Cholesterol Causes and Symptoms and Tips and Techniques for Cholesterol Reduction

Cholesterol is a fatlike, steroid alcohol with the chemical structure C27-H45-OH. It crystallizes in the form of leaflets or plates from dilute alcohol. It is commonly found in foodstuffs like animal fats and oils, milk, and yolk of egg. Cholesterol is normally present in the blood and does not cause any disease when present in normal amounts. It is also present in the bile, blood, brain tissue, liver, kidneys and the adrenal glands. However, when excess levels of cholesterol is present, it may cause conditions like coronary disease, circulatory problems and hypertension. Very high levels of cholesterol in the circulation lead to a condition known as Hypercholesterolaemia. The incidence of this condition was higher in the developed and industrialized countries, but a significant increase has been reported in the third world countries as well. It is probably due to a change in diet and lifestyle associated with development and industrialization. The incidence is also higher in the affluent groups and lower in the poorer sections of the population in all societies.

Read more on Home Remedies for Cholesterol and Reduce High Cholesterol and also visit on Herbal Supplement for lowering cholesterol level

Symptoms and Signs
Elevated cholesterol levels in the body as such do not produce any major symptoms or signs, but leads to the development of serious disorders like Atherosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, gallstones etc. Blockage of the coronary arteries in the heart by cholesterol deposition leads to coronary insufficiency, ischaemia (decreased oxygen supply to the muscles of the heart) and this eventually results in myocardial infarction (heart attack). Cholesterol constitutes a large part of the most frequently occurring type of gallstones. Very high levels of cholesterol lead to skin changes like xanthelesma near the eyes. The lack of symptoms until the complications occur necessitates periodic monitoring of lipid profiles in all individuals.

Foods that lower cholesterol
So what are the foods that you should eat, and which ones should you avoid, to keep high cholesterol at bay? Here are some tips:
1. A high fibre diet usually helps in keeping the cholesterol normal, apart from its other benefits to the intestines. Make whole wheat bread, oatmeal, whole grain cereals, raw (well washed) fruits and vegetables and salads an important part of your diet. For example, oats are rich in fibre. These bind to the bile acids that contain cholesterol before it reaches your blood, thus flushing this cholesterol from the body without letting it get into the bloodstream.
2. Daily inclusion of pulses and lentils in diet is something that Indians are familiar with. These also provide fibre. Try to consume lentils and sprouts daily. Click here for some easy lentil recipes
3. Avoid junk food and processed foods, as these are rich in transfats and increase your bad cholesterol. For the same reason, avoid snacking on chips and other deep fried foods to curb hunger. Instead, it is a better idea to munch – in moderation – on nuts like almonds and walnuts. These provide essential fatty acids, which have been shown to be beneficial.
4. Fish like salmon or mackerel contain essential omega 3 fatty acids. These are also good for the heart. Make them a part of your diet (without frying) if you are a non-vegetarian.
5. If you are a non-vegetarian, try to avoid red meat like mutton, beef, pork etc. Lean meat and chicken are better options. Always choose grilled meat over deep fried meat to avoid that extra fat intake.
6. Eggs consumed in moderation in the diet do not appear to cause a rise in blood cholesterol as was believed earlier. One egg a day is acceptable in the diet as long as care is taken that the rest of the diet is low in saturated fats.
7. Herbs and spices such as garlic, cloves, ginger, turmeric, and rosemary not only help to flavour food, but many of them also provide cholesterol-lowering benefits.

How to Reduce Ldl Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a big concern these days and puts people at high risk for heart attack and other serious cardiovascular problems. The diseases of the heart and circulatory system are the leading cause of death in the U.S. killing more than 1.3 million people a year.

High cholesterol is one of the primary risk indicators of heart disease and effects nearly 50% of Americans. It’s a silent disease – there are no symptoms until problems have already developed. The worst thing is that many people don’t know they have it until their first sign is a heart attack.

It is vital to keep your cholesterol within healthy limits. A healthy diet and regular physical activity are necessary for maintaining cardiovascular health, but supplementation may also be needed in order to manage cholesterol levels.

