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.

Reducing The Ldl Cholesterol, Raising The Good Cholesterol

In all the news reports we hear these days about cholesterol, LDL, HDL, VLDL, triglycerides, etc. etc, it can be hard to keep track of which type of cholesterol is “good” and which is “bad.”.

In this article, we’ll try to expand your knowledge of what LDL cholesterol is – the type that’s often referred to as “bad” cholesterol – and why it’s considered dangerous to heart health.

First, it will probably help to take a quick refresher on exactly what cholesterol is and how it functions in your body.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that circulates in the blood. The body manufactures cholesterol naturally, mostly in the liver. We get more from the food we eat. But because cholesterol is incapable of traveling through the bloodstream alone, it must attach itself to a protein. This combination is called a “lipoprotein.”

LDL is an abbreviation for “low density lipoprotein.” This is the so-called “bad” cholesterol you hear about. One of our cardiologist acquaintances says it’s easy to remember if you think of it as “low down and lousy.” LDL tends to stick to the walls of your arteries, accumulating in the form of something called plaque. This is the material that causes hardening of the arteries and leads to heart attacks or a stroke.

HDL stands for “high density lipoprotein.” HDL is good not only because it does not create arterial plaque, but also because it attaches to LDL and carries it to the liver, which removes it from the body. The higher the level of HDL you have in your bloodstream the less LDL you are likely to have, and the lower your risk of heart disease will be.

A lot of the LDL cholesterol in our diet comes from fats in the foods we eat: especially two types of fats. These are called saturated fats and trans fats. You find these unhealthy fats in meat that comes from animals (especially the red variety), certain oils (like those used for frying in fast food restaurants), prepackaged and processed foods, and baked goods.

When you avoid these foods and focus on healthier alternatives like fruits, vegetables, and certain nuts and grains, you can lower your LDL and decrease the likelihood that you’ll ever have heart disease.

If you’re generally not familiar with medical terminology, it may be difficult to remember which type of cholesterol is good and which is bad. Try to keep in mind that LDL stands for low density and HDL stands for high density. Where cholesterol is concerned, low density is bad and high is good. Our cardiologist friend has a saying that might make it easier: “Low has got to go…”

By maintaining a healthy ratio between your HDL and your LDL, you lower your risk of cardiovascular “events” like heart attacks and stroke. Exercise is also important. Many studies have shown that getting your heart rate up with vigorous physical activity helps your HDL cholesterol flush the LDL out of your system.

When you have your cholesterol tested, your doctor will probably explain your numbers in terms of total cholesterol, HDL and LDL levels. Ideal HDL is 60 mg/dL or higher. Your ideal LDL level should be 100 mg/dL or lower. Your doctor may also give you the relationship between LDL and HDL as a ratio. The lower the ratio of LDL over HDL, the better.

Many individuals usually don’t start having their cholesterol checked regularly until they approach middle age. But doctors and medical researchers now say you should get into the habit earlier – even in your teens or 20′s. This is because so many young people today grow up eating calorie-rich, high fat diets. Meanwhile, they’re getting less and less exercise. Doctors are seeing cholesterol levels rise in younger people much sooner than they should, and this is a cause for worry.

Reduce Bad Cholesterol

Now you have changed your diet but your cholesterol is still high, where do you go from here? Even though your diet is a contributing factor to your LDL cholesterol, your weight is also an important factor that adds to your cholesterol levels. By carrying around excess weight you are putting yourself at risk for all sorts of health problems including high cholesterol. It’s time to get off your lazy butt and exercise. Exercise not only has been proven to lower LDL cholesterol but it actually increases HDL or good cholesterol. Not only does it strengthen the heart and lungs, it decreases the risk for heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. Just by losing that extra 10 pounds you can reduce your cholesterol as well as reducing your risk for potential health problems in the future. Thirty to 60 minutes of moderate exercise a day has is recommended to see a change in your LDL and HDL levels.

