The key to understanding cholesterol in distinguishing between bad ldl cholesterol and good hdl cholesterol. You should know the main causes of high cholesterol levels and act on lowering cholesterol through a healthy diet and physical exercise.
You Docs: Some ways to raise your good cholesterol and what to do about that bikini line
You Docs: Some ways to raise your good cholesterol and what to do about that bikini line
Here are some tips to boost your good cholesterol and whether waxing is better than shaving for your bikini line.
Read more on The Oregonian
Categories: Weight Loss Tags: About, bikini, cholesterol, Docs, good, line, raise, Some, Ways
Should We Test Teens for High Cholesterol?
Should We Test Teens for High Cholesterol?
American teens may be at risk for problems once associated only with middle age. Hypercholesterolemia – United States – Health – Diseases & Conditions – Cholesterol
Read more on ABC News
Categories: Cholesterol Tags: cholesterol, High, Should, Teens, Test
Part 1: Cholesterol (BMA Leeds)
Dr Malcolm Kendrick speaks to Leeds BMA Meeting about why Cholesterol does not cause heart disease. see www.thincs.org
Categories: Cholesterol Tags: cholesterol, Leeds, Part
1 in 5 U.S. Kids Has High Cholesterol
1 in 5 U.S. Kids Has High Cholesterol
THURSDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) — Twenty percent of U.S. children and teens have abnormal lipid levels, an indication of too much bad cholesterol, too little good cholesterol or high triglycerides, federal health officials report.
Read more on HealthDay via Yahoo! News
Categories: Cholesterol Tags: cholesterol, High, Kids, U.S.
Categories: Cholesterol Tags: cholesterol, Exposing, Myth
Understanding Cholesterol (Heart Basics #5)
Cholesterol. You hear the word a lot. But what exactly is Cholesterol, and why should you be concerned about it?Watch More Health Videos at Health Guru: www.healthguru.com
Categories: Cholesterol Tags: Basics, cholesterol, Heart, Understanding
Facts About Cholesterol
Fact #1: Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in cell membranes in the body.
Essentially, cholesterol is like a lipid, which is broadly defined as any fat-soluble, naturally-occurring molecule, such as fats and oils. Cholesterol is naturally made in the body via the liver, however can be created in small amounts through your diet. Cholesterol plays an important role in the body as a building block for cell walls and bile acids and it is needed to produce hormones and vitamin D. A low level of cholesterol in the blood is natural and healthy. Cholesterol only becomes a problem when there is more cholesterol in the blood than the body needs. It can cause the build up of fatty deposits in the arteries, reducing blood flow in arteries and may subsequently become a problem for a heart health.
Fact #2: There are Good and Bad Types of Cholesterol
There are indeed two different types of cholesterol in the blood, which are carried in special transport packages, called: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol), takes cholesterol from the liver to the body tissues. If there is a high level of bad (LDL) cholesterol in the blood it can build up in the walls of the blood vessels and cause them to narrow High-density lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol), takes cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver to be eliminated and a high level of good (HDL) cholesterol is thought to be heart healthy Your total cholesterol is made up from both LDL and HDL cholesterol. Hence, the total cholesterol level recommended for heart health for Australians adult is 5.5 mmol/L or lower. To help keep your heart healthy and lead a healthy lifestyle, it is important to keep your bad (LDL) cholesterol low and your good (HDL) cholesterol high.
Fact #3: Eating Too Much Saturated Fats Causes High Cholesterol Levels
Although there are many factors which may cause your cholesterol levels to exceed the target level of 5.5 mmol/L, the most common dietary cause is eating too much fat and in particular too much saturated fat. High intakes of saturated fat can raise bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and in effect cause heart health risks. Usually, saturated fats can be found in fatty meat and milk products, butter, cheese, chips, and other snacks. We can reduce the intake of saturated fat by consuming fewer foods rich in saturated fat, such as butter, fatty meats and full fat dairy; and by preferring foods low in saturated fats instead such as margarine spreads, oily fish, walnuts and pumpkin seed.
Fact #4: Physical Exercise Will Lower Cholesterol Levels
An increase in body weight usually increases blood cholesterol, blood pressure and generally the risk of negative effects on heart health. The body shape is also important: an “apple” body shape carries a higher risk than a “pear” body shape. Besides keeping the body weight in balance, physical activity can also lower blood pressure and increase overall health and wellbeing. Things you can change to lower cholesterol level:
Your weight and shape (an increase in weight tends to increase cholesterol levels)
Whether you are physically active (it lowers LDL cholesterol)
Whether you are under stress
Whether you eat a healthy diet (especially saturated and trans fats increase cholesterol levels)
How much alcohol you drink (a small consumption increases the good HDL cholesterol, however more than two standard drinks per day will increase your overall cholesterol)
Whether you smoke Things you can’t change:
your gender (men tend to have higher cholesterol levels than women, until menopause when men and women are at equal risk)
your age (cholesterol levels increase with age)
your ethnicity (some ethnic groups have a higher risk than others)
your family history (if your family is affected by cholesterol then you are likely to be affected by it).
