REDUCE CHOLESTEROL QUICKLY
Decrease Cholesterol By Eating Right
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) made by the body. About 80% of cholesterol is made by the body, the other 20% comes from the diet. Cholesterol is a building block for cell membranes. Our body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones (e.g., progesterone, estrogen, testosterone), vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat.
Many foods contain cholesterol and high intake of these foods can increase the level of cholesterol in the blood. Having too much cholesterol in the blood is not a disease in itself, but high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) can cause the formation and accumulation of plaque deposits in the arteries. Plaque is composed of cholesterol, other fatty substances, fibrous tissue, and calcium. When it builds up in the arteries, it results in the hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in the major vascular systems.
Narrowing of the arteries around the heart (coronary heart disease) can prevent the heart from getting as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, increasing the risk of a heart attack. Decreased blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke, and less blood flowing to the lower limbs may result in exercise-related pain or even gangrene.
Having a high cholesterol level does not cause symptoms and does not make you feel sick. If there is a huge excess, some people develop soft, yellowish skin growths called xanthomas, usually in the area near the eyes. Most people find out they have high cholesterol when they have their blood cholesterol measured as part of a medical check-up.
Types of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is not soluble in water and doesn’t mix easily with blood. In order to be able to travel in the bloodstream, the cholesterol made in the liver is combined with protein and other substances. This cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoprotein then carries the cholesterol through the bloodstream.
Lipoproteins can be high density (HDL), low density (LDL) or very low density (VLDL), depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.
LDL (low density lipoprotein)
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is called the “bad” cholesterol. About 70% of cholesterol is transported as LDL. This is mostly fat and not much protein. LDL causes cholesterol to be deposited in the arteries. High levels of LDL are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
HDL (high density lipoprotein)
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is called the “good” cholesterol. It carries cholesterol from the body’s tissues back to the liver. About 20% of cholesterol is transported as HDL, which is mostly protein and not much fat. HDL cholesterol may help protect against atherosclerosis by preventing cholesterol from depositing on arterial walls as it circulates in the bloodstream.
Risks factors
There are several factors that may contribute to high cholesterol level in the blood:
- Genetic predisposition. People are at a higher risk of high cholesterol if they have a direct male relative aged under 55 or female relative aged under 65 affected by coronary heart disease.
- Diet high in saturated fat. Saturated fat and cholesterol come from animal foods such as beef, pork, veal, milk, eggs, butter, and cheese.
- Sedentary lifestyle. Lack of exercise may increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol. Regular physical activity may lower triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol levels.
- Overweight. Excess weight may modestly increase your LDL (bad) cholesterol level.
- Age and sex. Cholesterol generally rises slightly with increasing age, and men are more likely to be affected than women.
- Drinking alcohol excessively. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle.
- Diabetes. Diabetes is a significant risk factor for all cardiovascular diseases.
- Smoking. This applies not only if you smoke, but also if you live or work every day with people who smoke.
Treatment
Lifestyle changes such as changing diet, managing weight, increasing exercise, and quitting smoking are the first steps to improving blood levels of cholesterol. If these changes are not enough, your physician might recommend cholesterol-lowering prescription medication.
Medications to improve blood cholesterol levels include:
- Statins – are the most widely used, and also the most powerful medications for lowering LDL cholesterol. They work by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver. Statins not only lower blood LDL cholesterol levels, they also modestly increase HDL cholesterol levels and modestly decrease triglyceride levels. These medications are usually well tolerated, have few side effects, and are taken once or twice a day. Currently, six statin drugs are available: atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and rosuvastatin (Crestor).
- Bile acid sequestrants – these drugs bind with cholesterol-containing bile acids in the intestines and are then eliminated in the stool. They typically lower cholesterol by 10 to 20%. Small doses of sequestrants can produce useful reductions in LDL cholesterol. Cholestyramine (Questran, Questran Light), colestipol (Colestid), and colesevelam (WelChol) are the 3 main bile acid sequestrants currently available. Bile acid resins are mainly used in young adults with hypercholesterolemia or in combination with another cholesterol-lowering medication.
