Understanding Cholesterol and Heart Health
Richard asked:
If you have a better idea of what cholesterol is and how you can manage it in your life, this information will lead to better heart health, and all round better feeling of well being. Cholesterol is a waxy like substance that is found in the walls of all your body cells, from your nervous system to your liver and in your blood stream as well. Your body uses this cholesterol to make necessary hormones, bile acids, vitamin D and other vital substances that your body needs to survive. There are good and bad types of cholesterol as well
Where does the Cholesterol in your body come from?
Your body manufacturers all the cholesterol your body requires from the foods you eat. This cholesterol will circulate in your bloodstream in packages known as lipoproteins, which consist of fat inside and protein on the outside. Cholesterol which is a fatty substance does not mix with the blood, just as oil does not mix with water. Your blood carries it to the parts of the body where it is required as mentioned above
Your Body has 2 Types of cholesterol in your body, both good and bad!.
Your body carries two types of cholesterol one which is good for your health and the other bad… These are known as low density lipoprotein or LDL which is the bad cholesterol which carries cholesterol that builds up in your body tissues including your heart arteries. Most cholesterol in your blood at any given time is the LDL cholesterol. The higher the levels are of LDL cholesterol in your blood stream; the higher your dangers are of contracting heart disease. So remember LDL is the bad cholesterol and you don’t want high levels of this type in your body.
The good Cholesterol in your body is called HDL cholesterol. This cholesterol carries cholesterol away from your tissues to your liver where it is harmlessly removed from your body by natural secretion. Low levels of HDL increase heart disease. Healthy levels of HDL are good for you. Do not get mixed up between the two.
Why are high levels of LDL Cholesterol bad for your body?
Too much cholesterol in your blood leads to blocked and clogged up body tissues including your heart arteries. This build up is called plaque and as a result your arteries become less flexible. You may have heard the term atherosclerosis; which is hardening of your arteries and as you know the end result can be a heart attack. It is not just your heart blood vessels that can suffer from too much cholesterol, but any of the arteries in your body as well. If your coronary artery becomes blocked by too much plaque you will suffer angina because your blood is unable to get the oxygen it needs or the nutrients to the heart muscle. Hardening of the coronary artery is called coronary heart disease which you may likely by now have heard somewhere or another. This form of heart disease is becoming common in the western world due to high cholesterol in the blood from; Yes; and you guessed it; from unhealthy eating habits!
The risk factors.
Certain risk factors nothing can be done about regarding heart diseases and cholesterol levels. These factors where risks of heart disease are increased, are age groups for men and women over 45, which are ages that will increase the likelihood of coronary heart disease from atherosclerosis. Family history of early heart disease is also a factor that must be taken into consideration. The lack of regular exercise and bad eating habits increase the risk of heart disease from cholesterol as well. Most fast foods are prepared in unhealthy fats which is a high risk factor more than anything else as well…
How to lower your risks of high cholesterol.
Perhaps you have heard some of these tips before but it is prudent to go over them again for your information:
1 Avoid foods with high animal fat content. Trim excess fat off meat
2. Eat Lots of fruit, vegetables, and fiber for your health
3. Eat less salt in your diet and limit salty snacks and foods.
4. Lose some weight if you are carrying too much according to your BMI (Body Mass Index)
5. Regular sensible exercise in moderation and plenty of fresh air.
6. Stay calm and avoid stressful situations.
7. Limit your alcohol intake to a sensible level.
8. Smoke less, or give up altogether if possible.
Other treatments that can be used if your doctor has found you to have unhealthy levels of cholesterol are certain drugs called ‘statins’ that will control the rate which your body produces cholesterol. These drugs increase HDL and lower the bad LDL cholesterols. See above about what we mentioned about the good and bad cholesterols.
Watch your diet and eat healthily
Choose healthy fats like olive oil, avocado pears, peanut butter, unsalted nuts and fish oils. Try and limit intakes of salt, polyunsaturated fats, sunflower oils, soft margarines and salad dressings like mayonnaise. (Some newer soft low cholesterol margarine is available on the market that is completely safe to use nowadays though).
Watch out particularly to avoid eating too much animal fats on meats, eat less eggs, cheese, fatty meats, butter, and ice creams and of course take out foods. Naturally you can eat any of the above as long as you are sensible about it. Everyone tells you to eat more fiber, and by now with this advice it should be a given. If you are not eating enough greens or fresh vegetables then take some sort of antioxidants or supplements. Cut down drinking of alcohol to one or two drinks a day.
There is some great advice and diets that have been designed to help people with high cholesterol reduce these high levels. With a little research you will find the right ways to control your cholesterol.
More Heart Health Information Here
Caffeinated Content
If you have a better idea of what cholesterol is and how you can manage it in your life, this information will lead to better heart health, and all round better feeling of well being. Cholesterol is a waxy like substance that is found in the walls of all your body cells, from your nervous system to your liver and in your blood stream as well. Your body uses this cholesterol to make necessary hormones, bile acids, vitamin D and other vital substances that your body needs to survive. There are good and bad types of cholesterol as well
Where does the Cholesterol in your body come from?
