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Article by Karl Loren

Cholesterol is one of the most important substances in your body. The walls of cells are manufactured out of cholesterol. The cells are designed so that they can convert protein, amino acids, fat, fatty acids, carbohydrates and sugars — all forms of food — into cholesterol.

I have already covered this subject, from a different viewpoint, earlier.

For instance, the manufacture of muscle requires proteins in the blood stream. Cells can make cholesterol out of proteins.Carbohydrates and fats each have specific functions in the body, but, again, the cell can use either of them to manufacture cholesterol.

Cholesterol is so important to the health of a cell that the cell can produce cholesterol out of just about anything that comes along.

Why is cholesterol so important? Well, it is just the entire membrane of the cell — the wall which keeps the fluids inside the cell remaining inside, and keeps the outside fluids outside.

Yes, it is cholesterol which is the primary component of the walls of the cells.

When the cell is under attack of any kind, its primary defense mechanism is to thicken the walls of the cell. In order to do that it needs more cholesterol.

When the water pressure outside the cells is reduced (because of a shortage of water) there is an increased tendency for water to leak out of the cells into the outside area. The cell considers this a threat to its health and increases the thickness of the cell walls, with cholesterol, to keep the inside fluids from leaking out.

So, a very natural thing for the body to do when there is a shortage of water is to manufacture more cholesterol in the cells. Some of that newly-created cholesterol can certainly escape from the cell into the blood stream. THERE is where it becomes HIGH CHOLESTEROL. The fact that there is increased cholesterol in the thickening of the cell walls is not part of high cholesterol, but the increased and deliberate production of cholesterol by the cells certainly puts some excess cholesterol into the blood stream where the eager cardiologist can claim that you need to take a drug to lower your cholesterol.

The water needs of the body will be increased by these cholesterol-lowering drugs. But, if you are still not taking more water, what is the poor cell to do but manufacture more cholesterol, thicken the cell walls and try to protect the cell from losing too much water! Maybe the drug will suppress the escape of this cholesterol into the blood stream, but just remember that the production of increased cholesterol, in the first place, is just the body

Article by Teresa Faulkner

Cholesterol has an important role in your body. Building cell membranes and sex hormones are the vital function of cholesterol in the body. It is also crucial in bile production which helps break down fatty substances so that we can absorb it. Cholesterol is not directly absorbed in our blood. Lipoproteins are needed so that cholesterol will be passed to and from the cells. Cholesterol also helps the hormones that are involved in stress reduction.

Our body produces the cholesterol that we needed. Unfortunately, there are many sources of cholesterol that make the cholesterol level increase. It can be found in foods that we eat most, especially those containing high amount of fat. Having a high fat diet will cause serious problems with your health.

You should be aware of the various terminology that is related to lowering cholesterol like LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) and HDL (High Density Lipoprotein). LDL is the bad cholesterol that causes plaque formation which clogs the arteries. Always keep in mind that this type of cholesterol should be in very low level to avoid developing heart disease or other disorders like diabetes. HDL is the good cholesterol. It should be increased so that bad cholesterol will be removed through the circulatory system to have a lower cholesterol level.

Various heart diseases are possible if your cholesterol level continuously increases. Coronary diseases are caused by high levels of bad cholesterol. Cholesterol deposits are the main cause of improper blood circulation to the heart because it constricts the blood vessels and cause difficult with the narrow a passage of blood. This condition, if not treated, will lead to having a heart attack. According to research statistics, heart disease is the number one cause of death of people in the United States and African-American citizens.

Many people do not know that they have high levels of cholesterol because it is asymptomatic. Learning lower cholesterol information is not difficult and every person should have knowledge of the topic. First and foremost, you should contact your health care provider so that they can check the cholesterol level. Then additional screening will be done. Prompt intervention will be conducted so that your condition will be treated.

Fatal diseases will be avoided because high level of cholesterol can be reversed through proper diet and constant exercise. There are many approaches that can be taken to lower your cholesterol level but most of it require self-discipline and determination.

