Understanding Cholesterol and Heart Health
If you have a better idea of what cholesterol is and how you can manage it in your life, this information will lead to better heart health, and all round better feeling of well being. Cholesterol is a waxy like substance that is found in the walls of all your body cells, from your nervous system to your liver and in your blood stream as well. Your body uses this cholesterol to make necessary hormones, bile acids, vitamin D and other vital substances that your body needs to survive. There are good and bad types of cholesterol as well
Where does the Cholesterol in your body come from?
Your body manufacturers all the cholesterol your body requires from the foods you eat. This cholesterol will circulate in your bloodstream in packages known as lipoproteins, which consist of fat inside and protein on the outside. Cholesterol which is a fatty substance does not mix with the blood, just as oil does not mix with water. Your blood carries it to the parts of the body where it is required as mentioned above
Your Body has 2 Types of cholesterol in your body, both good and bad!.
Your body carries two types of cholesterol one which is good for your health and the other bad… These are known as low density lipoprotein or LDL which is the bad cholesterol which carries cholesterol that builds up in your body tissues including your heart arteries. Most cholesterol in your blood at any given time is the LDL cholesterol. The higher the levels are of LDL cholesterol in your blood stream; the higher your dangers are of contracting heart disease. So remember LDL is the bad cholesterol and you don’t want high levels of this type in your body.
The good Cholesterol in your body is called HDL cholesterol. This cholesterol carries cholesterol away from your tissues to your liver where it is harmlessly removed from your body by natural secretion. Low levels of HDL increase heart disease. Healthy levels of HDL are good for you. Do not get mixed up between the two.
Why are high levels of LDL Cholesterol bad for your body?
Too much cholesterol in your blood leads to blocked and clogged up body tissues including your heart arteries. This build up is called plaque and as a result your arteries become less flexible. You may have heard the term atherosclerosis; which is hardening of your arteries and as you know the end result can be a heart attack. It is not just your heart blood vessels that can suffer from too much cholesterol, but any of the arteries in your body as well. If your coronary artery becomes blocked by too much plaque you will suffer angina because your blood is unable to get the oxygen it needs or the nutrients to the heart muscle. Hardening of the coronary artery is called coronary heart disease which you may likely by now have heard somewhere or another. This form of heart disease is becoming common in the western world due to high cholesterol in the blood from; Yes; and you guessed it; from unhealthy eating habits!
The risk factors.
Certain risk factors nothing can be done about regarding heart diseases and cholesterol levels. These factors where risks of heart disease are increased, are age groups for men and women over 45, which are ages that will increase the likelihood of coronary heart disease from atherosclerosis. Family history of early heart disease is also a factor that must be taken into consideration. The lack of regular exercise and bad eating habits increase the risk of heart disease from cholesterol as well. Most fast foods are prepared in unhealthy fats which is a high risk factor more than anything else as well…
How to lower your risks of high cholesterol.
Perhaps you have heard some of these tips before but it is prudent to go over them again for your information:
1 Avoid foods with high animal fat content. Trim excess fat off meat
2. Eat Lots of fruit, vegetables, and fiber for your health
3. Eat less salt in your diet and limit salty snacks and foods.
4. Lose some weight if you are carrying too much according to your BMI (Body Mass Index)
5. Regular sensible exercise in moderation and plenty of fresh air.
6. Stay calm and avoid stressful situations.
7. Limit your alcohol intake to a sensible level.
8. Smoke less, or give up altogether if possible.
Other treatments that can be used if your doctor has found you to have unhealthy levels of cholesterol are certain drugs called ‘statins’ that will control the rate which your body produces cholesterol. These drugs increase HDL and lower the bad LDL cholesterols. See above about what we mentioned about the good and bad cholesterols.
Watch your diet and eat healthily
Choose healthy fats like olive oil, avocado pears, peanut butter, unsalted nuts and fish oils. Try and limit intakes of salt, polyunsaturated fats, sunflower oils, soft margarines and salad dressings like mayonnaise. (Some newer soft low cholesterol margarine is available on the market that is completely safe to use nowadays though).
Watch out particularly to avoid eating too much animal fats on meats, eat less eggs, cheese, fatty meats, butter, and ice creams and of course take out foods. Naturally you can eat any of the above as long as you are sensible about it. Everyone tells you to eat more fiber, and by now with this advice it should be a given. If you are not eating enough greens or fresh vegetables then take some sort of antioxidants or supplements. Cut down drinking of alcohol to one or two drinks a day.
There is some great advice and diets that have been designed to help people with high cholesterol reduce these high levels. With a little research you will find the right ways to control your cholesterol.
More Heart Health Information Here
18 Responses to “Understanding Cholesterol and Heart Health”
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The hardest thing in the world to accept is the fact that you can't make someone change if they don't want to. I sympathise with your problem.
I have, unfortunately, always been one of those people who needed a 2×4 upside the head to get me to do something, even when I knew I should be doing it.
There are many reasons why a person won't take care of him or herself, but they all boil down to fear. Fear of facing the issue, fear that it will get worse, fear of failure.
For me, I had a lot of other issues to deal with before I would ever be successful with my weight loss. I am a recovering emotional eater. Food was the one thing to which I always turned to help me with my problems. It took six years of therapy and two years of antidepressants to get me where I am, but I am now in Weight Watchers and getting thinner and healthier (physically and mentally) every day.
And, yes, to answer your question, I did finally get sick of being fat. I have tried to lose weight on my own so many times, but I just can't do it alone, so I prayed. I didn't know what else to do. Fortunately, with our new health insurance at work, they are paying for me to go through Weight Watchers. Otherwise, I would not be able to afford it. The support and accountability make a huge difference.
