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Cholesterol is formed from two different sources, as it is both created in the liver and derived from the different foods that we consume. There are also two different forms of cholesterol, LDL and HDL. LDL cholesterol is considered to be the bad form of cholesterol because it has a tendency to build up inside the walls of arteries, which can lead to inflammation and the formation of clots, and eventually even heart disease. HDL cholesterol, however, helps to transport LDL bad cholesterol out from the blood vessels, and back into your liver where it can be processed properly and then eliminated. Both LDL and HDL cholesterol come together to form what is your total cholesterol count, along with your triglycerides. Generally, you should be aiming for a high HDL, and a low LDL in order to make your heart the healthiest.
For many people, genetics can easily be blamed for unhealthy cholesterol numbers. However, this is not always the case because many people also have unhealthy cholesterol numbers thanks to a diet which is high in saturated fat which is converted into cholesterol in the body. But for most people, it is actually a combination of both of these things which creates the unhealthy cholesterol level in their bodies.
When it comes to high in saturated fat foods, which cause your bad cholesterol level to rise, the typical suspects are foods which are high in animal fats, such as whole-milk dairy products, pork, lamb, veal and beef among others. There are also foods which are naturally high in cholesterol, such as the yolk of an egg, but it is still debatable whether this cholesterol is actually bad for you or not. Cutting back on these foods, or eliminating them from your diet all together is generally the recommended course of action if you are dealing with high cholesterol.
The process of lowering your blood cholesterol begins with diet modification. By lowering how much saturated fat you consume, and increasing the amount of soluble fiber foods you consume, you can reduce your cholesterol. Foods which are high in soluble fiber, like oatmeal, strawberries, citrus fruits, peas and Brussels sprouts can bind to the cholesterol which is present in your intestines, which helps the body excrete them. Additionally, these soluble fiber foods are also typically low in both fat and cholesterol, in addition to being packed with heaps of healthy nutrients and vitamins.
Another great way for you to begin the process of lowering your bad cholesterol levels is to lose a small amount of weight. 10 pounds is typically enough to start showing an improvement in your cholesterol level, because excess weight can significantly raise your LDL cholesterol level, and could possibly be lowering your HDL cholesterol as well.
Finally, if you are a smoker you should be aware of the fact that smoking can significantly reduce your HDL cholesterol level, so your heart health may be significantly boosted by quitting. Within a few weeks or months, you will notice that your HDL cholesterol level is rising, which will improve your cholesterol level and the health of your heart.
There are a variety of different ways to treat problems with high LDL cholesterol levels, and there are five different groups of drugs which are used to lower cholesterol levels. Typically, someone with high cholesterol will take one of these drugs from two of these different categories in order to achieve effective treatment.
Statins: These drugs help to prevent the liver from creating new cholesterol. Some of the drugs in this category include Atorvastatin, which is better known as Lipitor, Fluvastatin, which is better known as Lescol, Rosuvastatin which is better known as Crestor, and Simvastatin which is better known as Zocor.
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors: These drugs help to prevent the absorption of cholesterol in your small intestines. Some of the drugs in this category include Ezetimibe, which is better known as Zetia, and Vytorin which combines Zetia with a statin Simvastatin fibrate like gemfibrozil or fenofibrate.
Bile Acid Binding Resins: These drugs work in the intestines in order to bind to cholesterol, aiding your body in the process of excreting it. Some of the drugs that are in this category include Cholestyramine, which is known as Questran and Prevalite, Colestipol which is better known as Colestid, and Colesevelam which is better known as WelChol.
Niacin: Niacin is a form of vitamin B, and it may work by decreasing the production of cholesterol in your liver, but it is not totally clear yet how therapeutic doses of Niacin actually reduce cholesterol. There are several brand names for this form of Niacin, including Niaspan and Advicor, which actually combines the Vitamin B Niacin with a statin called Lovastatin.
Because your cholesterol levels contribute so heavily to the health of your heart, it is imperative that you maintain health levels in order to live a long, healthy life. If you continue to maintain a high LDL bad cholesterol level, the heart of your health will deteriorate, and you will find years shaved off your life. Maintaining a healthy level of cholesterol is an easy task as long as you understand the impact that cholesterol has on your body and how you can control it. If you cannot control your blood cholesterol by yourself through exercise and proper nutrition, you should consult a doctor to find the right medication cocktail which will do the trick.