Watch your intake of foods like meats and dairy products which are high sources of saturated fat. As much as possible, you should stop or limit drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking. Begin exercising everyday starting from the very simple ones like walking or jogging. Take soluble fiber supplements like vitamin B and C, green barley, calcium, garlic and lecithin to aid in lowering cholesterol levels.

The cholesterol information given will serve as a guide for you to reach your goal of being healthy again. Try finding more information so that you will have a broad knowledge about this topic. Be firm and follow all helpful tips so that you will have a healthy life.

About the Author

I am a researcher into cholesterol, and the ways that someone can lower their cholesterol in natural ways. My website shares ways that people can lower their cholesterol simply and safely.

Want to learn more about lowering cholesterol? Visit my website at ==> www.tipsforlowercholesterol.com.

Article by Paul L Richards

Before I start getting to deep into all of the lower cholesterol information let me first give you a basic description of what exactly is cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy fatty lipid found in the cells and tissues of our bodies. It not only comes from some of the foods that we eat but it also is manufactured by the liver and is needed as a natural function of the human body. Our bodies require a certain amount of fat and cholesterol is part of that requirement in order for us to exist.

Most people, including myself at on point in time, believed that all cholesterol was bad, but now after years of research it has been found that that is not completely true. In fact there are two types of cholesterol. One type is called LDL which is referred to as the bad cholesterol. The other is HDL which is the good cholesterol.

Let’s first take a closer look at LDL or bad cholesterol. LDL can cause us problems because it tends to build up on the artery walls and over time this plaque build-up blocks blood flow. This plaque build-up reduces blood circulation which raises blood pressure, and eventually leads to heart disease or even worse a heart attack.

On the other hand, HDL or good cholesterol helps to reduce plaque by returning excess LDL to the liver and aids in its excretion. So now that you have a better understanding of what cholesterol is and how it affects you, let’s look at specific lower cholesterol information on how to lower the bad LDL and raise the good HDL.

As I mentioned earlier cholesterol comes from two sources. Your body produces it naturally and from the foods that we eat. Unfortunately for some of us our body because of our genetics tends to produce an excess of LDL cholesterol but don’t worry because there are ways to lower your bad cholesterol naturally and safely.

For most of us when we found out that we had high cholesterol our doctor wanted us to start taking a prescription drug. I don’t like and do not take prescription drugs because of the many dangerous side effects. Now don’t misunderstand what I am trying to say because prescription drugs for lowering cholesterol do work. I personally don’t like taking them but if you do then that is okay.

Fortunately there are natural and safe alternatives to prescription drugs that can lower your bad cholesterol and raise the good. The very first thing you need to be aware of is your diet. Certain foods, that are high in saturated fat such as red meat and whole-fat dairy products all contain bad cholesterol. You should try to limit your intake of these foods and instead eat foods that include vegetables, whole grains and fruits. Also to increase your HDL or good cholesterol you can eat foods that are rich in essential good fats like certain fish and walnuts.

Another step to reversing the effects of high cholesterol is cardiovascular exercise but before you get started you should first consult with a physician. To start you might want to do something that is low impact such as walking, weight lifting or stretching. Exercise of course is very beneficial but doesn

Article by Jhon Napier

High cholesterol is invisible dangers which can cause severe damage to human body and to measure high cholesterol doctors examine the level of HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels in body. The bad cholesterol or the LDL cholesterol accumulates in the inner walls of arteries and it can block the passage whereas the HDL cholesterol is helpful in preventing blockages.

Cholesterol level determination

To test cholesterol the lipid level is examined in which the total cholesterol is measure in milligrams per deciliter. The LDL cholesterol should not exceed 100 mg per deciliter and triglycerides should be less than 150 mg per deciliter. The cholesterol level is mostly determined by the diet and the living style. Cholesterol is a kind of wax like substance found in most of the food products. Food products such as dairy product, meat, fish, and poultry contain a good amount of dietary cholesterol. Fish has less cholesterol and food products made from certain plants grains, nuts and seeds have almost no cholesterol.

