There’s a Dirty Little Secret about high/bad cholesterol levels!
“The Most Effective (and Cheapest) Way To Reduce Your Dangerously High Cholesterol Level ISN’T Being Offered To You By Your Family Doctor, Herbal Supplement Makers Or The Large Pharmaceutical Companies!”
(That’s why it’s so tough to find this information!)

You can reduce your High LDL Levels WITHOUT Becoming A Regular Customer Of Your Corner Drugstore!

From: A former High LDL drug addict

(isn’t that what they call people who take drugs daily??)

My doctor gave me a stern look, told me I had dangerously high cholesterol and wrote a prescription on the spot. I was told that my bad cholesterol was so high I needed to reduce it immediately or I might have a stroke or heart attack (Just like my father and grandfather).

I felt old and fragile. I felt tired and scared. The medication wasn’t cheap, and it left me feeling nauseated. I did some serious research and ordered a herbal supplement to see if that would help me, without the side effects. It did and and my doctor agreed to take me off my costly pharmaceuticals. Of course, I had to pay almost $40 per month for my herbal supplement.

Then I read an article from a naturopath discussing alternative ways to reduce high LDL levels.

It’s hard to get any scientific studies about certain alternative medicine therapies, but I found a ton of evidence that there were some simple ways to permanently reduce LDL levels. (most of them were already in my kitchen!)

I looked around and found 3 websites that published great information. (Actually, I found 7, bought 7, and realized that only these 3 were of value. (I asked for refunds on the others …still waiting!)

“The Best Thing Is That These Simple Things Worked, And It’s Your Least Expensive Option! “

The choice is yours. Get on some high cholesterol pill that is full of chemicals and causes side effects and stay on it for life. OR, purchase a lifetime supply of some all natural herbal supplement and pop pills for the rest of your life, OR, learn a few simple things that really work.

I sleep much better knowing I’ve reduced my bad LDL and my chances of stroke and heart attack. I’m glad I’m not dependent on toxic laden, heavy pharmaceutical medications with the associated side effects, don’t have to pay for an expensive monthly supplement, and feel much more confident I’ll be around to see my grandchildren grow up.

Anyway, before you spend the rest of your life as a servant to the big pharmaceutical corporatations, buy monthly herbal supplement or “miracle cures”, PLEASE take the time to read the eye-opening information on this website!

Here’s the link (click here)

Thanks for reading, and I wish you a long and healthy life

PS. Don’t just stop taking your prescribed cholesterol medication. Work with your doctor. I suggest you investigate this program and see if it makes sense for you.Tell your doctor what your doing and see if he would be willing to re-evaluate your need for medication every month. You’ll be surprised how quickly you LDL levels come down. And one more thing. This program works so well that they offer a 100% money back guarantee if you don’t get results quickly, so you have nothing to lose (but the monthly cost of cholesterol medication!) (click here)

Technorati Tags: bad cholesterol, hdl, high cholesterol, ldl

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.

Technorati Tags: bad cholesterol, good cholesterol, lower cholesterol levels, stroke

Yes, high cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) which can compound issues with high blood pressure.

Here are 9 steps to lower blood pressure:

1. Put out the cigarette.

There is a significant blood pressure rise with every cigarette you smoke.

2. Pour out the liquor.

More than two drinks daily for men and one for women can elevate blood pressure. One drink is equal to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1 ½ ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

3. Get off the couch.

Inactivity equals an increased heart rate. Increased heart rate means the heart must pump harder and exert more force on artery walls. Shoot for 30 minutes of activity 5 or more days each week. Get moving!

4. Reduce stress.

Do you turn to cigarettes, alcohol, or food to cope with stress? If so, find a new method ASAP. Possibilities include meditating, taking a bubble bath, going for a long walk – whatever works for you.

5. Change fats in your diet.

Reduce saturated fat intake by replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats.

6. Use fatty acids.

Include omega 3 fatty acids in your diet everyday.

7. Cut back on salt.

Read food labels to limit sodium intake to 2300 milligrams per day.

8. Increase fiber intake.

A high fiber diet is necessary for heart health. You need 25-35 grams of dietary fiber daily.

9. Know your minerals.

Three minerals play critical roles in blood pressure management – potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure – http://www.lisanelsonrd.com/naturalwaystolowerbloodpressure.html

Cardio-vascular diseases top the list of major diseases the world over. Medical experts opine that a high cholesterol level in the bloodstream is the single major causative factor in this group of diseases. So what causes high levels of cholesterol in the blood, and what can you do to prevent that from happening to you? Let’s find out.

