High Cholesterol

 

 

In the whole planet, there are millions of people that are currently suffering from high cholesterol levels. Plenty of these people are taking prescription statin drugs as the rest of the people have decided to use a much more proactive stance by implementing lifestyle changes in their lives that will help them put a cap on high cholesterol levels. The cholesterol name was derived from a Greek word “Chole” which means bile which is a thick substance produced in the liver and it serves a great purpose in the proper functioning of the human body.

Overall cholesterol has many numerous attributes in the human body and it survives in the outer layer of every human cell. The duties of cholesterol in your body include: assisting in the growth of cell membrane, producing bile juice, it also helps greatly in the production of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Finally cholesterol is accredited with aiding metabolization of fat soluble vitamins in your body.

In the human body, cholesterol is produced when we consume animal proteins; these include meat, eggs and dairy products that we consume and wolaa! Cholesterol is produced. However over indulgence in these proteins lead to unhealthy and very dangerous of high cholesterol!

Types of Cholesterol

Cholesterol comes in three types; Triglycerides, HDL and LDL. LDL also known as Lipoproteins transport cholesterol all over the bloodstream and this type of cholesterol is known as bad cholesterol. It is also transported from the liver to the body cells. The problem comes in when too much HDL is transported all over the body; you suffer from high levels of cholesterol. Excess cholesterol definitely leads to a bunch of health complications that include heart disease and plaque.

On the other hand, HDL is known as the good cholesterol, this type of cholesterol does transports cholesterol away from the blood cells and back to the liver. The liver is then tasked with the duty of discarding the cholesterol out of the body. The good thing about HDL cholesterol is that it helps in the fight against heart disease. Triglycerides serve as the most common fat found in the human body. This type of cholesterol is made from the food that we consume.

If you suffer from high cholesterol levels: you need to know that heart disease doubles up as one of the ailments that you shall suffer from. Too much cholesterol in your body leads to blockage of the arteries which then lead to reduced blood and oxygen flow in your heart. These complications lead to either suffering of a stroke or heart attack and at times, both!

Symptoms of high cholesterol: If you know that you have been consuming a lot of fatty foods that are high in cholesterol, you may develop some symptoms that include: feeling pain in your legs as you walk, run or as you continue with your exercise routine. You will soon enough realize yellow patches on your skin and more so around your eyes, these patches are cholesterol deposits that have been spilled into your skin cells after the narrowing of your arteries.

Causes of High Cholesterol

There exist several documented reasons that lead to the development of high cholesterol. However, there are genetic penchants to very high cholesterol levels. Indulging in poor nutrition I.e. partaking very high quantities of cholesterol laden foods that include: dairy products and red meat increases your cholesterol, sausages, red meat and baked goods that contain certain sugar contents have very high levels of saturated fats Cholesterol leads to obesity. Excessive weight does indeed lead to bad cholesterol levels. You should always ensure that your weight is aligned with your height and gender. Smoking also raises cholesterol levels. Age is also another factor that leads to high levels of cholesterol, men reach the age of 50 and their cholesterol levels start rising.

For women, they begin experiencing high cholesterol levels after reaching menopause; this however is a study that excludes the numerous lifestyles that people have lead and that they factor in raising cholesterol levels.

Lack of exercise: People who do not try to do any form of exercise always suffer from higher cholesterol levels than the individuals who exercise regularly. Sedentary people always have less amounts of HDL cholesterol (good).

Health Conditions: Many medical conditions such as liver disease, diabetes and kidney diseases all lead to high levels of cholesterol. 

 Treating High Cholesterol

If you suspect that you are suffering from high levels of cholesterol, visit your medical provider who will then go ahead and perform a blood test that will check HDL, Triglyceride and LDL levels. Whatever levels that your will have reached, your physician may prescribe certain drugs such as: Statins which is a drug that lowers cholesterol by blocking the liver enzymes that produce it.

However this drug is laden with numerous side effects that include: constipation, headaches that are not all experienced by everyone that consumes the drug.

Niacin: This is another drug that reduces both LDL and HDL levels and it is also made with vitamin B. This drug has side effects that include a flushing and tingling sensation.

Aspirin also servers as drug that many medical practitioners recommend when you want to treat high cholesterol levels. Other drugs that your doctor can prescribe include: calcium channel blockers and beta blockers but all these drugs are administered after the doctor has checked your blood work, age and health condition.

NB: There are numerous ways that you can result to when you want to reduce cholesterol levels. The first thing you need to do is evaluate the areas of your life that you ought to change to become a healthier person.

But you can use the help of your doctor to determine the kind of lifestyle, exercise program and nutrition that you can embark upon to better manage your cholesterol levels. The most appropriate way of trying to control high cholesterol levels is by enhancing physical activity, improving on your diet.

Written below are some natural solutions for high cholesterol that you can result to and they will go along way in helping you reach your targeted cholesterol goals without having to result to toxic medicated drugs.

Natural Solutions for High Cholesterol

Some natural ingredients include: Ubiquinone also known as Coenzyme Q10 that happens to be a very powerful antioxidant that plays a huge role in the mitochondria (The cell that produces energy from food). This natural ingredient helps in improving good blood circulation that is cholesterol free and benefits people suffering from hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol and plenty more.

Chromium Picolinate is a vital ingredient that helps in the control of sugar in the blood. Insulin is a very important ingredient that is used in the management of glucose movement from the blood and into the cells. LDL and HDL levels are improved by chromium that lowers cholesterol levels.

Apple pectin lowers cholesterol by binding fats and heavy metals. Spirulina is a natural ingredient that is rich in blue- green nutrients, this amazing food is very rich in vitamin B, potassium, calcium, zinc, beta-carotene, protein, gamma-lionelic acid (GLA) and magnesium. Spirulina is a very efficient ingredient that lowers cholesterol levels by decreasing oxidation.

EFA’s that are distributed in supplement form help in thinning essential fatty acids in the blood that lowers LDL levels. These supplements can be bought in any natural stocking store.
Vitamin E and Garlic do help in improving circulation as they also lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Other natural ingredients that include cayenne, Hawthorn berries as well as Goldenseal are very useful when it comes to lowering cholesterol levels. B6, B12 and Folic acid are all natural ingredients that play a huge role in lowering homocysteine levels. These ingredients help in averting heart attacks.

Red yeast rice, artichoke leaf, guggul, fiber and Niacin (B3) are all exemplary natural ingredients that can be consumed by anyone who is suffering from high levels of cholesterol. Red yeast supplement works well when combined with CoQ10.

NB: The most vital and crucial element when it comes to reducing high cholesterol levels is to ensure that you make positive changes in your life. These changes need you to make an overhaul of your diet, keep away from smoking, alcohol intake and fatty foods.

If you must take wheat products, ensure you consume products made from wholesome wheat. Take measured products in the dairy section and always eat a balanced meal. You can also sign up with a gym where you can be working out at-least three times a week for only 30 minutes during each session. Try and take up to 8 glasses of water everyday, water keeps your body hydrated and helps it get rid of toxins that would have caused harm in the body. In fact visit your local supermarket or convenient store, purchase yourself a packed or two of green tea leaves. Make yourself a cup of tea and drink it once in the morning and in the evening consecutively and your cholesterol will be lowered.