Cholesterol is not fat but it can be found in high quantity in food products which are high in fat. Some of the highest amount of cholesterol is found in egg yolk and organ meat and in the human body pancreas function is to produce cholesterol, therefore, cholesterol from diet is not required.

Truths and Myths of low cholesterol diet

1. One can opt to eat low cholesterol diet in which vegetarian food and Mediterranean diet is included. The diet should include a good amount of fruits, grains and vegetables and a low amount of non vegetarian food such as red meat, fish and grains should be taken. The intake of wine should be reduced.

2. To reduce intake of cholesterol use unsaturated fat instead of saturated fat. One can take saturated fats which is found in cooking oil extracted from sunflower, cotton seeds, soybeans, corn but if the oil comes with a label called Hydrogenated, one should avoid it because it means the poly-saturated fat has been converted to saturated fat and it will not be helpful in reducing cholesterol instead it can be very harmful. The vegetable oils undergo the process of hydrogenation which makes it solid. Tans fat found in such oil can cause narrowing of arteries and heart disease.

3. Fish products are high in mega 3 fatty acids and it is said to be helpful in reducing the bad cholesterol but long term ingestion of fish should be taken only on advice of a physician.

4. Taking food products high in mono saturated fats is also helpful. Olive oil and canola oil are rich in mono-saturated fats and it helps in reducing blood cholesterol.

5. One should reduce intake of dietary fat both saturated and unsaturated to reduce cholesterol levels.

6. People who are overweight should reduce weight to reduce cholesterol because when the total amount of fat is reduced the total amount of saturated fat reduces. A very high amount of saturated fat is present in food products such as whole milk, ice cream, cheese, butter etc.

About the Author

Read about Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure. Also know about High Blood Pressure Herbal Treatment. Read about Home Remedies for Cold Sores.

Article by Darran Butler

When it comes to your health and nutrition, most people will avoid the bad cholesterol foods list. This is because most people with high cholesterol will admit to eating a lot of these types of foods and, in order to become healthier, you will have to avoid foods on this list. Often times people already know that fruits, vegetables and lean proteins are great ways to lower cholesterol, but not too many people know what kinds are on the bad cholesterol foods list. Here is a short yet precise list of the foods that you should avoid when trying to lower your cholesterol.

Being able to know where cholesterol comes from is a great place to start to lower your cholesterol. After all, if you know something is bad for you, you will most likely avoid those foods so that you will be able to live longer and healthier. There are certain foods that raise your good cholesterol (HDL). The foods you should avoid cause your body to increase the bad cholesterol (LDL).

Natural Forms Of Cholesterol

Cholesterol will only come from animals and this is why fruits and vegetables do not have cholesterol. Some foods that are on the naturally bad cholesterol foods list are most of the dairy products that you consume everyday. Butter and cream are also natural sources of cholesterol and you should avoid these all together. As one of the most popular desserts in the world, ice cream is unfortunately on the list as well and can cause a person to have high cholesterol when eaten on a consistent basis. Though duck and goose are good protein sources, they will have more cholesterol compared to chicken or fish.

It’s not just the cholesterol

Though eating foods high in cholesterol will obviously raise cholesterol levels, it is also a high consumption of fat that leads to people developing high cholesterol. The two types of fats that will raise your cholesterol levels are saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats are usually found in beef, veal and in most processed meats. Egg yolks also have a lot of cholesterol.

Trans fats are much worse and should be avoided all together. The foods that have trans fat are also known as junk food and this includes baked goods, cookies, chips and any food that is fried. Trans fats are the worst and will definitely cause health problems in the future.

Though many people know that junk food is bad, a lot of people do not understand the actual health risks. Having high cholesterol levels can clog your arteries and will lead to heart problems. Take your time with the change and continually make changes in your diet. Slowly but surely remove all the bad cholesterol foods from your diet and you will be able to see and feel all the changes. With just a little patience and motivation you will be able to avoid the bad cholesterol foods list and you will then focus on all the healthy foods.