There is good cholesterol and there is bad cholesterol. The good cholesterol is called HDL and is required for healthy tissue growth and general health. The bad cholesterol is called LDL and accelerates tissue degeneration, leading to general poor health and some specifically dangerous conditions. The body itself regulates the level of both these types of cholesterol in the blood. You can unknowingly work against the body in this critical function and fall into the clutches of various real dangerous illnesses, or you can choose to act wisely and help the body to regulate these substances so that you are healthy naturally.

Is a high level of cholesterol a disease in itself? No, it is not. A high level of bad cholesterol in the blood causes tissue degeneration and accumulation of fatty substances in the body. The arteries are most prone to the effect of high cholesterol levels. They become hard, and they get coated with a fatty substance from inside. This constricts the flow of blood in the body, which in turn, leads to high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks. If you are a patient of any of these diseases then you should learn how to cut down the level of bad cholesterol. It’s easy, as easy as 1, 2, 3! Read on and you’ll see how.

The body regulates the level of cholesterol in the blood. As long as this regulation proceeds as required, there is no problem. There are times when this regulation fails. There are two common situations which lead to such failure. One is when we overdose the body with bad cholesterol. How? By eating of course! Oils, fats, animal produce, and some substances like sodium lead to a build up of bad cholesterol in the blood. Keep these villains off your diet and the bad cholesterol will drop back to normal level.

The second situation is an inactive lifestyle. If you are serious about controlling the level of bad cholesterol in your blood, then you should make it a point of exercising regularly. Thirty minutes of exercise is what the American Heart Association advises. Choose the form of exercise that suits you and your lifestyle best. Cycling, dancing, aerobics, walking, jogging, and swimming are all pleasant forms of exercise. Do these regularly as part of your normal routine, and watch those cholesterol levels drop!

Cigarette smoking is favored by a large number of people. This habit is definitely injurious in general and especially for people who suffer from elevated cholesterol levels. Even exposure to secondary smoke can aggravate the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. So stop smoking yourself, and avoid frequenting places filled with cigarette smoke.

There is another factor which can cause high levels of bad cholesterol. The problem is that the body’s regulatory mechanism is not working properly. This is usually a genetic problem and it could be hereditary. The only way out of this situation is medication. Your doctor will do the needful.

In conclusion, high levels of bad cholesterol can badly damage your health and lifestyle. If you want to lead a long and healthy and happy life, here’s what you do. Number one, stop smoking. Number two, exercise. Number three, avoid fats and animal produce in your diet. There you have it: lower cholesterol levels in three easy steps… just as promised!

Ned D’Agostino
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/check-cholesterol-for-a-happy-healthy-life-681425.html

Bad dietary choices are a leading cause of many health problems, including high cholesterol levels. The primary reason for this is the consumption of to much fat in our daily diet. This is concerning because high cholesterol is one of the biggest risk factors for high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes. In other words ignoring the risks of high cholesterol can be deadly.

Fortunately it is easy to combat this problem if you know how to lower cholesterol naturally. In fact for most people fighting this serious medical condition some simple lifestyle changes are all it takes to reduce it.

If you understand what cholesterol is and how it works in the body you can begin to see how you can control it through natural methods. Cholesterol itself is a fatty wax like substance produced primarily in the liver. Eighty percent is produced by the body while the other twenty percent we need is gotten through the foods we eat. It’s when that percentage from foods starts to go above twenty percent that we run into health issues.

Cholesterol is an important substance that the body uses to create and maintain cell wall membranes and manufacture many of the hormones we need to keep the body functioning. But high levels of cholesterol in the blood stream can lead to atherosclerosis which is a narrowing and hardening of the arteries. This in turn can lead to high blood pressure, clogged arteries, and blood clots.

Because high cholesterol is such a problem in our society medical science has come up with a variety of treatments and drugs to help those who have issues with this problem. But generally it is only in the most extreme cases that prescription medication needs to be used. Normally natural processes work best in the fight against high cholesterol.

The first thing you will be advised to do upon learning that you have high cholesterol is to start making changes to your diet and get more exercise. A low cholesterol diet is more then avoiding foods that contain cholesterol, it is about changing the way you prepare your meals and avoiding saturated fats and trans fats; both of which have been shown to increase blood cholesterol levels more then cholesterol containing foods. This means avoiding and eliminating fried foods and fatty foods from your diet completely.