Your body manufacturers all the cholesterol your body requires from the foods you eat. This cholesterol will circulate in your bloodstream in packages known as lipoproteins, which consist of fat inside and protein on the outside. Cholesterol which is a fatty substance does not mix with the blood, just as oil does not mix with water. Your blood carries it to the parts of the body where it is required as mentioned above
Your Body has 2 Types of cholesterol in your body, both good and bad!.
Your body carries two types of cholesterol one which is good for your health and the other bad… These are known as low density lipoprotein or LDL which is the bad cholesterol which carries cholesterol that builds up in your body tissues including your heart arteries. Most cholesterol in your blood at any given time is the LDL cholesterol. The higher the levels are of LDL cholesterol in your blood stream; the higher your dangers are of contracting heart disease. So remember LDL is the bad cholesterol and you don’t want high levels of this type in your body.
The good Cholesterol in your body is called HDL cholesterol. This cholesterol carries cholesterol away from your tissues to your liver where it is harmlessly removed from your body by natural secretion. Low levels of HDL increase heart disease. Healthy levels of HDL are good for you. Do not get mixed up between the two.
Why are high levels of LDL Cholesterol bad for your body?
Too much cholesterol in your blood leads to blocked and clogged up body tissues including your heart arteries. This build up is called plaque and as a result your arteries become less flexible. You may have heard the term atherosclerosis; which is hardening of your arteries and as you know the end result can be a heart attack. It is not just your heart blood vessels that can suffer from too much cholesterol, but any of the arteries in your body as well. If your coronary artery becomes blocked by too much plaque you will suffer angina because your blood is unable to get the oxygen it needs or the nutrients to the heart muscle. Hardening of the coronary artery is called coronary heart disease which you may likely by now have heard somewhere or another. This form of heart disease is becoming common in the western world due to high cholesterol in the blood from; Yes; and you guessed it; from unhealthy eating habits!
The risk factors.
Certain risk factors nothing can be done about regarding heart diseases and cholesterol levels. These factors where risks of heart disease are increased, are age groups for men and women over 45, which are ages that will increase the likelihood of coronary heart disease from atherosclerosis. Family history of early heart disease is also a factor that must be taken into consideration. The lack of regular exercise and bad eating habits increase the risk of heart disease from cholesterol as well. Most fast foods are prepared in unhealthy fats which is a high risk factor more than anything else as well…
How to lower your risks of high cholesterol.
Perhaps you have heard some of these tips before but it is prudent to go over them again for your information:
1 Avoid foods with high animal fat content. Trim excess fat off meat
2. Eat Lots of fruit, vegetables, and fiber for your health
3. Eat less salt in your diet and limit salty snacks and foods.
4. Lose some weight if you are carrying too much according to your BMI (Body Mass Index)
5. Regular sensible exercise in moderation and plenty of fresh air.
6. Stay calm and avoid stressful situations.
7. Limit your alcohol intake to a sensible level.
8. Smoke less, or give up altogether if possible.
Other treatments that can be used if your doctor has found you to have unhealthy levels of cholesterol are certain drugs called ‘statins’ that will control the rate which your body produces cholesterol. These drugs increase HDL and lower the bad LDL cholesterols. See above about what we mentioned about the good and bad cholesterols.
Watch your diet and eat healthily
Choose healthy fats like olive oil, avocado pears, peanut butter, unsalted nuts and fish oils. Try and limit intakes of salt, polyunsaturated fats, sunflower oils, soft margarines and salad dressings like mayonnaise. (Some newer soft low cholesterol margarine is available on the market that is completely safe to use nowadays though).
Watch out particularly to avoid eating too much animal fats on meats, eat less eggs, cheese, fatty meats, butter, and ice creams and of course take out foods. Naturally you can eat any of the above as long as you are sensible about it. Everyone tells you to eat more fiber, and by now with this advice it should be a given. If you are not eating enough greens or fresh vegetables then take some sort of antioxidants or supplements. Cut down drinking of alcohol to one or two drinks a day.
There is some great advice and diets that have been designed to help people with high cholesterol reduce these high levels. With a little research you will find the right ways to control your cholesterol.
More Heart Health Information Here
Caffeinated Content
Cheap Heart Health Is Not A Mystery
Lynne Gordon asked:
Good heart health does not have to be expensive. Mother Nature provides three cardiovascular cures/helpers which are surprisingly low in cost. Together all three can help you build up a weak heart and are guaranteed to provide additional benefits in preventing type II diabetes.
Cheap Heart Health Cure #1: Psyllium Husk.
Psyllium husk is a soluble fiber. It is also a complex carbohydrate. All this means is that the human body can not digest it so that once you eat it, it will be fermented in the large intestime and will yeild a wide range of heart-healthy benefits. meaning it is an indigestible, complex carbohydrate. Among the benefits are appetite control, and control of your blood sugar and your body’s insulin production.
