Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of the body. We need cholesterol to help digest fats, strengthen cell membranes, insulate nerves, and make hormones. Cholesterol is made primarily in the liver, but it is also produced by cells lining the small intestine and by individual cells in the body. While our body makes all of the cholesterol we actually need (about 1,000 milligrams a day), we also get additional cholesterol from foods we eat. The highest sources of cholesterol are egg yolks and organ meats such as liver and kidney. No plant derived food contains cholesterol, not even peanut butter or avocado, even though these foods are high in fat. However, all foods from animal sources such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products contain cholesterol.
Cholesterol Causes Heart Disease
Although cholesterol serves many important functions in the body, too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can be dangerous. When blood cholesterol reaches high levels, it builds up on artery walls, increasing the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. The heart is a muscle, and like all muscles, needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients. The bloodstream transports these nutrients to the heart through the coronary arteries. If the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits (atherosclerosis) and cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is coronary heart disease (CHD). If not enough oxygen-carrying blood reaches the heart muscle, a sharp, sudden chest pain (angina) may occur. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is most often caused from a blood clot forming on top of an already narrowed artery.
LDL and HDL Cholesterol
Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood therefore, they can't travel on their own. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. The two major lipoproteins are low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is most often referred to as the ?bad? cholesterol whereas HDL is known as the ?good? cholesterol. LDLs carry cholesterol throughout the body to the cells. LDLs cause atherosclerosis by clogging up our arteries with the continual buildup of fat. HDL, on the other hand, prevents this fat buildup within arterial walls, by carrying it away from the arteries, to the liver where it is eventually processed and eliminated. Both LDL and HDL have been recognized by the American Heart Association as strong and independent risk factors that can impact heart health. While high levels of LDL are associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease (potentially leading to heart attack or stroke), high HDL can positively impact heart health, drastically reducing your risk of heart disease. In fact, studies have shown that raising your good cholesterol reduces cardiovascular disease risks more than lowering bad cholesterol alone. As a result, the AHA along with the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) have established the following guidelines to keep your heart healthy.
- HDL levels above 40 for men and above 50 for women (above 60 is optimal)
- LDL levels between 100 and 159 (preferably less than 130)
- Total cholesterol (HDL and LDL) under 200
Triglycerides Triglycerides are fats used as fuel by the body and as an energy source for metabolism. Triglyceride levels fluctuate easily, changing after every meal. Increased levels are almost always a sign of too much carbohydrate and sugar intake. Triglycerides in high amounts make the blood more sluggish and less capable of transporting oxygen, particularly through the smallest blood vessels. High triglycerides is yet another independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease, leading to a heart attack or stroke. There are several medications physicians can prescribe for people with elevated triglyceride levels. Some of the most effective are the statins, but keep in mind there are some potentially dangerous side effects associated with their use. Natural medicine has thankfully found other options. Both the HDL boosting combination and the LDL lowering pantethine and plant sterols blend mentioned earlier can safely and effectively lower triglycerides.
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