What exactly is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat and most of it is generated by our bodies. It is made by your liver from the fats, carbohydrates, and proteins you eat. You also get cholesterol by eating animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy products. We need cholesterol, but too much of it generates problems.
The term high cholesterol is actually a bit misleading because there are two types of cholesterol – HDL and LDL. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the good cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is the bad cholesterol. The good cholesterol (HDL), decreases the risk of heart disease while the bad cholesterol (LDL), increases the risk. Most cholesterol is unfortunately LDL.

LDL cholesterol can build up on the inside of artery walls, contributing to artery blockages that can lead to heart attacks. Most efforts to battle arterial clogging focus on lowering LDL. HDL cholesterol is good because it helps prevent arteries from becoming clogged. It transports cholesterol to the liver where it is eliminated from the body. Higher HDL levels generally mean lower risk.

How can Policosanol help?

Policosanol is a natural supplement derived from sugar cane or beeswax that has been shown to promote cardiovascular health by raising HDL, the good cholesterol, and keeping LDL, the bad cholesterol, in check.

Policosanol works by helping the liver control its production and breakdown of cholesterol. In addition to reducing dangerous LDL, it also inhibits abnormal platelet aggregation, protects against LDL oxidation and suppresses arterial inflammatory factors.

Clinical studies have shown that Policosanol works as well as FDA-approved drugs, only free of side-effects.

People with elevated LDL cholesterol as well as people with low levels of good HDL cholesterol may benefit from taking Policosanol.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a kind of fat or lipid found in the body. It is present in every cell and is mainly produced by our liver. The body needs cholesterol to make bile salts, hormones and vitamin D. But excessive cholesterol in the blood stream can lead to atherosclerosis which is narrowing down and hardening of the arteries. The result may be high blood pressure, clogged arteries, blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.

Hazards of high cholesterol levels

Cholesterol deposits itself on the artery walls when the level of cholesterol in the blood is high. There are 2 main types of blood cholesterol: Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) (the “Bad” cholesterol) and High-density lipoproteins (HDL) (the “Good” cholesterol). LDLs are bad because they are the ones responsible for deposit of plaque on the walls of arteries. A mass of plaque reduces the diameter of the artery and thereby restricts flow of blood through it. Then one day, the plaque ruptures and a blood clot forms, thereby cutting off the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrientsto the heart or brain. The good HDLs, on the other hand, take excess cholesterol away and carry it back to the liver to be excreted. They can also remove some of the cholesterol already deposited on the artery walls. Therefore high levels of HDL in the blood can help to decrease the risk of heart disease.

The safe zone for cholesterol is taken as given below

LDL Cholesterol <130 mg/dl
HDL Cholesterol >40 mg/dl
Triglycerides <150 mg/dl
Total Cholesterol <200 mg/dl

High cholesterol levels is one of the biggest health hazards which may lead to a fatal heart attack or stroke or high blood pressure. It therefore becomes very important to lower cholesterol quickly so as to decrease the huge health risks. High triglyceride too puts a person at a greater risk of succumbing to heart disease.

Ways to Lower Cholesterol

Cholesterol levels can be lowered with the help of drugs. But the unfortunate part is that the drugs used to treat this are perhaps more dangerous than the condition itself. Dizziness, heart failure and muscle damage are side effects of Statin drugs generally prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. Therefore, the safe way is to reduce cholesterol naturally which means without drugs. And this is possible as proved by many studies though not very easy to achieve.

LDL and Total Cholesterol can be reduced naturally by change in lifestyle (by increasing your physical activity) and also in your diet. It would be difficult to make a complete change overnight but let me tell you that gradual and step by step change is essential for your own survival. Now let me elaborate:

Exercise Daily exercise for half an hour must be done religiously. There can be no escape even if you dislike exercise. Exercise produces better results than any drugs. It increases good cholesterol (HDL), reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) and naturally lowers total cholesterol levels – with absolutely no negative side effects. On the contrary, it makes you fitter, leaner and smarter. When you exercise for more than twenty minutes at a stretch, it results in production of certain hormones in your own body which give you a general sense of happiness.