Studies have shown that for each ten grams per day of fiber in your diet will give you approximately a 15 percent decrease in the risk of a heart attack. This proactive treatment also gives about a 25 percent decrease in death from heart disease.
Psyllium husk is also a great supplement because of its ability to help control blood sugars. Excess sugar in the blood stream can cause heart disease because it becomes “oxidized.” This oxidation leads to a change in the molecular structure of sugars – causing what is known as advanced glycation end products or AGE-products. Like a knife carving clay, AGE products scar arterial walls. The scarring results in plague buildup and excess blood clotting. This mechanism is why diabetics have a 4.5 times increase of suffering from heart attack and stroke relative to non-diabetics.
Psyllium can be purchased for about $3 per month and the benefits it will give your body…? Priceless!
Cheap Heart Health Cure #2: B Vitamins.
B vitamins are absolutely imperative for proper brain and nervous system functions. The human body can not even replicate blood cells without B vitamins.
B vitamins are also involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body, especially for proper DNA synthesis and regulation, but also for fatty acid synthesis and energy production. Harvard researchers writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that women could cut their risk of heart disease by half with daily consumption of B vitamins.
The process of methylation, which rids the body of harmful homocysteine, is started by B vitamins. Without them this process can not occur and as the levels of homocysteine rises in the arteries the greater your chance of suffering from cardiovascular disease.
A daily B vitamin supplement should cost no more than $10 per month. The results? Priceless!
Cheap Heart Health Cure #1: Flavonoids.
Flavonoids are plant derived pigments. Over 4,000 have been studied for their cardiovascular and anti-cancer benefits. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recommends consuming at least 7.5 mg a day. This will help to decrease your chance of dying from heart disease by as much as 20 percent.
Flavonoids preserve the cardiovascular system and heart by improving blood flow. This in turn enhance oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout your entire body,and prevents the formation of artery-scarring, oxidized LDL. It also relaxes the coronary arteries to prevent high blood pressure.
Foods that are the best sources of flavonoids are broccoli, hawthorn, grapeseed extract, black tea, citrus fruits, and organic dark chocolate.
Using these three cardiovascular cures to preserve health rather than drugs is a wise investment. It could potentially save you thousands in drug costs.
Caffeinated Content
Good heart health does not have to be expensive. Mother Nature provides three cardiovascular cures/helpers which are surprisingly low in cost. Together all three can help you build up a weak heart and are guaranteed to provide additional benefits in preventing type II diabetes.
Cheap Heart Health Cure #1: Psyllium Husk.
Psyllium husk is a soluble fiber. It is also a complex carbohydrate. All this means is that the human body can not digest it so that once you eat it, it will be fermented in the large intestime and will yeild a wide range of heart-healthy benefits. meaning it is an indigestible, complex carbohydrate. Among the benefits are appetite control, and control of your blood sugar and your body’s insulin production.
Studies have shown that for each ten grams per day of fiber in your diet will give you approximately a 15 percent decrease in the risk of a heart attack. This proactive treatment also gives about a 25 percent decrease in death from heart disease.
Psyllium husk is also a great supplement because of its ability to help control blood sugars. Excess sugar in the blood stream can cause heart disease because it becomes “oxidized.” This oxidation leads to a change in the molecular structure of sugars – causing what is known as advanced glycation end products or AGE-products. Like a knife carving clay, AGE products scar arterial walls. The scarring results in plague buildup and excess blood clotting. This mechanism is why diabetics have a 4.5 times increase of suffering from heart attack and stroke relative to non-diabetics.
Psyllium can be purchased for about $3 per month and the benefits it will give your body…? Priceless!
Cheap Heart Health Cure #2: B Vitamins.
B vitamins are absolutely imperative for proper brain and nervous system functions. The human body can not even replicate blood cells without B vitamins.
B vitamins are also involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body, especially for proper DNA synthesis and regulation, but also for fatty acid synthesis and energy production. Harvard researchers writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that women could cut their risk of heart disease by half with daily consumption of B vitamins.
The process of methylation, which rids the body of harmful homocysteine, is started by B vitamins. Without them this process can not occur and as the levels of homocysteine rises in the arteries the greater your chance of suffering from cardiovascular disease.
A daily B vitamin supplement should cost no more than $10 per month. The results? Priceless!
Cheap Heart Health Cure #1: Flavonoids.
Flavonoids are plant derived pigments. Over 4,000 have been studied for their cardiovascular and anti-cancer benefits. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recommends consuming at least 7.5 mg a day. This will help to decrease your chance of dying from heart disease by as much as 20 percent.
Flavonoids preserve the cardiovascular system and heart by improving blood flow. This in turn enhance oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout your entire body,and prevents the formation of artery-scarring, oxidized LDL. It also relaxes the coronary arteries to prevent high blood pressure.
Foods that are the best sources of flavonoids are broccoli, hawthorn, grapeseed extract, black tea, citrus fruits, and organic dark chocolate.
Using these three cardiovascular cures to preserve health rather than drugs is a wise investment. It could potentially save you thousands in drug costs.
Caffeinated Content