|
* heart disease claims about ½ million lives in America per year
* high cholesterol levels play a ignificant role in heart disease
* studies show if you lower cholesterol levels, the risk of heart disease is reduced by up-to 40%
What is Cholesterol?
Before we go into how to reduce your cholesterol, let's take a look at what exactly cholesterol is.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is produced by the liver and its job is to:-
* produce bile acids to help with the digestion of fat
* build and repair cells and
* produce estrogen and testosterone hormones
Therefore cholesterol is an important function of the body, but too much cholesterol in the body becomes a risk
as it can clog up arteries and this can be the cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Cholesterol Symptoms
It is surprising to learn that there are virtually no symptoms to diagnose if you have high cholesterol. High cholesterol is normally identified by a blood test.
However, if you are having health issues such as coronary disease, vascular disease or stroke, then this could be the end result of high cholesterol levels in your body.
Symptoms of:
Coronary Disease
* Angina
* Chest pains
How To Treat High Cholesterol Safely
Cholesterol may differ depending on the lifestyle, gender or the heritage of the individual. Every one of us can do certain things to live healthier, longer lives. One of those alternatives includes maintaining cholesterol at the right level. However, the truth is even young, thin, physically fit people can have high levels of cholesterol, even though chances of higher levels amplify due to certain factors. Lifestyle management can alter some of these factors while others require a more aggressive approach to include cholesterol-lowering medication. Carrying around excess weight usually incr ..
* Nausea
* Shortness of breath
Vascular Disease
* A tightening sensation in the lower extremities
* Ulcers or open sores on the lower extremities
Stroke
* loss of balance and dizziness
* slurring of speech and difficulty in understanding
* numbing sensation of the face, arm or leg
* this can be a sudden event with little or no warning
People who are overweight and do no exercise at all tend to be the ones with higher cholesterol levels.
Therefore, it is recommended that you have a cholesterol blood test every three years if you are overweight and every 5 years if you are a normal healthy weight.
How to Lower Cholesterol
If your blood test shows that your cholesterol levels are too high, then you should take immediate measures to help
lower your cholesterol. Your doctor will advise you on the best course of action, but initially it is the norm for
you to follow a low cholesterol diet.
A low cholesterol diet is normally a diet which is low in saturated fat and will include eating:-
* skinless poultry
* lean meats
* fish and shellfish
Must Have List Of Foods That Lower Cholesterol
Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two ways; our liver produces cholesterol and we eat foods containing cholesterol. High amounts of cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol that is bad for us, can lead to many health complications and significantly increase your risk of heart diseases.
While there are many foods that are high in LDL cholesterol, there are a lot, which can actually help to lower your LDL cholesterol levels and increase your HDL cholesterol or the good cholesterol. Here s a list of foods that lower cholesterol, which is a must have for anyone who is trying to redu ..
* low fat dairy products
* fruit
* vegetables
* whole grain foods
Cook your food by either
* grilling
* baking
* steaming
* boiling
* poaching
* microwave
Do not fry your food in lard or oil.
Your doctor also might prescribe you with a cholesterol lowering medication if he/she feels that the low cholesterol diet will not be enough.
About the author:
Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of
http://www.lower-your-cholesterol.infowebsite where you can find further information and resources on lowering your
cholesterol.
Claire BowesUnderstanding Cholesterol Levels and Decrease the Risk of Heart Attacks and Stokes
|