Exercise will increase the heart rate and metabolism in the body allowing it to expel the harmful oils, which are detrimental to one’s health.But those who have not exercised before should first consult a physician to find out what is safe. For starters, brisk walking early in the morning is the best option.

Change In Diet

This means making changes in the food being eaten since this is the only way to control the amount of cholesterol going into the system. The first step is reducing the quantity of red meat being consumed. Good examples are steak, ham and bacon which are all high in fat.Fried food such as hamburgers, fries, eggs, chicken and pre-packaged frozen meals should also be avoided as they also contain excessive fat/cholesterol. Dairy products such as milk, should also be cut down. If the person has a hard time giving up milk, this can be substituted using skimmed milk or yogurt to provide calcium that the body needs.Junk food, candies and cake are also to be avoided because of high fat content.

Now what should one eat? The best items are beans, fish oil, virgin olive oil, fruits, citrus fruits, blueberries, garlic, grains, almonds, other nuts, soy, vegetables and whole grain bread. These things have antioxidants, vitamins and minerals as well as omega 3 acids that are known to reduce cholesterol levels in the body.Different combinations can be worked out daily so taht the person does not get tired of eating the same thing everyday just for the sake of a healthy diet. High fiber foods, such as oatmeal, flaxseeds, and fiber supplements must be included in the diet. The soluble fiber actually binds with cholesterol like a sponge absorbing water and carries it out of your body.

Supplements likeQuality omega 3fish oil capsules have been proven in numerous studies to be highly effective in naturally preventing and reversing heart disease. Fish oil does a better job than statin drugs with no negative side effects.Whole food supplements, including B complex, GTF chromium, etc can also help.

These restrictions and guidelines should be followed even when dining out with friends because a slight disruption in the plan can cause a setback to the process of reduction of cholesterol.

The Final Word

Thus, living a healthy life free from high levels of triglyceride and cholesterol can be achieved. But it does take a lot of determination and discipline to make this happen.If you have problem in giving up tasty food items and still want to avoid heart disease and stroke, there is a way out as one of the topmost cardio surgeon has found out. He says that all these self-denials are not necessary at all and prevention and cure of heart disease is possible in a natural way. If interested, you can find more details at the following sites:

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-2-Lower-Cholesterol-Naturally
http://nunus-behealthy.ucoz.com
http://vital-traffic.com/link/cholesterol

Foods High in Cholesterol – Nuts – Good Or Bad For Your Cholesterol Levels

Foods High in Cholesterol – Nuts and seeds like Almonds and Pistachios are now proven to help reduce the bad or LDL cholesterol levels in our blood. High cholesterol levels are a factor in the onset of strokes and heart attacks. New studies show that high levels of selenium in the blood bring on an increase in cholesterol levels. One of the best sources of selenium in our diet is brazil nuts.

These nuts have traditionally been recommended as a great way to build up your immune system and have even been suggested as a way of protecting the body from the onset of some cancers. Selenium is also found in fish, meat and some types of grains. Prostate cancer is said to be one of the cancers that selenium can protect you against and some research has added corectal, lung, breast and colon cancers to this list. It is also found to protect your skin from ageing due to exposure to the sun’s rays.

Studies at Warwick University in the United Kingdom have shown that eating large quantities of Brazil nuts and selenium-rich foods are linked to a 10 per cent rise in cholesterol. They found that those people with blood selenium concentrations higher than 1.20micromoles per litre had their levels of total cholesterol raised by an average of 8 per cent. More alarmingly, levels of the ‘bad’ LDL type of cholesterol that is linked to circulation problems and heart disease were increased by 10 per cent. So although brazil nuts are not one of the foods high in cholesterol, they raise cholesterol levels by their selenium content.

Brazil nuts are high in monosaturated fats and exceptionally rich in selenium and although average intake of brazil nuts is probably only around half the current recommended level there is a widespread use of selenium supplements. These supplements can substantially increase your blood levels to way above the accepted limits. Weight for weight, brazils contain as much protein as eggs, making them ideal for vegetarians and vegans. They contain all the B vitamins except B12, as well as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and contain an essential fatty acid called linoleic acid that has been shown to help balance hormone levels and protect your skin from damage.