And if these changes are still not enough for you, you may want to quit smoking. Smoking restricts the blood vessels that deliver blood throughout the body. If you blood vessels are already restricted due to plaque build up you are increasing your risk for heart attack or stroke by smoking. Once you stop smoking there is an immediate change in blood pressure and HDL levels and that’s regardless of the reduced risk of cancer and heart disease. Another option would be to limit your alcohol intake. Although there has been some signs that minimal alcohol intake can increase HDL levels its not enough to start drinking or drink every day. Plus there is no proof that drinking alcohol lowers LDL cholesterol. Therefore drinking alcohol should be limited to 1 drink a day to avoid the risk of other health problems such as liver disease.

Remember there are so many options out there for you to reduce your cholesterol levels. Consult your doctor if you decide to change your activity level or protocol. If you are taking medication for high cholesterol, always check with your doctor before you stop taking it. For concerns about diet plans or exercise routines speak with a nutritionist or personal trainer.

http://www.universalhealthinfo.com/Reduce_Bad_Cholesterol.html

High Cholesterol Foods – Healthy, not Harmful

High cholesterol foods are usually foods high in saturated fats. High cholesterol foods are the more delicious foods. High choles terol foods are mainly found in all animals and animal products, for example, egg yolks, meat, poultry, fish and higher fat milk products. High cholesterol foods are a major contributor to having high blood pressure. High cholesterol foods are bad for us, and God knew it.

Your body produces three to four times more cholesterol than you eat. The production of cholesterol increases when you eat little cholesterol and decreases when you eat much. In other words, the more high cholesterol foods you eat, the less cholesterol your body produces. It is true that the body – more specifically the liver – can produce cholesterol for the body’s needs. But taking cholesterol from high cholesterol foods can be helpful. When you do not take enough high cholesterol foods – for example, if you take mainly vegetable oils rather than animal fat containing cholesterol – the cholesterol in your blood will the transferred to your cells.

In traditional societies, high cholesterol foods were regarded as healthy foods. Our ancestors did not know about cholesterol but they knew that eggs, organ meat (including the brain), seafood, shellfisha were all highly nourishing for the body. Cholesterol is not a deadly poison, but a substance vital to the cells of all mammals. Cholesterol in its proper place is good, but it also has a dark side. Thus, the highest concentration of cholesterol in the body is found in the brain and other parts of the nervous system. And because cholesterol is needed for the brain, babies and children need high cholesterol foods for brain development. One of the richest high cholesterol foods is, in fact, human breast milk. And one of the worst foods to give to babies is soy infant formula, because it contains zero cholesterol.
People with very low cholesterol (below 150 mg/dl) are more prone to depression and nervous system disorders. Many scientific studies have found an association between cholesterol and heart disease. But this does not meant that high cholesterol foods cause heart disease – because there are people who eat plenty of high cholesterol foods and do not develop heart disease. And there are also people who develop heart disease even though they avoid high cholesterol foods. It is also important to understand that eating high cholesterol foods will not automatically lead to high cholesterol levels in the blood.

Among the many research findings published in scientific journals, Uffe Ravnskov discovered that: lowering cholesterol did not result in lower death rates from heart disease, but in HIGHER death rates from all causes. More significantly, Uffe Ravnskov has published over 80 scientific papers and letters in peer-reviewed journals criticizing what is commonly called the Lipid Hypothesis of heart disease – the belief that dietary saturated fats and cholesterol clog arteries and cause atherosclerosis and heart disease. Click here to read more about Uffe Ravnskov and the benefits of high cholesterol foods. Foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fat (such as coconut oil) can also raise your level of LDL (bad) cholesterol, so, in a way, they have a similar effect on your body as eating high cholesterol foods. But it does not stop there, because there are a number of other foods that may not be considered “high cholesterol foods” but that still raise your LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) more than high cholesterol foods do. If a food does not come from an animal (such as a fruit or vegetable), then it does not have cholesterol.

To appreciate why high cholesterol foods are not harmful, we need to understand what cholesterol is, and what role it plays in human health. Typically, high cholesterol foods are also high in saturated fats, which is part of what makes them taste good. High cholesterol foods should not be entirely avoided, as many of them are an essential part of a healthy diet, as noted above, but you should learn to reduce their intake in order to maintain or lower your LDL cholesterol levels. High cholesterol foods are animal products such as eggs, fatty meats, and any poultry with the skin on would be high in cholesterol.

Discover How to Raise Hdl Cholesterol Levels?

There are many ways to increase HDL cholesterol levels.