About the Author

Darran Butler is a heart health and cholesterol wellness expert with a passion for showing others how to live healthy and passionate lives.  He has helped countless others achieve their health objectives and, specifically, teaching them about the bad cholesterol foods list.  For more information on Darran Butler and how he can help you, visit his site for a free report that will show you how to stay super heart healthy with ideal cholesterol at http://ImprovingHealthSecrets.com

Article by James Madisonic

Heart disease is a potential threat to millions of people worldwide. A killer disease like heart attack can strike anytime, and threaten people with improper diet, lifestyles and certain genetic preconditions. Coronary Heart Disease afflicts about 14 million Americans.

Cause Of Heart Disease

Heart disease is caused by a buildup of fat and tissue in the arteries, the vessels that carry blood from heart to various parts of the body. The arteries are clogged with the buildup that leads to improper blood flow. This causes heart disease since the heart cannot receive oxygen carried by blood. This type of hardening of arterial walls is known as arteriosclerosis.

Risk Factors

There are several risk factors for heart disease. They include cholesterol, tobacco, fat containing diet and sedentary lifestyle. Obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure can also cause heart disease. Heredity is another major predictor of heart disease. If you lead a stressful life, then chances of heart disease are also high.

Risk factors are classified into modifiable and non-modifiable depending on whether you can reduce the risk by controlling the risk factors. Heredity, age and gender are non-modifiable risk factors, while cholesterol, smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure are modifiable risk factors.

Are The Risk Factors Good Predictors Of Heart Disease?

Heart disease is caused by the interplay of various risk factors, including cholesterol. Cholesterol is one of the major predictors of heart disease. Heredity, as mentioned, is another; people whose family members have been afflicted by heart disease should go for regular screening.

Symptoms Of Heart Disease

Heart disease may be known, as a “silent killer” since the onset of the heart attack can often be fatal. However, there are certain symptoms you should watch out for.

1. Pain in the chest.2. Pain in upper abdomen.3. Panting after strenuous activity.4. Nausea and vomiting.5. Dizzy spells.

Timely medical attention can spell the difference between life and death.

Preventing Heart Disease

Preventing heart disease is easy and a few precautions can go a long way in reducing your chances of getting heart attack. Keeping bad cholesterol levels low is very important. Traditional risk factors can identify people most at risk, so it is important to consult a medical practitioner and be sure that risk is minimized.

Lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on occurrence of heart disease. If you do not lead an active life, chances of heart disease go up multiple times. Stress is another major cause of heart disease. In order to prevent heart disease, you need to be physically active and have a low calorie, high fiber diet. Smoking and too much alcohol can also make heart disease a difficult condition to treat.

Tests For Heart Disease

Your doctor may ask for tests to confirm heart disease if he suspects you fall in the high-risk category. The tell tale signs physicians look for in a routine check include irregular heartbeat and murmurs. Tests include coronary angiography, ECG or electrocardiogram and CT scan. Your medical practitioner will recommend the best test. A chest x ray might also be recommended.

Heart disease can be prevented through changes in lifestyle and by reducing mental stress. Proper diet, exercise and a stress free lifestyle go a long way in countering one of the leading killers of the modern age. Modern medicine has also found better ways to cure heart disease, even for those prone to it due to hereditary and other factors. If you have crossed the age of 30 and think you are in the moderate or high-risk category, you should visit your medical practitioner today and get a thorough check up done.

About the Author

Lipistat may help prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease. For more information on Lipistat visit out site at http://www.mymedicenter.com/lipistat/lipistat.html

Question by LunaSoleil: How many mg of cholesterol can you have per day if you have high cholesterol?
Some websites say 300 mg and some say 200 mg. Which one is correct?

This is for people with a high cholesterol level btw.