- Cholesterol absorption inhibitors – are a new class of cholesterol lowering agents approved in 2002. Drugs in this class work to lower blood cholesterol levels by absorbing excess cholesterol in the intestines and thus blocking cholesterol’s entry into the bloodstream. Ezetimibe (Zetia) is the first drug in this class. Ezetimibe reduces LDL cholesterol by 18-20%. It is probably most useful in people who can not take statins or as an additional drug for people who take statins but who notice side effects when the statin dose is increased. Adding ezetimibe to a statin is equivalent to doubling or tripling the statin dose.
- Nicotinic acid or niacin – this water-soluble B vitamin improves all lipoproteins when given in doses well above the vitamin requirement. Nicotinic acid lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, while raising HDL cholesterol levels. Niacin also widens blood vessels, making flushing and hot flashes frequent side effects.
- Fibrates – these cholesterol-lowering drugs are primarily effective in lowering triglycerides and, to a lesser extent, increasing HDL cholesterol levels. These drugs include fenofibrate (Tricor) and gemfibrozil (Lopid).
Has your doctor suggested you to decrease your cholesterol degree? That is not a surprise thinking about how many people have high cholesterol these days. To assist decrease your cholesterol, here are 10 basic tips you can utilize live a much healthier life.
For the majority of wellness related problems, diet regimen and also workout are two of the most critical elements. Just what you eat is essential to lowering your cholesterol levels, so let’s focus on that for now.
One thing you should recognize is the difference in between LDL as well as HDL cholesterol. Simply think of HDL as “healthy and balanced” and also LDL as “poor.” HDL really assists lug cholesterol out of your blood vessels while LDL enables it to deposit inside your artery wall surfaces.
The bright side is that you can transform your cholesterol mostly by changing your eating practices. Let’s have a look at several of the suggestions you could begin using today:
1. Have a good sandwich on whole wheat bread or a pita with some lean turkey and great deals of fresh veggies such as lettuce and tomatoes. Avoid the hot dogs, bologna, and salami, and hold the mayo. Every one of those points is refined foods that are filled with fat and cholesterol.
2. Fish such as salmon readies. Search for wild red salmon selections, which are extremely high in Omega-3 fats (great fat.) Additionally, flax seed is an excellent resource of Omega-3s.
3. Avoid trans fats! Not just do they elevate the poor LDL cholesterol, they can likewise decrease your HDL levels! Keep away from foods like margarine, shortening, and also refined foods containing partly hydrogenated soybean oil. A lot of items you locate in the food store need to have the amount of trans fats indicated on the dietary details.
4. Nuts benefit you. Look for walnuts generally yet additionally attempt almonds, macadamia nuts, cashews, and pecans. Nuts are high in fat, but it’s the excellent kind. (Likewise, use all-natural peanut butter as opposed to the typical kind which consists of unhealthy trans fats.).
5. Lower the desserts (treats) as well as aim to consume only the much healthier ones like angel food cake, graham biscuits, Jell-O, and fat-free ice cream.
6. Eat foods that are high in fibre. Entire wheat bread, oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans, and also some grains are great. (Search for the boxes that state “could assist lower cholesterol.”).
7. Utilize the grill rather than the deep fryer. If you’re most likely to have steak or burgers, grill them at home and make use of lean meat. This practice stays clear of the oil, is fun, as well as the meat preferences terrific.
8. Watch your salad dressing. The majority of them teem with trans fats and also cholesterol. Olive oil readies, as well as perhaps add vinegar or lemon juice. Also, miss the bacon little bits, croutons, as well as egg yolks.
9. Overdo it on vegetables and fruits. They consist of no cholesterol and also they have lots of nutrients like anti-oxidants.
Right here are some examples: eco-friendly peas, broccoli, cauliflower, apples, oranges, mangos, papaya, pineapple, tomato, garlic, onions, spinach, water chestnuts, bananas, apricots, blueberries, as well as kiwi.
10. Stay clear of fast food like french fries and anything else from the deep fryer. Those foods will rapidly raise your cholesterol so keep away from the hamburger joints if you can.
These are some basic tips to bear in mind that can go a lengthy method in improving your health and wellness. Keep in mind to obtain plenty of exercise like walking, jogging, swimming, or playing sports activities. You will have reduced cholesterol in a snap as well as your heart will certainly thank you for it.