Many people are walking around, feeling absolutely wonderful, with a ticking time bomb lodged in their arteries. No, the explosive device will not literally blow a body to smithereens. However, the probable concussion is capable of causing deadly heart attacks and strokes. Until the volatile situation is diffused, an individual is walking a minefield of detonation apparatus.
The bomb is high cholesterol. Now, once found, how can an individual rid the body of high cholesterol before time runs out? The answer is easy; the solution is difficult. The first step to lowering high cholesterol is developing new habits. Although the answer is easy to state, the implementation is likely the most difficult undertaking of an individual's life, because the new habits require smoking cessation, maintaining a heart-healthy diet, and developing an exercise routine.
First, a former smoker will freely admit, the addictive properties of tobacco products make quitting seem like self torture-for a time. Many will also confess, success came after more than one attempt to break the habit.
However, the initial price of denying an addiction, and beginning a new habit of improved health, is worth the investment. Outwardly, a person will immediately cease smelling like a walking ashtray. Inwardly, the body begins the process to clear up the lungs, and improving circulation throughout the body.
So, what does smoking have to do with high cholesterol? Plenty! Smoking actually causes the blood vessels to constrict. Now, imagine the narrowing highways of blood circulating past obstructions of plaque, or fatty deposits, in the system.
Over time, if the obstructions are not removed, the highways of blood coursing through the body will eventually hit a total roadblock. Then, without warning an individual will suffer a debilitation/deadly stroke or heart attack. Before a roadblock cuts life short-quit smoking! Yes, now a person has one more compelling reason to stop subjecting the body to tobacco.
A second new habit to establish is a heart-healthy diet. The expression, "garbage in, garbage out" is appropriate to consider, when attempting to lower high cholesterol. Consuming garbage foods will ultimately create destructive waste in the veins, in the form of high cholesterol. If the waste is not removed, and steps are not taken to keep the garbage from collecting again, an individual will likely suffer the consequences of neglecting to lower high cholesterol.
Now, what are garbage foods? Essentially, high fat foods should be avoided. Sorry, ice cream is on the list. However, a yummy sorbet is not. Products containing saturated fat are contributors to the garbage pile.
Conversely, high fiber edibles can actually help take some of the garbage away. For example, oatmeal is advertised to help in lowering high cholesterol. True! Certain foods basically absorb excess cholesterol and carry the garbage away. Eating more fruits and vegetables, and consuming fish, rather than fatty red meats, are also healthy eating choices. If in doubt as to heart-healthy foods, a family physician will be glad to give a patient the needed information.
Finally, do not be the preverbal couch potato. Get into an exercise routine. If money is tight, and membership in a fitness club is not an option, do not worry. Exercise is free.
For examples, take a brisk walk every day; instead of exercising the arms while holding small weights, grab a couple cans of vegetables; or ride a bike. Many people join spas and clubs for the motivational support. No problem! Friends and family are free. Start an epidemic of good health. Get physically fit, together.
How can exercise contribute to lowering high cholesterol? The answer is relatively simple. Exercise builds muscles and burns fat. Coupled with a healthy diet, cholesterol will not have the opportunity to collect on the artery walls, because excess fat is being burned and exercise improves circulation.
Physical fitness is a win-win situation. An individual will ultimately feel better, and the effort will become a valuable tool used to defuse the ticking time bomb called high cholesterol.
In summary, lowering high cholesterol is essential for good cardiovascular health. If a doctor diagnosis unsafe cholesterol levels, an individual is essentially a ticking bomb waiting to be detonated.
Unless, and until, the health concern is addressed, the patient is a prime candidate for a heart attack or stroke. In many cases, the patient has no second chance to lower high cholesterol. So, do not ignore the numbers. Immediately, an individual can take appropriate steps to begin lowering high cholesterol. First, quit smoking! Make the decision to do whatever it takes to break the addiction. Second, make the life-long choice to eat a healthy low-fat diet. Trade in the cake and ice cream for fruity desserts like sorbet. Last, build muscles and increase cardiovascular health with regular exercise. Do not put off, until tomorrow, what should be done today. Create new habits. Otherwise, tomorrow may never come.