Fact #5: Lowering Cholesterol through Healthy Food sources
Your food choices can affect the cholesterol levels, especially if you diet consist predominately of saturated fats. Butter and dairy blends (made from a blend of butter and plant oils) are high in saturated fat, which is the type of fat that negatively influences cholesterol levels. Limiting these foods in your diet will help lower your blood cholesterol levels. A healthier choice in your dietary intake, as well as a healthy, active lifestyle will keep your cholesterol within the recommended levels. A sensible healthy meal should include the following:
Lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs or vegetarian meat alternative such as legumes, beans, lentils or nuts, and
Pasta, rice, noodles, couscous, potato or bread, and
Plenty of vegetables and salad As a general guide, aim for half your dinner plate to be vegetables, a quarter of the plate to be either rice, pasta, noodles, potato or bread and the other quarter of the plate lean meat or vegetarian meat alternative. Have a side salad. Experiment with lower fat cooking methods such as grilling, poaching, steaming or using the microwave.
Categories: Cholesterol Tags: About, cholesterol, Facts
MEDICAL – How cholesterol clogs your arteries (atherosclerosis)
To inform on the Atherosclerosis and its complex biological process: it is the idea of this project dedicated to the prevention of the cardiovascular risks of diseases. It was carried out by scientists and is adressed to general public. www.technicom-sa.fr
Categories: Cholesterol Tags: arteries, atherosclerosis, cholesterol, clogs, MEDICAL
Daiichi Sankyo’s cholesterol drug gets generic threat
Daiichi Sankyo’s cholesterol drug gets generic threat
* Daiichi Sankyo, Genzyme sue Impax over cholesterol drug
Read more on Reuters via Yahoo! Malaysia News
Categories: Cholesterol Tags: cholesterol, Daiichi, Drug, generic, gets, Sankyo's, threat
Why You Should Be Lowering Blood Cholesterol Naturally
Lots of people want to know about ways to lower cholesterol naturally. Fortunately, there are answers available. It is important to first know there is no magic pill for reducing cholesterol levels. What is essential is that you are keeping to a diet that is particularly designed to lower cholesterol levels. To lower the level of cholesterol in your body you should also get some exercise on a regular basis.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a substance that is soft and waxy and can be seen in the cells of your body.
Our bodies make use of cholesterol to function efficiently. The body also makes use of cholesterol in making other valuable substances such as Vitamin D and hormones that help to properly digest food.
Understanding Normal Cholesterol Levels
Doctors use a specially graded chart to determine whether or not yours can be considered normal cholesterol level or whether your cholesterol level is too high.
If you have lower than 200 mg/dL, it means your cholesterol level is under control. If the chart shows that your level is higher than 200 mg/dL but lower than 239 mg/dL, then it is not bad but you still need to be careful. If your cholesterol level is in excess of 240 mg/dL, then you have high cholesterol.
You can find many natural means that you can use to reduce cholesterol if you find that your level of cholesterol is on the higher side. However, not all cholesterol is bad. HDL cholesterol is beneficial to you. LDL cholesterol is the one that is considered harmful.
Ways of Lowering LDL Cholesterol
Low density lipoprotein, also called LDL, is the cholesterol that is considered bad for health. It carries cholesterol to the body tissues that use it to function. When you regularly consume excessive amounts of cholesterol your body often struggles to utilize it all. At this time LDL releases the surplus into the blood stream. This can be problematic as the extra cholesterol that is released keeps building up in the arteries. This constant build up leads to formation of plaque.
It is important to know how to lower ldl cholesterol by making dietary changes. It is best to avoid eating high cholesterol foods. You can easily find foods that help to lower cholesterol levels. Whole grains and oatmeal are some of the best.
How to lower Cholesterol Naturally
If you have been told that you have high cholesterol, but do not wish to take any kind of cholesterol medication, there are many alternative ways that you could use to reduce your levels of cholesterol naturally. One of the most valuable thing you can do is to eat plenty of foods that will reduce cholesterol levels and avoid those foods that are confirmed to be loaded with cholesterol. Some amount of exercise is a good option but it is best if used in conjunction with a diet that excludes high cholesterol foods.
Reducing your cholesterol by natural means will not happen overnight. But if you are determined, it is just a matter of time that you will see those cholesterol readings falling.
Lowering cholesterol naturally is not as effective for all. Many individuals would be advised to take medication. It is good to know though that you can reduce your cholesterol with medication and combine it with natural lowering methods as well. It is best to get your doctor’s advice before you embark upon any program for lowering your cholesterol using natural methods or with the prescribed medication
Lowering cholesterol naturally does take time but it can be achieved. You can find many different foods that can help you to keep normal cholesterol numbers. However, several individuals will have need of medication as well as natural cholesterol reducing measures.
Categories: Cholesterol Tags: Blood, cholesterol, Lowering, Naturally, Should