I have hypertension, but fortunately my blood sugar and cholesterol are well within the healthy range. I am, however, 150 pounds overweight still and I have a family history of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and high cholesterol. I decided that this is going to work this time. I will lose the weight and keep it off. Women in my family have longevity on our side and I fully intend to be around to see my great-grandchildren! My son deserves to have his mom around for a long time!
Now, MY father is another story all together. He is 59 years old, a smoker, and at least 100 pounds overweight. He doesn't exercise and eats a horrible diet. My mother has tried everything she can to get him to stop smoking and eat healthier. He'll go out in 95 degree weather and mow the lawn, which is a good acre and a half. The man is a walking heart attack and doesn't seem to care, so I know exactly how you feel!!!
The best you can do is to give them your support and keep pushing them. Let them know you love them and want them to be around. Hopefully you will be able to get through to them before it is too late.
And, if all else fails, do what I did…pray.
August 16th, 2010 at 3:45 amso LDL levels cause plaque and depend on cholesterol levels ?
August 16th, 2010 at 4:27 amMy blood pressure and cholesterol were high until I started drinking Mona Vie with the red top. I’m not the only one it has helped either.
August 16th, 2010 at 5:02 amPeople should go to juiceberg’s channel if they want to inquire about the MV. I’m telling ya, it’s amazing!
Hi Matts,
Saturated fat has a greater impact on blood cholesterol levels versus dietary cholesterol, which is why light meat (i.e. chicken breast) is typically recommended more than brown/red meat when someone is following a heart healthy diet.
All the best,
August 16th, 2010 at 5:14 amLisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps – http://www.lisanelsonrd.com/howtolowercholesterol.html
there's plenty of reasons. You get fat really fast, but to lose that fat it takes forever.. Why then even make an effort? Yes, that's why these companies make millions and millions of dollars every year selling pills and all that shit to get in shape, but they don't really work! People think they do and so they still buy it, so, if you are going to get in shape out of a pill that companies make, why not make this commercials about people eating their weight in one sitting and saying it's ok? It's easy, they eat all these shit, they get fatter, they buy the pills. It's BIG business…
August 16th, 2010 at 7:16 pmThis is a textbook example of how the MSM bullshits us. He jumps from one point to another with no connection. HDL and LDL are lipoproteins, then 3 seconds later they are magically cholesterol. Status quo enforcing assclown, he should be on CNN more.
August 17th, 2010 at 6:39 amProbably not because of the awful toupee’.
The answer is A.
August 17th, 2010 at 7:58 amIf you read the passage, it tells you how alcohol relates to HDL, the good cholesterols.
Hope this helps! =]
No Actually,
August 17th, 2010 at 9:27 pmlogic would tell you that allmost ANYTHING you consume is not good for you if you OVER-DO it, if you never work-out or think about a diet.
You can eat WHATEVER you like and that INCLUDES Cholesterol,
if you are a Person that goes to gym 5-6 times a week for 1-2 hours a day then Cholesterol won’t hurt you.
Talking about LOGIC!!!!!
Do you’ve higher diastolic blood stress? Maybe you select to prevent getting high diastolic blood pressure, no matter what the case is, you’ll discover everyday points you possibly can do. What you eat, how a lot you physical exercise, even your habits can effect your blood pressure.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:16 pmYou are in a very difficult situation. Fact is if dad does not want to change his lifestyle there is little you can do. You can however assist him in doing so if he is willing to cooperate. First of all. Don't nag, don't accuse, be supportive. Talk to him about you concern that he is not going to see you graduate if he carries on this way. Don't blame him for anything but spell out your fear in a loving and supportive way. Try to get him to agree to an exercise programme with you. Provide him with information about the affects of excessive alcohol consumption. Try to get him on your side. If you can involve professional help do so but don't push him. You have got to convince him that it is for his own good. Good luck.
August 17th, 2010 at 11:52 pmwell, its not bad. there are a few spelling errors and the paper doesnt flow too well, but id say its like a B but possibly a C. id maybe work on better diction and varying sentence length and structure.
August 18th, 2010 at 1:54 amit’s been proven that cholesterol from food, unless it is highly processed, has no no affect on your blood cholesterol level. Another thing, according to a medical doctor, approximately 6% of all doctors in the U.S. take a nutrition course in medical school each year. Also, the nutrition course is optional. The only thing(s) they are taught in medical school are how to recognize the symptoms of a disease and how to use medication.
August 18th, 2010 at 2:29 amFor my supplements I use iherb.com. They have very good price, fast shipping, great service. Use promo code ZAY467 on first order to get $5 off.
August 18th, 2010 at 3:28 am1. C
August 18th, 2010 at 7:19 am2. D
3. A
4. True
5. True (I am unsure about this one)
6. B
a lot a good info here, you did your research!…in your second paragraph though, you incorrectly state that arteries carry blood to the heart…arteries in general carry blood away from the heart…how about the wording "…occurs when an artery that carries blood to the brain…."
August 18th, 2010 at 2:51 pmand when talking about aspirin, maybe say something about asking your doctor about taking aspirin to reduce your chances…you don't want to encourage anyone to begin aspirin therapy without their doctor's advice…
and your final sentance about ensure little to no perm damage…since despite doing and knowing all the right things, some strokes still may lead to severe perm disabilties or death, maybe change your wording to these things help to minimize life altering disabilites…the recovery is seldom quick, and many times does not lead to a full recovery, but a highly functional recovery….
I found a blog with a good amount of information on cholesterol, triglyercides, blood pressure, blood sugar, etc. It has reviews and links on some good products and for one that you don’t need a prescription for and that also shows proven results within 90 days. bit . ly/ 9avoq7
August 18th, 2010 at 2:57 pmremove the spaces.
August 18th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
@Tallguy2011 when he says HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol he means HDL and LDL bound to cholesterol!!
August 19th, 2010 at 3:05 am