Researches say that it is a little previous to suggest that taking selenium supplements is harmful for heart health but they say to avoid the Foods High in Cholesterol.

Sue Roberts

http://www.foodshighincholesterol.info

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.

Birth Control and High Cholesterol

Research shows that there’s a possible link between birth control pills and high cholesterol (LDL). But that doesn’t mean that if you’ve got a cholesterol problem that you can’t use birth control. You just need to know how to choose the right birth control for you.

Most birth control pills contain estrogen and progestina”they’re called combined pills because of this combo. The estrogen in the pill actually helps increase agooda cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol), and a decrease in abad cholesterola (low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol).

Sounds perfect, right? But there’s a downside too: The progestin in the pill does the opposite. It can raise LDL cholesterol levels and lower HDL levels. If you have low HDL and high LDL levels to begin with and take a high progestin birth control pill, then you may see a jump in your abada cholesterol levels. For many people the increase is insignificant, but if you have a cholesterol problem to begin with, then even an insignificant increase could put your LDL levels too high.

If you have a cholesterol problem or find that your regular combined pill is increasing your cholesterol too much, then you may want to consider switching to a low-dose birth control pill. These pills are just as effective as regular combined pills but contain much less progestin.

An added benefit of switching to a low dose pill (besides for lowering high cholesterol) is that it can increase libido. While there’s no known connection between high cholesterol and low libido, if you happen to suffer from both these conditions, then reducing progestin is definitely the best thing you can do for your body, your heart, and your sex life!

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

Ordinary, we know cholesterol mostly in negative aspect. In fact, we actually need cholesterol to make bile salts, hormones and vitamin D. Cholesterol is generally created by liver. Cholesterol will stick to the artery walls if you have too high level of cholesterol in the blood. Mainly, there are 2 types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

HDL or good Cholesterol

In our blood, there are allow one-fourth to one-third of high-density lipoprotein (HDL).High levels of HDL cholesterol seem to protect against heart attack. On other hand, low levels of HDL cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL) increase the risk of heart disease. There is some proof that the HDL cholesterol molecules clean up the blood vessels walls, and cleans out excess cholesterol and is being transported back to the liver for further processing.

LDL or bad Cholesterol

High amounts of the bad LDL cholesterol will deposit cholesterol on the blood vessels walls forming plaques. More and more plaques will narrow the blood vessels and may finally block blood flow. As a result LDL cholesterol is considered the bad cholesterol. Importantly, saturated fats and trans fatty acids are factors that raise blood cholesterol. Unsaturated fats which found in nuts and fish can lower the LDL cholesterol level. In addition, soluble fiber found in fruits, oats, barley and legumes can also lower LDL cholesterol.

Increasing the GOOD cholesterol

Regular aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging or bike riding, which boost up your heart rate for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, may be the most useful way to enhance HDL levels. The duration of exercise, evidently, is rather important than the intensity of exercise increasing HDL cholesterol. Obesity also consequences in increased LDL cholesterol and also reduces HDL cholesterol. If you have excess weight, you should reduce your weight to increase your HDL levels.

If you smoke, giving up tobacco will cause in an increase in HDL levels. Drink alcohol, other factor, can significantly increase HDL levels. More than one or two drinks per day can speed up health problems including heart failure and there are individuals who will, probably develop such problems even when limiting their alcohol intake to one or two drinks per day.

Trans fatty acids are currently present in many foods which label partially hydrogenated vegetable oils so cutting trans fat from the diet is not easy. Trans fatty acids not only increase LDL cholesterol levels, but also reduce HDL cholesterol levels. Removing them from your food will significantly in increasing HDL level. On other hand, increase the monounsaturated fats such as canola oil, avocado oil, or olive oil and in the fats found in peanut butter in your diet can increase HDL cholesterol levels without increasing the total cholesterol.

You should eat more soluble fiber because it both reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol. Soluble fibers are found in oats, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Other dietary means to increasing HDL is cranberry juice which has been shown to increase HDL levels. Fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids can also increase HDL levels.

