Posts tagged: Bad Cholesterol

Cholesterol Levels – The Good, The Bad, and Management Of

What is cholesterol, and is it all bad? What’s the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol? What are the healthy or normal cholesterol levels you should strive for?
In this article, I’ll explain what happens when your cholesterol levels aren’t normal, as well as some of the ways to manage them, so that you can be better educated and proactive where your health is concerned, and maybe even extend your life.
First of all, cholesterol is a waxy substance found in cells in all parts of the body. And no, it is not all bad. In fact, cholesterol is necessary for building and regenerating cells. It also insulates nerves and produces hormones in the body. The key is maintaining normal levels.
Where does cholesterol come from? About 75% of the cholesterol in our bodies is manufactured in the liver, and the other 25% comes from food, mostly meat and dairy products. If your liver produces too much cholesterol, that is when the levels become abnormal or unhealthy, and a method for bringing them back in balance becomes a necessity in order to preserve cardiovascular health.
This is especially important in people with diabetes, or metabolic syndrome (sometimes referred to as pre-diabetes.) Unhealthy cholesterol levels, when combined with weight gain and increased blood pressure, can lead to all kinds of health challenges.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
Notice the plural, because it is not only total cholesterol or just the bad cholesterol number that is important. Complete cholesterol care implies being aware of all the numbers.
So what are the numbers you should know that make up the complete cholesterol picture?
First is the LDL or bad cholesterol. This is the component that when it becomes elevated, causes buildup on the walls of the arteries. As this buildup hardens, it becomes plaque, which increases your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Science is proving that this buildup starts to develop in late teens and early twenties, and continues progressively as we age.
Of course as this buildup continues, it starts to narrow the opening in the arteries, restricting blood flow and raising blood pressure. Left unchecked, it can continue until it ruptures which causes a clot to form, totally cutting off the flow of blood.
If this clot is in the area leading to the heart, it is a heart attack. If it is in the arteries leading to the brain, that is a stroke. Both are considered cardiovascular disease.
LDL levels of greater than 190 are considered dangerous. 160 to 189 is considered poor, 130 to 159 is fair, and readings less than 129 are considered healthy. Some doctors are suggesting levels be below 100, and recent research is showing that if we can reduce our LDL to less than 70, we can actually start to reverse the plaque buildup.
The next number to be aware of is HDL, or the good cholesterol, which reduces your risk of CVD. In fact, your HDL number is becoming much more important because research has shown that for every 1% you reduce your LDL or bad cholesterol, you get about a 2% reduction in cardiovascular risk. But for every 1% you increase your HDL, you get a 3% reduction in risk. What should your HDL be? Healthy levels for men are above 40, and for women, it should be above 50.
Total Cholesterol or TC is the addition of your LDL, HDL and a component known as VLDL. Healthy levels are anything under 200. Another important number to be aware of is your cardiovascular risk ratio. This number is determined by dividing Total Cholesterol by HDL. This number should be below 5, with the optimal amount of 3.5 or lower.
Where do triglycerides come from? Fats consumed in our diet, or made in the body from carbohydrates, cause triglycerides in the blood. Some calories are converted to triglycerides and move into the fat cells for storage. So how do those numbers stack up?
Triglyceride levels of less than 150 are considered acceptable. Levels from 150 to 199 indicate moderate risk, 200 to 499 indicate high risk, and levels in excess of 500 indicate extreme high risk.
If it’s confusing to remember what’s good and what’s not, an easy way to remember the different parts of the total picture is “L” stands for “lethal” LDL, “H” stands for “healthy” HDL, and “T” stands for “treacherous” triglycerides.
METHODS FOR DEALING WITH UNHEALTHY CHOLESTEROL
There are different methods a person can use for improving one’s cholesterol levels. The most widely known is through the use of special cholesterol lowering prescription drugs called “statins”. Statins such as Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, and others represent nationally a 25 Billion Dollar per year treatment option. They have proved themselves effective at lowering the LDL segment of the cholesterol picture, however they do very little to reduce triglycerides or raise the HDL.
Besides, statins sometime carry very significant side effects, and therefore some people can’t take them. What are some of these documented side effects?
The Statin Effects Study concluded that the top two are possible liver and muscle damage. However, there are also lesser known effects such as sudden memory loss, increase in eye cataract risk, suppresses the body’s natural immune function, increased cancer risk, kidney and nerve damage, depletes CoQ10 levels (necessary for healthy heart function), sleep disturbance, blood sugar or blood pressure changes, and sexual dysfunction.
According to the drug manufacturers, only an insignificant number of patients are affected by these side effects. But if you’re one of them, is it “insignificant” for you? What you will hear more and more from the drug companies, is that they also will admit that just lowering the LDL is not enough.
Combination therapy will become the new buzz word. It means adding additional drugs to raise the good cholesterol, or lower triglycerides or blood sugar. Of course, it’s highly likely that these additional drug additives will have their own set of additional side effects.
In fact, reports on the recent results of a clinical study by one of the leading pharmaceutical company’s combinations to try to raise the HDL led to “pulling the plug” on the whole experiment. Why, you ask? According to the report, an “unacceptable number of people died” while taking the combination therapy. Makes me wonder what number of people would be “acceptable”.
Do we see increased costs and co-pays in our futures? I believe you can bank on it. Some people feel, and I’m one of them, that even the cheapest co-pay is more than they’re willing to risk their quality of life for.
So are there other, safer alternatives for you? The answer is yes. In fact, according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines for healthcare providers, statin drugs should not be the first treatment option offered. According to these guidelines, Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) should be used as a first approach.
What are some of the features of TLC? Increase of soluble fiber, regular exercise, and weight reduction are the main ones. When it comes to diet, watch your fat intake, and eat more fruits and vegetables.
In addition to soluble fiber, other methods that can control cholesterol levels are the use of plant sterols or stanols, and a natural component called policosanol, from sugar cane, which blocks the enzyme in the liver that produces cholesterol. Statins block the same enzyme; however, the difference is that the policosanol does not damage the liver. Also ancient Chinese medicine has used a particular extract from the chrysanthemum plant to help in the breakdown of cholesterol.
If you’re concerned about safety and effectiveness, choose a natural solution with solid clinical evidence, that incorporates multiple methods, and raises HDL in addition to lowering LDL.
Be proactive in your own health, be educated on your cholesterol situation, make the right lifestyle choices, and you’ll improve your chances of living longer.
Additional information on lowering cholesterol can be found in “Your Guide to Lowering Cholesterol with TLC” by the US Nat’l Institutes of Health. NIH Publication 06-5235

