Cholesterol Facts

Cholesterol Facts

With all the news and warnings about the dangers of high cholesterol, many people view cholesterol as a “bad” substance that should be eliminated completely from our lives. In truth, cholesterol serves some important functions in the body. In order to understand how cholesterol affects the body, one must first understand what cholesterol is.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is attached to the fats in our bloodstream and is present in all of the cells of the body. Cholesterol comes from food that we eat, as well as being manufactured directly by the liver. Cholesterol is an important regulator in the bloodstream, as it helps to regulate the formation of many cells as well as hormones. However, to have too high or too low of a cholesterol count in the blood can be a very dangerous factor, often leading to a heart attack or a stroke. Although cholesterol is prevalent in the blood stream, it cannot dissipate in the blood. The cholesterol maneuvers throughout the body attached to lipids (fats).There are two main types of cholesterol. The first type is called LDL cholesterol, and the other is HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol, otherwise known as low-density lipoprotein, is considered the “dangerous” cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up on the artery walls. Over time this plaque build-up blocks blood flow, reducing circulation and causing stress and damage to the heart. This raises blood pressure, and eventually leads to heart disease or a heart attack. Individuals that have higher levels of LDL run a much higher risk of having heart disease. Although LDL is affected by genetics, there are several precautions that individuals can take towards keeping safe LDL levels.

The other form of cholesterol is HDL, or high-density lipoprotein. HDL is considered the “good” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is important for the body to have as this type of cholesterol helps filter out LDL cholesterol from the lining of the arteries, as well as transporting fat in the bloodstream (triglycerides) to the liver so that it can be excreted from the body. It is believed that even having high levels of HDL is safe, as it can help protect one’s heart from a heart attack or stroke. Low counts of HDL could potentially lead to a heart attack and stroke, however this is rare for people eating a western-style diet, which is typically high in both forms of cholesterol.

Most of the cholesterol in our bodies comes from the foods we eat. Foods high in fats, particularly saturated and trans fats, contribute to high levels of LDL cholesterol. Meat and dairy products are the main sources of LDL cholesterol, while leafy vegetables, fruits, and nuts are more nutritious alternatives that have higher levels of HDL cholesterol. While genetics does play a role in cholesterol levels, a change in diet is the most effective way to lower dangerous cholesterol levels, and reduce your risk of heart disease and associated health problems.

Certain natural substances found in Vasacor, including plant sterols, fish oils, and policosanol have been shown in numerous clinical studies to be highly effective in promoting healthy cholesterol levels, particularly when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, now is the time to make a change, and Vasacor can help.

The Article is Originally Published Here: Cholesterol Facts

Cholesterol Facts – Cholesterol Reduction Treatment

With all the news and warnings about the dangers of high cholesterol, many people view cholesterol as a “bad” substance that should be eliminated completely from our lives. In truth, cholesterol serves some important functions in the body. In order to understand how cholesterol affects the body, one must first understand what cholesterol is.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is attached to the fats in our bloodstream and is present in all of the cells of the body. Cholesterol comes from food that we eat, as well as being manufactured directly by the liver. Cholesterol is an important regulator in the bloodstream, as it helps to regulate the formation of many cells as well as hormones. However, to have too high or too low of a cholesterol count in the blood can be a very dangerous factor, often leading to a heart attack or a stroke. Although cholesterol is prevalent in the blood stream, it cannot dissipate in the blood. The cholesterol maneuvers throughout the body attached to lipids (fats).There are two main types of cholesterol. The first type is called LDL cholesterol, and the other is HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol, otherwise known as low-density lipoprotein, is considered the “dangerous” cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up on the artery walls. Over time this plaque build-up blocks blood flow, reducing circulation and causing stress and damage to the heart. This raises blood pressure, and eventually leads to heart disease or a heart attack. Individuals that have higher levels of LDL run a much higher risk of having heart disease. Although LDL is affected by genetics, there are several precautions that individuals can take towards keeping safe LDL levels.