Eating healthy is your best defense along with a sensible exercise program in the fight against cholesterol. Learning how to lower cholesterol naturally is a matter of doing a little research and the internet offers a wealth of information on this subject. Making the necessary lifestyle changes around diet and exercise are not that hard and the change it has on your overall health are well worth the effort.

Andrew Bicknell
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/how-to-lower-cholesterol-naturally-without-drugs-704893.html

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.

Megan Hazel
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/natural-alternative-remedies-to-lower-blood-pressure-and-cholesterol-1243680.html

I am a 38-year-old female with a total cholesterol of 157. My dad says, "You have youth on your side right now." Is he right?

At your age, a high cholesterol level would have most likely been seen by now. 157 is an excellent number, so you’re either eating and exercising well or are taking after your mother’s side of the family, or both.

Only 15% of what you eat contributes to your body cholesterol total number. 85% is made in the liver and for good reason. If you eat less cholesterol in your diet, your body just makes more to compensate for the lack of it in your diet. ALL your steroid hormones are made from cholesterol. ALL OF THEM. That is testosterone, ESTROGEN, pregnenalone, progesterone, CORTISOL, etc. are all steroid hormones that require cholesterol for synthesis in the body. If you have too little cholesterol, you won’t be transporting those fatty acids well in the body and it will contribute to slow healing.

Think about this, Lipitor that doctors are recommending and prescribing at unprecedented rate. These statin drugs like Lipitor, lower cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. In many cases these drugs activate the Atrogin-1 gene that plays a key role in muscle atrophy. Three separate tests showed that even at low concentrations, statin drugs led to Atrogin-1 induced muscle damage. As the concentrations increased, the damage increased as well.

Your heart is a muscle. Does it make sense to turn on that Atrogin-1 gene that induces muscle damage? The drug turns off the synthesis of CO-Q-quinol in the body as well. Every cell in the body needs this for energy management of the cells. This is very bad science and just shows how little medical science understands about how the body works.

There are some very good books on this subject that are written by true experts in the field of fats and oils. Mary G. Enig, Ph.D. is one of them. She is almost single handedly responsible for testifying before congress to expose TRANS FATS. She worked on this for 15 years before making any headway on this subject. Read her books if you want the truth about this cholesterol myth that drug companies are pushing so heavily.

good luck to you

The pathological conditions in which there are high levels of fats in the blood. The medical term for these conditions is hyperlipidemia, which is made of three parts; hyper-, is a prefix meanings more or extra, lipid is fat, and emia is a suffix indicating that the condition is in the blood. Hyperlipidemia is a general term, it could be either high cholesterol in the blood (hypercholesterolemia), high triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia) or it could be both.

When we talk about too much cholesterol in the bloods we mean by that high LDL (the bad cholesterol), there is nothing called too much of a good thing; so high levels of HDL (the good cholesterol) is not considered a disease. We have to remember that the absolute values of these two lipoproteins are not that important but rather the ratio between the two. So lower than normal value of HDL, even in the presence of normal value of LDL, is still considered hypercholesterolemia.

Hereditary

Many factors can lead to having high lipid levels in the bloods like defected copy of one of the several genes that participate in lipid metabolism. The mutation might cause more production of LDL or decrease its rate of clearance from the blood. On the other hand, the mutated gene might promote faster HDL clearance or lower its production. Either way, the balance between the good cholesterol and the bad cholesterol is disturbed and there is more of the bad stuff in the blood. In such hereditary cases, a positive family history is always present, and these individuals develop arteriosclerosis earlier than usual.

Food habit

The majority of the cases are not caused by hereditary factors, but rather secondary to other conditions. Obesity is considered a risk factor because it usually indicates a certain life style with high food consumption and low physical exercises, both are incriminated in high blood lipids. High consumption of food rich in saturated fat such as found in meats, non-skim dairy products, butter and some artificially hydrogenated vegetable oils is particularly risky. We have to remember that high intake of cholesterol prevents the uptake of cholesterol circulating in the blood by the liver, and these kinds of food are not short of it.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus, especially if poorly controlled, is a major contributor to high blood lipids. Other diseases such as kidney failure or hyperthyroidism may also cause hyperlipidemia. Drugs such as estrogens, oral contraceptives, and corticosteroids can increase the blood lipid level as well. The high levels of triglycerides are caused by similar factors that lead to high LDL, but there is no established link between high triglycerides and cardiovascular diseases. The consumption of a high calorie diet and excessive use of alcohol are also contributing factors to high blood levels of triglycerides.

Alliance
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/high-cholesterol-in-the-blood-or-hyperlipidemia-692410.html