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categories Policosanol | policosanol | datetime December 2, 2009 6:05 am | comments Comments (0)

Managing Your Cholesterol Naturally

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Darrell Miller asked:


Because of organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA), we’ve learned a lot about cholesterol and how it affects our health. Thanks to these educational organizations, we know that high cholesterol levels can increase our risk for heart attacks and strokes and, by lowering these levels; we reduce these risks as well as keep our hearts and blood vessels healthy. We also know that our cholesterol levels can be improved through exercise, diet, and weight loss.

Although we’ve learned a lot through these educational organizations, there are still a few misconceptions about cholesterol. One of these being that not all cholesterol is harmful. There are both “good” and “bad” forms of cholesterol and a good balance between the two is what is needed for a healthy heart. Because so much emphasis is placed on lowering “bad” cholesterol levels, not enough attention is paid to the benefit of raising “good” cholesterol levels (HDL). Research states that raising HDL levels can provide even greater protection against cardiovascular disease than just simply lowering “bad” cholesterol levels. By raising HDL levels by simply 1%, the risk of heart disease can be lowered by 2% in men and 3% in women. Many studies have shown that low HDL cholesterol levels are an independent risk factor in heart disease. This is extremely important because we’ve learned that despite efforts to change a person’s diet and exercise habits, some people’s cholesterol levels are still unhealthy.