The other form of cholesterol is HDL, or high-density lipoprotein. HDL is considered the “good” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is important for the body to have as this type of cholesterol helps filter out LDL cholesterol from the lining of the arteries, as well as transporting fat in the bloodstream (triglycerides) to the liver so that it can be excreted from the body. It is believed that even having high levels of HDL is safe, as it can help protect one’s heart from a heart attack or stroke. Low counts of HDL could potentially lead to a heart attack and stroke, however this is rare for people eating a western-style diet, which is typically high in both forms of cholesterol.

Most of the cholesterol in our bodies comes from the foods we eat. Foods high in fats, particularly saturated and trans fats, contribute to high levels of LDL cholesterol. Meat and dairy products are the main sources of LDL cholesterol, while leafy vegetables, fruits, and nuts are more nutritious alternatives that have higher levels of HDL cholesterol. While genetics does play a role in cholesterol levels, a change in diet is the most effective way to lower dangerous cholesterol levels, and reduce your risk of heart disease and associated health problems.

Certain natural substances found in Vasacor, including plant sterols, fish oils, and policosanol have been shown in numerous clinical studies to be highly effective in promoting healthy cholesterol levels, particularly when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, now is the time to make a change, and Vasacor can help.

The Article is Originally Published Here: Cholesterol Facts

Learn More:Vasacor Cholesterol Treatment – Vasacor helps to reduce LDL (Bad Cholesterol) levels and improve HDL (Good Cholesterol) levels.Cholesterol Reduction – a Doctor’s Guide

Combining Efforts – the Way to Solve Cholesterol Problems

It is said that heart and blood vessel diseases are two of the most common disorders leading to death. At their turn, these diseases are caused by other conditions, among which hypercholesterolemia is the most frequent. If our bodies send us constant signals that a change in our life style must be made, and, moreover, if we are diagnosed with an abnormal level of cholesterol, we must take immediate measures in order to restore cholesterol within its regular parameters. To lower cholesterol is in such situations a necessity, an effort we must make with the purpose of avoiding the more complicated effects hypercholesterolemia may generate if left untreated.

To lower cholesterol naturally may prove to be one of the most inspired manners of dealing with cholesterol-linked problems. Fighting against cholesterol is a double process, that is, on one hand we must try to diminish the LDL – low density lipoproteins – level and to increase the HDL – high density lipoprotein – level. HDL is as good and necessary for organisms as much as LDL is damaging if exceeds its normal level. If it is our purpose to lower cholesterol naturally, we may notice that some of the ways to do that only regard the LDL problem, whereas others work on the HDL level as well, which means they have a conjoint effect on our organisms.

For instance, the first recommendation all specialists will make is to avoid fatty foods. They will not refer just at fatty meat or dairy, but also to pastry, yolk-based dishes and so on. But reducing or removing the intake of these nutriments will affect in no way HDL level, despite of the fact that changes with respect to LDL may be noticed.

But this is just a partial answer to our problems. Usually if we want to lower cholesterol naturally we have to combine this first demand with other methods. Exercising regularly, cutting of some of our more pernicious habits, such as smoking and drinking alcohol, are proven to increase our chances of succeeding in fighting cholesterol disorders.

But the most efficient way to lower cholesterol is to complete the regimen with the intake of nutrients that work both on LDL and HDL. Oat-based food, fish, fruits and vegetables, walnuts and many other types of nuts, garlic, green tea or guggul, as well as food fortified with plant sterols are popular for their genuine potency of solving cholesterol problems, due to some inhered elements, such as fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and sterols respectively.

All these natural compounds work either as inhibitors with respect to the absorption of LDL in intestines, or they simply improve the HDL level which, as a consequence, ultimately works on the “bad” cholesterol. In addition to these healthful nutrients, specialists have designed some supplements able to enhance our success in fighting cholesterol issues. Niacin, or, more precisely, inositol hexaniacinate and policosanol, combined with extracts from some other nutrients mentioned above constitute the basis of some wonderful products.