice

You should also try to avoid fried and greasy foods.  Try to always stick to grilled or baked items.  Also, try to avoid foods that have the word “trans” in it.  You should also use margarine instead of butter.  Simple changes like these with your diet will make a HUGE difference in raising your HDL levels naturally.

It is important to break down your cholesterol levels into LDL and HDL ratios.  You should stay in the range of 40-60mg/dL for a healthy HDL cholesterol level.  Any level above 60 is considered very healthy.  Any HDL level below 40 is considered unhealthy.  Low HDL cholesterol levels can contribue to heart disease.  As far as LDL cholesterol goes, any level less than 100mg/dL is considered optimal.

Early screenings for Total Cholesterol and HDL and LDL levels is essential.   Lowering your total cholesterol can be easily treated by modifying a few simple things in your lifestyle.

To learn more about raising HDL levels please visit us at: http://www.raisinghdllevels.com.

Todd Perkins
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/how-to-raise-hdl-levels-naturally-and-lower-cholesterol-713063.html

many thanks in adavnce,

This is an incredibly detailed and long explanation. I’ll try to cover the surface and find you some links.

HDL and LDL aren’t cholesterol (C) themselves, think of them as cholesterol carrying "bottles". The third fat on you saw on your blood test was probably triglyceride (TG).

The different between HDL and LDL is simply how much "cholesterol ester"(CE) it has (it’s actually much more complicated than that but let’s keep it simple). CE are safer for the body since it doesn’t damage things that it touches and HDL has more of it. While LDL has more C, which can damage other cells it touches.

The other issue is that LDL has marker on it’s surface called APO-B100… this marker can get damaged easily by toxin. Once the marker is damaged the LDL can never come back to liver again. So now it is forced to roam around in the blood until it eventually dies and gives us a atherosclerosis. HDL can save the day by finding these dead and collecting the C from them before they cause any problems and returning it back to the liver.

TG are like storage forms of fat. It’s what you think of when you talk about fat around the waist.

This was a really vague explanation. But I think I probably already lost most people, so saying more would be to no avail.

Hope that made sense, if you still have more specific questions drop me a message and i’ll try to help.