Prescription drugs to lower cholesterol are now available and have been proven by multiple studies to be very successful. The statins’ effectiveness in reducing LDL (”bad”) cholesterol has produced highly significant reductions in heart attacks and strokes. Although these medications do lower cholesterol levels, their side effects must be considered. Statin drugs can cause liver irritation, reduce CoQ10 levels in the body, are associated with myopathy, and are even linked to a rare and sometimes fatal condition called rhabdomyolysis. These drugs also have a relatively small effect on good (HDL) cholesterol levels. Thankfully, there are safe and effective solutions available that can help you manage your cholesterol levels naturally. However, first we must review what we know about cholesterol and heart disease.

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance needed to help digest fats, strengthen cell membranes, make hormones and insulate nerves. Although it is found in every cell of the body, cholesterol is mainly made in the liver, as well as cells lining the small intestine. Even though our bodies make all the cholesterol we need, we also get cholesterol from the foods we eat, such as egg yolks and organ meats. All foods from animal sources contain cholesterol, while plant derived food, including peanut butter and avocado, contains no cholesterol at all.

Cholesterol is important to many functions of the body. However, too much cholesterol in the bloodstream is extremely dangerous. After blood cholesterol reaches high levels, it builds up on the artery walls, and thus increasing the risk for blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. If the cholesterol clogs any of the coronary arteries, the heart’s supply of oxygen and nutrients will diminish, resulting in coronary heart disease, angina, or even heart attack.

Because cholesterol and other fats can’t dissolve in the blood and thereby can’t travel on their own, they have to be transported to and from the cells by lipoproteins. The two major lipoproteins are low density lipoproteins (LDL or “bad cholesterol) and high density lipoproteins (HDL or “good cholesterol”) LDLs carry cholesterol throughout the body to the cells and cause artherosclerosis by clogging up our arteries with fat. On the other hand, HDL prevents the fat buildup by carrying it away from the arteries and to the liver where it can be eliminated. Although high levels of LDL are associated with cardiovascular disease, high HDL can drastically reduce your risk of heart disease. As a result, the AHA has established three guidelines to keep your heart healthy: HDL levels about 40 for men and above 50 for women, LDL levels between 100 and 159, and a total cholesterol (HDL and LDL) of under 200.

Triglycerides are fats used as fuel by the body and a source for metabolism. These levels can fluctuate easily but increased levels are almost always a sign of too much carbohydrate and sugar intake. High amounts of triglycerides make the blood less capable of transporting oxygen and are another factor for cardiovascular disease. Thankfully, the HDL and LDL blend mentioned earlier can safely and effectively lower triglyceride levels.

It has been shown that high levels of HDL cholesterol are inversely related to coronary artery disease risk. However, what people do not know is that there are different subtypes of HDl, including HDL-2 and HDL-3. HDL-3 is produced by the liver and intestines and is responsible for scooping up free cholesterol from the blood vessel walls. The cholesterol carried by HDL-3 is chemically modified, forming a larger-sized subtype, known as HDL-2, or “mature HDL.” HDL-2 transports cholesterol to the liver for processing and elimination, and its molecules are then recirculated in the blood stream. Research has shown that HDL-2 provides more heart-protection because it moves the cholesterol away from arterial walls, and holds a greater number of receptor sites which allows it to carry a larger amount of cholesterol to the liver.

Although many prescription medications have been developed to lower bad cholesterol, there are very few medications that target good cholesterol. Therefore, patients with naturally low HDL cholesterol, who can not alter these levels through diet and exercise, have limited medical options to reduce their risk of heart disease. Multiple nutrients have been clinically shown to favorably alter good cholesterol levels including: vitamins C, E, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, magnesium and selenium, with protein-building amino acids, powerful antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, N-acetyle cysteine, and policosanol, and extracts of hawthorn, garlic, grape seed, and soy isoflavones. Although this HDL-boosting combination does not result in a significant reduction in LDL, antioxidants found in this formulation can help stabilize LDL and prevent build up in the arterial wall.