Best answer:

Answer by Tímea Timi
I checked too, and i read that if your cholesterol is 5,2 – 6,5 mmol/l then you can have 300 mg per day
If the cholesterol is 6,5 – 7,8 mmol/l then you can have 200mg per day.
if the cholesterol is up to 7,8 mmol/l then you can have 150 mg / day

I hope it helps!

Add your own answer in the comments!

Article by Lac Tran

High cholesterol levels are mainly caused by our bodies’ inability to deal with high-fat diets. Humans exercised regularly and consumed a low-fat diet for millennia. We now have easy access to fatty and high cholesterol foods, and often our lives are sedentary. The result – 1 in 3 people in the US have high cholesterol – is inevitable.

High cholesterol raises your chances of getting coronary heart disease. If you lower cholesterol, you lower the overall risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack.

If you have high cholesterol levels, cholesterol can be deposited in your coronary arteries as a plaque, where it constricts the flow of blood and contributes to coronary heart disease.

When you lower cholesterol, you can slow, stop, and reverse the buildup of plaque. When you lower cholesterol, you also reduce your risk of a heart attack. Even in people who have already suffered a heart attack, the chances of having future attacks can be substantially reduced if they lower cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance, a kind of lipid packaged inside a lipoprotein that your body needs to produce certain hormones, digestive bile, and vitamin D. A large amount of brain tissue is made up of cholesterol as it insulates the nerves. You need cholesterol to live.

There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL, or low density lipoprotein (also called “bad” cholesterol), and HDL, or high density lipoprotein (also called “good” cholesterol). If you want to lower cholesterol, you look at the total of LDL added to HDL, but you also look at individual levels of LDL and HDL. *You want to lower LDL and total cholesterol, and raise HDL.

Often people with high cholesterol also have high triglycerides, another type of lipid. Lifestyle changes that lower cholesterol, lower triglycerides as well, and all this together improves overall health.

To discover whether you need to lower cholesterol, you need a “fasting lipid profile,” or cholesterol test. Ask your physician for a test if you think you may have high cholesterol.

There are 10 good ways to lower cholesterol:

1. Reduce weight if you are overweight.

2. Eat six or more meals/snacks in small portions and well-spaced throughout the day.

3. Eat monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as canola and olive oils, nuts and seeds.

4. Eat legumes, low- or non-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other high-fiber foods.

5. Reduce saturated-fat foods such as meats, cheese, butter, baked goods, fried foods; high cholesterol foods such as butter, cheese, and meats; trans-fat foods such as processed foods with partially hydrogenated and hydrogenated oils.

6. Fast three hours before bedtime.

7. Drink lots of water.

8. Exercise daily to manage stress

9. Follow your doctor’s advice regarding medication.

10. Take supplements that lower cholesterol.

Heart disease kills more men and women in the U.S. than any other disease. Over one million Americans have heart attacks annually; half a million people die from heart disease.

The 1994 study, “Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study,” found that lowering cholesterol can prevent heart attacks and reduce death in men and women who already have heart disease and high cholesterol. High cholesterol is usually something we can change, and during the process of change we become healthier.

About the Author

Mitamins team vitamin support for High Cholesterol treatments Cholesterol Lower Cholesterol

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Here I am trying to debunk an old but sadly common myth. Cholesterol is not out there to kill you, saturated fats are not gonna elevate your cholesterol and they are actually healthy. Avoid stuff like margarine, and cooking with vegetable oils. Cook with Coconut oil or good quality butters. If you are on a cholesterol lowering drug, be careful, at least make sure you are taking CoQ10 as well. Cheers guys and please SUBSCRIBE!
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Question by Wondering: How to reduce your cholesterol, while on a low carb diet?
I am currently in a low carb diet but my cholesterol results where high, do I need to change anything in my diet? Or is there any suggestion on what I can eat to reduce my cholesterol.

Best answer:

Answer by jesse
not sure. I really would try and eat more grains and maybe try drinking some metamucil. I have noticed people with sluggish bowels tend to have problems with high cholesterol. also make sure you are drinking enough water to get rid of toxins in your body.

Can you please help me with question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091005141801AAg91mP

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!