Articles - Cholesterol

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death of Americans. More Americans lose their lives to cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year than in all the major wars put together. Every 32 seconds someone in the United States dies of CVD. Last year alone, out of 1.5 million Americans who suffered a heart attack, 500,000 died. There are over three million reported strokes every year and two-thirds of men over the age of sixty-five have high blood pressure. A key contributor to the cause of CVD is CHOLESTEROL. Approximately, 20% of Americans have abnormally high blood cholesterol levels. The CDC has also found that high cholesterol levels are most prevalent in white females.

There are five basic factors in reducing cholesterol. The first factor is decreasing the intake of saturated fats and cholesterol in the diet.

Cholesterol is a vital component in our body, serving as a precursor for steroid hormones. It also plays a crucial role in metabolism, in order for our cells to function properly. Too much cholesterol, however, can have harmful implications. More specifically, too much "bad" cholesterol or low density lipoprotein (LDL) can have potentially life threatening implications. We often hear the terms "good" and "bad" cholesterol, and although it is a gross oversimplification, it is important for practical purposes, to understand that there are differences in cholesterol. "Good" cholesterol or high density lipoprotein (HDL) is responsible for removing "bad" cholesterol from our blood vessels and carrying them to the liver for proper elimination. Foods rich in monounsaturated fats, such as, avocados, macadamia nuts, olive and canola oils have demonstrated some ability to increase HDL's in the blood. The normal range for HDL's is 35-50 mg/dl. "Bad" cholesterol is necessary for proper cell function, but too much poses a serious health risk. In technical terms, LDL's find their way into blood vessel walls and peripheral tissues throughout the body. When they are exposed to oxygen, also called oxidation, the fatty acid portion of the carrier protein breaks down and becomes a free radical. This is the component responsible for causing damage to the cardiovascular system. This is the process that causes plaque buildup, increased adhesions and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls. Now that you understand the basic difference between HDL's and LDL's, and the mechanism in which cholesterol has a detrimental role, it would be helpful to learn the basic factors in reducing serum cholesterol.

There are five basic factors in reducing cholesterol. The first factor is decreasing the intake of saturated fats and cholesterol in the diet. Secondly, cholesterol needs to bind in the GI tract so it cannot be reabsorbed. Next, the production of cholesterol by the liver needs to decrease. Also, there needs to be an increase in the liver's ability to expel LDL's from the blood, while reducing the liver's ability to secrete more LDL's. Lastly, and most importantly, there needs to be implementation of a regular exercise program. Obviously, two of the steps here are up to the individual. The other three are what the drug approach is designed to control. There are many powerful cholesterol lowering drugs; however, they usually only target one step in the process, and ordinarily not without side effects. A natural and conservative approach should always be explored first. This is not to say that medications should not be employed. In fact, in some cases medication is the only component that has any beneficial effect. It is important however, to use the natural approach, unless it has been determined to be ineffective.

The natural approach begins with consuming a well balanced diet consisting of fresh, whole and unprocessed foods. This will provide the best support for the cardiovascular system. Secondly, begin a regular exercise program. It is always imperative that you consult with a healthcare practitioner before beginning an exercise program. This may help to identify any unknown health conditions that require prompt attention or treatment. Everybody is different, so a workout program consisting of resistance training and aerobic exercise needs to be individually tailored for each person. Lastly, a high quality nutritional supplement consisting of ingredients known to lower cholesterol may be helpful. The supplement should contain antioxidants, specifically vitamin E. This is helpful in reducing the damage imposed by free radicals. Some other ingredients to be familiar with are Inositol Hexaniacinate, an effective, yet safer form of the vitamin niacin. Studies have shown that its properties do not cause liver toxicity or flushing. Another ingredient should be gugulipids, a product of the resin of Mukul Myrrh trees found in India. This is also known to have cholesterol lowering properties, by decreasing cholesterol production in the liver. Another beneficial component known as Guar Gum is considered to be one of the best forms of fiber for reducing cholesterol. Finally, there is an active component of artichokes, called cynarin, that forces the liver to dump bile into the gall bladder and then into the GI tract. The bile, which is loaded with cholesterol, combines with the guar gum in the GI tract and is unable to be reabsorbed. It can then be excreted from the body. Only artichoke that has been standardized for cynarin content should be used. In conclusion, heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, and increased serum cholesterol is one of the major risk factors. It is vital that cholesterol be lowered into the normal ranges and maintained. Smoking can exponentially increase a person's risk for CVD who also has elevated cholesterol. Also, obesity coupled with high cholesterol, increases a person's risk for CVD. A lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a well balanced diet, a high quality cholesterol lowering supplement, cessation of smoking and weight management should be adopted. It is recommended to employ the natural and conservative approach first, before the utilization of medication. Implementing as many of these factors as possible will increase your chances for a longer and healthier life.