This formula combines essential vitamins and minerals, at levels recommended by the American Heart Association. It contains amino acids, antioxidants, and botanicals that have all been used safely for years. No serious adverse effects have been found following supplementation and the combination is safe to use with statin drugs.

Plant sterols, found in nuts, vegetable oils, corn, and rice are structurally similar to cholesterol and are able to block its absorption. Each day the liver receives about 800 mg of cholesterol from intestinal absorption through receptor sites. After entering these channels, the cholesterol is absorbed into the bloodstream. Since plant sterols look similar to cholesterol, they fit perfectly into these receptor sites and block the absorption, which allows the cholesterol to remain in our intestines where it can eventually be excreted. A large amount of plant sterols reduces the amount of cholesterol transported from the intestinal tract to the liver. This cholesterol reduction causes a decrease in LDL levels.

Even if a person does not have high cholesterol levels, reducing bad and raising good cholesterol greatly reduces their risk for ever developing chronic heart disease. Due to side effects, physicians do not normally prescribe statin drugs to people without actual heart disease of high LDL cholesterol levels. Instead, they recommend dietary changes. The HDL-boosting combination and LDL-lowering pantethine and plant sterols blend can effectively help people with heart disease, uncontrolled cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, or people who just want to improve their heart health.



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categories Advertising | policosanol | datetime March 23, 2009 6:08 am | comments Comments (0)

Discount Vitamins Help To Lower Cholesterol

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Freelance Writer asked:


Doctors rarely suggest discount vitamins and herbal supplements as an option to lower cholesterol levels. Many within the medical community are sometimes too quick to prescribe expensive prescription medication for people having problems lowering their cholesterol through diet and exercise alone. These medications typically come with many troublesome side effects such as muscular and neurological problems, memory loss, personality changes like increased irritability and mood swings, fatigue, sleep problems and even erectile dysfunction. They are also damaging to your liver.

There are many natural ways to reduce elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – the “bad” cholesterol or increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) – the “good” cholesterol. In this article we will examine some of these natural remedies and their effectiveness. We will also warn you of any associated side effects or interactions.

Niacin can be found in many B-complex discount vitamins and supplements. Food sources of niacin include: lean meats, poultry and fish, peanuts, dairy products and rice bran. Studies have strongly suggested that niacin has a modest effect on lowering cholesterol while also raising the good cholesterol, preventing heart disease and increasing longevity. Niacin can be used for patients that are unwilling or simply can’t take prescription statins to lower cholesterol. It’s strongly suggested that you consult with your physician first before increasing your intake of niacin. Your physician needs to monitor your liver functioning and blood sugar levels if you are taking high doses of niacin. It’s suggested that niacin be taken with food to avoid an upset stomach. Aspirin or ibuprofen can be used thirty minutes before taking niacin to reduce the potential for facial flushing and itchiness.

Combinations of grape seed extract and chromium have also been shown to lower cholesterol. Grape seed extract is a very potent antioxidant that has been used to treat deteriorating diseases. Studies have indicated that grape seed extract may help prevent cholesterol oxidation and the related cardiovascular conditions, particularly in smokers. Grape seed extract helps Vitamin C enter our cells resulting in strengthened cell membranes, which protect the cells from oxidative damage and blocks the deterioration of blood vessels.

Chromium is most often used linked to diabetes control due to its function in maintaining blood sugar levels but chromium has been proven to help lower total cholesterol levels and increase our HDL good cholesterol. Most of us do not suffer from a chromium deficiency but excess chromium is excreted and can’t become toxic. There should be little harm in taking a high dose of chromium and its cholesterol lowering qualities are enhanced when combined with grape seed extract.