Obviously you can take drugs that increase the HDL levels like niacin. That can increase HDL cholesterol up to 33%.

I do not personally like any of the FDA approved drugs and medication. The reason is, they always have some cholesterol medicine side effects that will harm your body.

For example: Pfizer’s Torcetrapib that was supposed to raise HDL cholesterol levels was taken of the market. You know why? Simple. Many people had big cholesterol drug side effects.

Fortunately there are more natural ways to raise HDL cholesterol levels.

The most effective and safest way is to change eating habits and lifestyle.

Easier said that done, right?

In that case I am going to ask you a question. “How much is your health and well-being important to you?”

If you are like me, I always find ways for improvement. I guess I love myself very much – and you should love yourself also.

Lifestyle Changes To Raise Your HDL Cholesterol Levels

Quit Smoking: I know you have heard it so many times. I know how you feel if you smoke. The fact is that smoking will clot your blood. That will of course slower blood flow to your brain and body. In this environment, un-used cholesterol will have better change to stick to your arterial walls and…cardiovascular disease is on its way. You should either ask your doctor about quitting smoking or research different methods. Later decide which one will work for you.
Exercise Regularly:Many studies have shown that regular exercise increased HDL – Good Cholesterol up to 9%. Hey you do not need to start breaking world records. Starts 20-30 minutes a day. Simple walking will do fine. Later you can start lifting weights, do some cardio and relaxation methods like Tai Chi or Yoga.

Get On Healthy Weight Management:If you are overweight or if you just want to eat healthy, there are countless methods of eating healthy. Many diet lower your LDL “Bad Cholesterol” and many will raise HDL Cholesterol. Here you can find foods that lower LDL cholesterol and also I am going to show you foods that are high in cholesterol – the bad foods.

Understand The Food Label And Which Fat Is Good And Which Fat Is Bad: Many our foods we buy actually contain bad fats like margarines, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Basically you do not need saturated fats. Choose monounsaturated fats like olives. Eat fish oil which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, nuts or oat bran.

Start Good Nutritional Supplementation Program: There are many natural supplements that will help you to manage cholesterol and other health related needs. Most well known natural supplements are garlic, omega-3 fish oils, niacin and fiber supplements.

A warning note: The statements on this web site have not been evaluated by the Food And Drug Administration. The information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Click here for more cholesterol lowering information and advice. And start changing your lifestyle today.

Fiber – It Can Maintain Normal Blood Sugar and Lower Cholesterol Levels

A diet rich in fiber has been shown to lower cholesterol and normalize blood sugar in diabetics. Many diabetics can maintain their blood sugar, and as a result, reduce their diabetic and cholesterol medications or stop taking them altogether, by eating lots of high fiber foods.

A recent study published in the May issue of The New England Journal of Medicine found that blood sugar levels were reduced by 8.9% on a high fiber diet. It also lowered cholesterol and triglycerides.

Fiber comes from the cell walls of plants. Additionally, fiber and water work together to keep the bowels regular.

Unfortunately, the majority of high fiber foods also contain a high amount of carbohydrates, and if you are diabetic, those will increase your blood sugar levels dramatically.

Below are lists of low-carb foods that are also high in fiber, along with the approximate number of grams of fiber they contain.

The fiber content shown is for a quantity of 1/2 cup.

Low-Carb Fruits

• Blackberries, 4.9 grams
• Avocado, 3.8 grams
• Medium-sized Apple, 3.6 grams
• Raspberries, 2.6 grams
• Blueberries, 2.1 grams
• Cherries, 1.5 grams
• Strawberries, 1.4 grams

Low-Carb Vegetables

• Brussels Sprouts, 3.1 grams
• Broccoli, 2.7 grams
• Greens, cooked, 2-4 grams (beet greens, collards, kale, spinach, and turnip greens)
• Mushrooms, canned, 2.0 grams
• Green Beans, 1.4 – 2 grams (broad beans, pole beans, and snap beans)
• Asparagus, 1.8 grams
• Okra, 1.6 grams
• Zucchini, 1.3 grams
• Yellow Summer Squash, 1.3 grams
• Cauliflower, 1.4 grams
• Onions, 1.3 grams
• Celery, 1.1 grams
• Peppers, 1.1 grams

Including more of the above foods in your diet will help in lowering cholesterol levels.