Let’s get something straight from the on start; cholesterol is an essential compound in humans and for that matter in the entire animal kingdom.

The idea that the cholesterol molecule is ‘bad’ is just plain inaccurate. Animals use cholesterol as their buildi ng blocks for cell membranes and other structural components. Cholesterol is the basic structural building block for hormones and other molecules essential to humans.

What is Good and Bad Cholesterol?

In actuality there is only good cholesterol until there is an over accumulation of cholesterol in the artery cells and in the peripheral cells.

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol particles (notoriously called bad cholesterol) carry cholesterol from the liver to receptor sites on the endothelial and peripheral cells. From the receptor sites the cholesterol is then transported for cellular repair and construction.

HDL (High- Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol particles (commonly called good cholesterol) are the primary reverse transport system which carries away excess cholesterol from the artery and peripheral cells to its destination the liver. The excess returned cholesterol is then either converted by the liver into cholesterol bile acids or excreted into bile as free cholesterol, which is then sent to the colon.

Hence the Problem:

In the delivery of cholesterol there are three (3) pathways or routes to arterial vessels and peripheral cells.

1). Lipid absorption

2). Endogenous (produced by the liver).

3). Exogenous (food intake).

The over accumulation of cholesterol can occur in all three (3) pathways resulting in atheroselerosis in the artery cells. The LDL delivery system from the liver presents the biggest threat for cholesterol buildup. Free radicals found in the bloodstream attack and oxidize the LDL cholesterol and chemically change it so that the receptor sites on the artery cell walls can no longer recognize the LDL, so it is rejected. Hence come the Macrophages, scavenger cells from our immune system which also have receptor sites. The Macrophages recognize that the LDL oxidized cholesterol at the endothelial artery lining. This is where the problem begins with cholesterol. Since the source of macrophages in the blood are for the most part iron and copper, which in turn act as a catalyst taking what is hydrogen peroxide and converting it into a potent hydroxyl radical.

Chaos Factor:

Macrophages analysis the oxidized cholesterol molecule (OXY-LDL) as an enemy or an invader and treat the oxidized cholesterol as if it were bacteria. The macrophages envelop the oxidized cholesterol particle through a process called Phagocytesis. Ultimately the particle is sent back further into the arterial wall or the cholesterol particle appears as a fused fatty nodule on the wall of the artery. Eventually other protectors in our immune system add to the fight and the whole cholesterol particle becomes a foamy cell. Sometimes oxidized LDL in small quantities can be disposed of in the artery by absorption or by breaking down the small nodule. Usually the buildup is too large to be broken down entirely and in fact the buildup continues unabated. This buildup leads to calcification, which invariably produces a bulge in the wall of the artery. If the extended nodule continues to grow, the flow of blood to and from the heart will be dangerously challenged and may result in blockage which can lead to such conditions as coronary arteries and carotid or vertebral arteries leading to the brain.

It has been established through research in patient studies that there are two (2) ways that oxidized LDL cholesterol can be formed.

1). Membrane damage of LDL fatty acids by metal ions (mostly iron in the blood).

2). Enzymatic damage unrelated or independent to metal ions

The researchers concluded that there are two (2) forms of oxidized LDL cholesterol.

1). OXY-LDL is a marker for coronary atheroselerosis.

2). MDA-Modified LDL a marker for artery plaque creation.

Antioxidants to the Rescue:

It is important that cholesterol is transported through the blood freely and unobstructed. The antioxidant level of the blood needs to be sufficiently high to abate free radicals before they attack the LDL particle. Additionally fat-soluble antioxidant levels of the LDL particle need to be high enough to thwart the oxidation of fatty acids (Phosholipids). Water-soluble antioxidants are important in the prevention of formation of oxidizes cholesterol in LDL particles and in blood in general.

Some key antioxidants are vitamins A, C, and E. others include green tea, bilberry, rosemary, lutein, and N-acetyl cysteine. Taking a regimented dose of antioxidant supplements has an important role in reducing the damaging effects of lipid oxidation.

