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[R132]Reduce Risk Of Heart Disease

by Arthur Nelson, Art

Have you been told by your doctor to lower cholesterol levels through your diet? Or are you one of millions of Americans that realize, heart disease has reached epic proportions in this country and are looking for natural ways to lower cholesterol? Don't distress; there are several ways to lower cholesterol without prescription statin drugs and their possible dangerous side effects.

"High cholesterol" is actually a misnomer for the improper balance between HDL cholesterol (most commonly referred to as "good" cholesterol) and LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol because it is the major cause of blockages in blood vessels, leading to heart attack and stroke). When the LDL cholesterol level is extremely elevated in relation to the HDL cholesterol level, your doctor may prescribe statin drugs such as Lipitor or Crestor, and recommend you to try a lower cholesterol diet, to bring these cholesterol numbers back into a more proper and safer range.

Cholesterol from food is hard to get away from, even though you may be watching your diet. All foods of animal origin contain cholesterol, especially including eggs, red meat, and shrimp. Generally, foods that are high in saturated fats or trans fats should also be limited. These include foods you may not even think of, such as: grilled cheese sandwiches, margarine, potato with butter, and even chicken pot pie. Fortunately, a national campaign has recently eliminated trans fats from being used by the many fast food restaurants. This will surely reduce some of the high cholesterol numbers across the nation over the long run.

Lowering cholesterol through your diet is a good start to "lower cholesterol," but other things can be done to affect your goal. You can lower cholesterol through more exercise. But exercise alone will not reduce cholesterol, lower cholesterol must be attacked from within the body. It has been discovered that several herbs and vitamins can be used in combination with your diet to lower cholesterol.

Guggul, cayenne, policosanol, garlic, vitamin C and niacin are just a few of the herbs and vitamins that have been clinically proven to bring cholesterol levels back into a proper and safe range. Lowering cholesterol naturally with these herbs and vitamins, in conjunction with diet and exercise, have been shown in medical studies to reduce high LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol levels within 30-60 days. Studies have also documented that use of these herbs and vitamins while taking statin drugs, resulted in a more rapid correction to proper cholesterol levels than taking statin drugs alone. You can get more cholesterol information that will help you lower cholesterol at my website, www.GreatNewsHealth.com. We can all benefit from lower cholesterol, which will lead to a longer, more enjoyable, and productive life for everyone.

The interest in Vitamins A, C, and E stems from their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants interfere with the complex process through which LDL cholesterol starts plaque formation. Some animal studies and at least one human study also suggested that Vitamin C can improve the level of protective HDL cholesterol.

Antioxidants are molecules that work to reduce the damage done to cells and to DNA by free radicals: charged particles found in the environment and caused by everyday biological processes. It is clear that foods with rich antioxidants can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and scientists have been working to isolate the particular compounds responsible.

But, people who hope vitamins can protect their hearts actually need to eat healthy foods instead of popping pills, according to the statement made by the American Heart Association in August 2004.

A group of researchers, led by Professor Penny Kris-Etherton from Pennsylvania State University, had conducted a review of various studies on whether supplements can reduce heart disease risk. The results of the study, published in the journal Circulation, actually showed that vitamin pills have virtually no effect on reducing the risk of heart disease. There is little reason to advice individuals to take antioxidant supplements such as A and C to reduce cardiovascular disease.

Several research studies have also shown that people who took antioxidant supplements did not have a lower risk of cancer or heart disease, and one important Finnish study showed that male smokers who took supplements actually had a higher risk of lung cancer.

In another study conducted by the researchers at the Cleveland Clinic (CCF) had found that vitamin E did not actually provide any benefit in lowering mortality compared to control treatments, and it did not significantly decrease the risk of cardiovascular death or stroke. The lack of any beneficial effect was seen consistently regardless of the doses of vitamins used and the diversity of the patient populations. Therefore, the CCF researchers conclude that their study does not support the routine use of vitamin E.

All the studies mentioned above do not show any evidence that could support the fact that use of ?vitamin supplements? such as A, C and E can benefit people with heart disease. Nonetheless, it is unarguable that the antioxidant properties of these vitamins do provide beneficial effect to reduce risk of heart disease.

Nutritionists and doctors now argued that it is probably a combination of compounds in foods that give the healthy antioxidant benefits. As such, the American Heart Association continues to promote a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes, poultry and lean meats to derive antioxidant vitamin benefits.

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Arthur Nelson has sinced written about articles on various topics from High Cholesterol, Cholesterol and Diabetes Treatment. is the most efficient way to avoid serious health problems such as heart attack and stroke. Visit my website,. Arthur Nelson's top article generates over 590 views. to your Favourites.

Ng Peng Hock has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Heart Conditions and Health. Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine as long as the following information about author/website is included. Heart Disease Prevention - 8 Simple Ways You Can Do Immediately, Go to: http://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com. Ng Peng Hock's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.