You should make changes to your diet to include more high fiber foods, and do it gradually. Just add a few grams at a time so that your digestive system can adjust.

It’s best to increase the amount of fiber in your diet over several weeks. This prevents problems with stomach-aches, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

The message is, increase the amount of fiber in your diet!

Cholesterol is a wax-like product that is present in the cell membranes of body tissues and is carried in the blood plasma. It is a sterol; a combination of alcohol and steroid and is also called atherosclerotic plaque. The body must have cholesterol in order to form and sustain cell membranes, help with the production of bile and helps with the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins. Over time, cholesterol builds up on the artery walls and this condition is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis was thought to be an affliction of the elderly until the 1950′s when American pathologists were sent to Korea by the Pentagon to study the bodies of servicemen who died during the conflict. They autopsied around 2000 soldiers and found that about seventy five percent had waxy, yellow deposits on the walls of their arteries; a stunning statistic considering the average age of the soldiers was 21. Their findings astonished the scientific community as it highlighted the onset of heart disease in the very young. bad andHDL Cholesterol There are two separate types of cholesterol; low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). HDL is commonly known as ‘good’ cholesterol and LDL is labeled as ‘bad’ cholesterol. LDL has been markedly linked with heart disease, whereas HDL is thought to reduce the chance of a heart attack. It has been estimated that approximately 25% of Americans are at risk from heart disease due to atherosclerosis, and around one tenth have such high levels that doctors are left no choice than to prescribe cholesterol reducing drugs. Foods that Lower LDL Cholesterol There are a number of foods which are believed to noticeably lower LDL cholesterol. Fiber-rich foods are said to be particularly beneficial and will not only lower ‘bad’ cholesterol, but also help the bowel to function properly, lowering the risk of colon and bowel cancer. There are many other foods that can help the body fight back against these dangerous deposits.

• high fiber foods, particularly oat bran, barley and wheat bran.
• Beans and pulses are high in fiber and low-fat. They also contain lecithin, a nutrient that reduces cholesterol.
• Avocado contains prolific amounts of monounsaturated fat, which helps to reduce bad cholesterol and has many other health benefits including anti-cancer properties
• Raw carrots are rich in pectin that is renowned for minimizing cholesterol. There are a number of fruits that also contain pectin, including; apples, citrus fruits, strawberries, raspberries and other red or black berries
• Shitake mushrooms are widely used by the Japanese and include a material called lentinan, which not only lessens cholesterol, but is also thought to be anti-cancerous and may help to increase the immune system
• Garlic is a super food and is well known for its blood-thinning properties. It also contains a substance allicin which is thought to prevent the body from retaining bad cholesterol and research has shown that the equivalent of one clove per day can lessen ldl cholesterol by ten to fifteen% in the majority of people
• Root ginger has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries and has numerous health benefits. It can be added to stir-fry’s (using healthy sesame oil) and other vegetable dishes
• Nuts are naturally high in omega-3 fatty acids and are known to significantly reduce blood cholesterol; walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts and almonds are especially beneficial
• Sesame seeds are high in phytosterols. These compounds are said to substantially lessen LDL cholesterol. Other foods containing phytosterols include; celery, lettuce, asparagus, spinach, tomatoes, ginger, squash and strawberries
• Safflower, canola, soybean, and olive oil are monounsaturated and are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Research indicates that they can decrease atherosclerotic plaque by up to 15% when eaten regularly
• Salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel contain considerable amounts of omega-3 fatty acids
• Prunes are a wonderful source of antioxidants and fiber, which is known to minimize bad cholesterol
• Alfalfa sprouts contain a substance called saponin, which is thought to slow the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries

If you have high cholesterol or a family tendency towards atherosclerosis it is best to avoid processed and prepared foods, fried food, food containing animal fats or animal products, high-fat dairy products and food containing either saturated fat or trans fats. Research has revealed the key to lowering bad cholesterol is a healthy, balanced diet that incorporates plenty of soluble fiber and at least 5 servings of fruit or vegetables a day. This combined with regular cardio exercise should help keep the heart healthy and provide many other health benefits as well.

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