We should all know by now the cholesterol lowering hype around fiber. We are reminded every morning when we reach for our cereal box or oatmeal and read the bold print telling us that we are lowering our cholesterol! And it’s not just cereal. Diets rich in beans, peas, rice bran, barley, oat bran, whole grains, citrus fruits and apple pulp can help lower cholesterol levels, especially when additionally cutting back on animal products and fats. You can also reach for your discount vitamins and supplements since studies strongly suggest soluble fiber supplements can significantly reduce your bad cholesterol if your diet is lacking the right fiber intake. Common types of fiber that you may read about are cellulose, lignin, pectin, gum and mucilage. The lipid-lowering effect of water-soluble fiber is related to the dose. When an adequate amount of water-soluble fiber is consumed daily, a 10 to 20 percent reduction in cholesterol should be expected.

At least 1 tablespoon of psyllium daily can lower resistant blood cholesterol levels due to its soluble fiber component. Psyllium can be found in products like Metamucil but you will have to adapt to its laxative effect. It is also recommended that you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration since psyllium absorbs large amounts of fluid.

Garlic’s cholesterol lowering abilities have been well documented. There have been recent reports indicating that garlic’s ability to lower cholesterol is modest at best but the same reports still suggest that garlic is undoubtedly good for us. It’s just that large consumption or doses, somewhere around 900mg -1200mg daily, seem to have the greatest impact on lowering cholesterol levels. Studies have suggested that daily consumption of garlic might reduce the risk of certain digestive and prostate cancers and might reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels. A study where 900mg of garlic was taken daily, for a period of three months, found that the LDL lowered by at least 14 percent in most men participating. Of course, be aware that garlic, even in supplement form, may cause bad breath, body odor, heartburn, gas, nausea or diarrhea.

Artichoke extract may also reduce total cholesterol. Artichokes are generally viewed as being unhealthy due to their high fat content but 1800mg to 1920mg a day, divided into two to three doses, should help reduce your bad cholesterol by as much as 20%.

At least 4 grams a day of Flaxseed and Omega 3 Fish Oil can lower cholesterol, help prevent the blood clots that evolve into heart attacks and lessen the risk of dangerous irregular heartbeats that are often linked to sudden cardiac arrest deaths.

Hawthorn berries are most commonly used to lower blood pressure but researchers believe that hawthorn works to help the heart in many ways, like dilating the coronary arteries and improving blood supply, which will also help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Hawthorn, juniper berries and rose hips are examples of herbs that contain anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are effective in inhibiting LDL cholesterol oxidation and platelet aggregation so these herbs should provide protection against heart disease.

Ginkgo Biloba is recognized for aiding memory but it also inhibits the development of atherosclerosis. Studies have indicated that Ginkgo can decrease LDL disturbances, inhibit plaque formation and increase HDL cholesterol.

There has been much emphasis in recent years on the role of green tea in maintaining good health. Added to its countless antioxidant benefits is the fact that green tea has been proven to mildly lower cholesterol levels by protecting against the damage to LDL cholesterol that eventually leads to hardening of the arteries.

Other antioxidants that have shown some results in lowering cholesterol and improving overall heart health are Vitamin E, Vitamin C, selenium, acetyl-cysteine, coenzyme Q10, carotenes and catechins. You may also find that discount vitamins like magnesium, vitamin B6, copper and l-carnitine are beneficial in lowering LDL and raising HDL. Drinking herbal teas like cayenne, chicory root, dandelion, fenugreek, red clover, skullcap, tumeric and ginger are also helpful. There are even FDA approved margarines, like Benecol, containing Sitostanol, available on the market now. The makers of Benecol state that 4 ½ teaspoons of the margarine each day may reduce total cholesterol.

As you can see there are many discount vitamins and dietary supplements with a proven history of lowering cholesterol. You don’t have to look very far for an alternative to prescription medication. Consult your physician to determine if any of these natural remedies could be combined with regular exercise and stress management to optimize your health.



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categories Medicine | policosanol | datetime February 12, 2009 3:17 pm | comments Comments (0)

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