| Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance which is | | | | cases doctors prescribe Statin drugs, which lower |
| absolutely essential to the function of the body and | | | | LDL, but which also come along with a myriad of |
| all of its cells. It enables the body to function properly | | | | unpleasant side effects. |
| by keeping cell membranes intact. When there is too | | | | There are many different foods in your daily diet |
| much cholesterol in the body it can cause clogged | | | | that can help reduce LDL and raise HDL levels. By |
| arteries. If not diagnosed and treated, clogged | | | | increasing your awareness of what these foods are |
| arteries can put you at risk of cardiovascular disease | | | | and incorporating them into your daily diet you can |
| and stroke. | | | | both ward off unhealthy levels of cholesterol and also |
| How does it all work? Cholesterol is manufactured in | | | | help treat high cholesterol. For example, soluble fiber |
| the liver.There are two kinds of cholesterol: High | | | | reduces the amount of LDL in the blood. This is |
| Density Lipoproteins (HDL), also known as the "good | | | | present in oatmeal, legumes, apples, pears, carrots, |
| cholesterol" and Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), also | | | | sweet potatoes and other foods. Omega 3 oils have |
| known as the "bad cholesterol". Lipoproteins are the | | | | been found to lower LDL while raising HDL. Omega 3 |
| vehicle by which the cholesterol is transported | | | | oils are present in fish like salmon, halibut and tuna. |
| through the body. HDL is considered "good" because | | | | Flax is also a rich source of Omega 3. |
| it transports the cholesterol back to the liver where it | | | | There are also foods that dieticians recommend that |
| is removed. This is why it is desirable to have a high | | | | you avoid in order to lower cholesterol levels. Foods |
| level of HDL in the blood. HDL is made up mostly of | | | | such as trans fats (all hydrogenated fats). These fats |
| protein with just a little fat. | | | | are present in all commercially baked goods. Margarine |
| LDL, on the other hand, is made up mostly of fat | | | | is a definite no-no. Saturated fats are controversial. |
| and can cause the arteries to become clogged. It | | | | Most doctors recommend avoiding them but there |
| does this by depositing a thick substance called | | | | has been research that shows that saturated fats do |
| "plaque" along the walls of the arteries, thereby | | | | not cause elevated cholesterol, so the jury is still |
| narrowing them and preventing the flow of blood and | | | | "out" on saturated fats. Blueberries and walnuts are |
| oxygen. This process is called atherosclerosis. If not | | | | both heart healthy foods that have been found to |
| enough oxygen reaches the heart you may | | | | lower cholesterol too. Exercising regularly can increase |
| experience pain. This pain is known as angina and is | | | | HDL numbers and is therefore recommended. Of |
| usually felt in the chest area and/or in the left arm | | | | course, exercise is recommended for just about |
| and shoulder. | | | | every ailment under the sun and is essential to one's |
| Cholesterol levels in the blood are influenced by both | | | | well being. |
| diet and heredity. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is | | | | The bottom line is that it is important for everyone |
| a very common inherited disorder. People who suffer | | | | to perform bloodtests at a regular interval to |
| from FH have a tendency to develop atherosclerosis | | | | determine if they suffer from high cholesterol. As |
| and heart attacks at a young age. Some people have | | | | mentioned above, cholesterol can often be regulated |
| high cholesterol as a result of their diet and can | | | | by diet and exercise. Knowledge is power!! Go out |
| control it by making dietary changes. In extreme | | | | and perform that simple blood test! |