Conclusion:

Our body was created perfectly without flaw, only when outside and foreign elements are introduced do we initiate a disease or an imbalance. Cholesterol in its purest form is harmless and essential to our bodily functions. Without the proper amounts of antioxidants in our blood, oxidation of LDL can occur in the blood and on the artery wall and lead to the formation of altherosclerosis. Supplementation of essential antioxidants is critical in an overall healthy body. Natural health products are the purest forms of supplementation.

Cholesterol Levels and Ratios – Are Your Cholesterol Numbers Confusing You?

Cholesterol levels are being tested all over the world in order to determine risk factors for heart disease, yet many people are confused by their cholesterol numbers and how they are expressed. Part of this confusion may stem from the fact that literature originating in the United States gives cholesterol levels in units that are different from those used in Canada, Europe, and a good portion of the rest of the developed world. So when you are looking for information to help you understand your test results, on the internet and elsewhere, you might not understand the numbers that are reported in the American literature because they might look quite different from the cholesterol numbers on your lab report.

The United States reports cholesterol levels in mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre) of blood. The rest of the world is using the measurement called mmol (or millimoles per litre). Without going back to basic chemistry from high school, let’s just say that they are different measurements. So is it any wonder that these two ways of expressing your cholesterol numbers are so different?

Here is how the two different systems of measurement stack up for desirable cholesterol numbers.

As expressed in the system of measurement used in the United States

• Total cholesterol = less than 200 mg/dL
• LDL = less than 100-129 mg/dL (below 100 is best)
• HDL = more than 40 mg/dL (greater than 60 is considered protective against heart disease)

However, as expressed in the SI units (International System of Measurement) that most of the world is using the numbers are stated differently. (You can remember which letters refer to the good and the bad stuff by remembering it this way…H stands for healthy and L stands for lousy.)

• Total cholesterol = less than 5.2 mmol/L
• LDL = in the range of than 2.6 – 3.3 mmol/L (less than 2.6 is best)
• HDL = in the range of more than 1 to 1.5 mmol/L (higher is better) mmol/L

Can you see the difference in how the cholesterol numbers are expressed? The difference of course is in the units that are being measured.Think of it like metric and imperial measures. Your weight in pounds might be a three digit number but in kilograms it could be a two digit number. Same weight different measurements.

Understanding the Cholesterol Ratio

When used to determine if you have cholesterol risk factors for heart disease it is not the specific levels that are analyzed but rather the ratio of HDL in your total lipid profile. This number is called the cholesterol ratio and it gives an indication of how much of your total cholesterol is the “good” stuff.

The reason this is important is because the HDL is so beneficial, if it is present is sufficient quantities it has a protective effect and the LDL in your system cannot do as much damage. So even if your LDL is higher than the desired levels, if the HDL is high as well and the ratio comes within the desired range then the risk of heart disease is less.

The goal is to keep the cholesterol ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5. The cholesterol ratio comes in at the same number no matter which system of measurement is used. The cholesterol ratio is obtained by dividing the total cholesterol number by the value given for the HDL. For example, if a you have a total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL and an HDL of 60 mg/dL, the ratio is 4. Using the SI system of measurement if the total cholesterol is 7.20 mmol/L and the HDL is 1.8 mmol/L the ratio is still 4.

You can see how this is a better way of understanding the cholesterol risk factors for heart disease and expressing it this way can prevent confusion that might result from not being familiar with the units that are used. This information is also helpful for understanding why the strategies recommended for cholesterol imbalances work. Some of the best strategies are the ones that raise the HDL levels. In particular, exercise has been found to be one of the best ways to improve the cholesterol ratio because it raises HDL levels. By contrast smoking has been found to lower HDL levels so no exercise and smoking is a recipe for low HDL levels, a poor cholesterol ratio, and a higher risk for heart disease.

Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and is essential for the maintenance of good health. Low cholesterol levels have been associated with poor health so the goal is not to eliminate or reduce cholesterol entirely but to obtain the desirable levels of each type so that the protective benefits of the HDL can work for you in maintaining good health.

So don’t get mixed up when trying to understand your cholesterol levels. No matter what way the numbers are expressed the message is the same. You want to have enough of the good stuff and not so much of the bad stuff in order to reduce your risk factors for heart disease.