Cholesterol Guide



             


Saturday, February 21, 2009

How to Lower Cholesterol - Learn The Methods On How to Lower Cholesterol

One question that seems to be on everyone’s lips in recent years is how to lower cholesterol? There are a variety of answers to that question. The answers depend on who is asked the question. If a pharmacist or even many doctors are asked that question they will almost always be guaranteed to answer the question with the name of one of the statin drugs that seem to be popular as of late. If you ask an herbalist how to lower cholesterol - they will almost always answer with some type of herbal remedy that are gaining popularity, since the side effects of statin drugs are becoming more widely known to the general public. If you ask a dietitian, they will answer with a list of diet changes that can be made.

If you ask an aerobics instructor there answer will involve an aerobics routine. All these answers may be right for different people. Statin drugs

Statin drugs may be the answer to some people in extreme cases where the immediate benefits may outweigh the long-term side effects. That decision would be up to the individual and their physician as it can be a difficult one. The side effects can often be extreme with the statin drugs so treatment with them should be a well informed decision. Personally, we advise people to steer away from these and look for more natural approaches.

Herbal remedies and Dietary changes

Herbal remedies and Dietary changes would be a good answer of how to lower cholesterol for most people. There are many herbal remedies available, many high quality natural herbal remedies can be easily found in the New Zealand area. Herbal remedies can help you safely lower your cholesterol naturally with no worries about side effects and can quite often have many other health benefits as well. Herbal remedies are also one of the easiest changes in life that can be made to promote better health and along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, may help to extend a persons life span.

There are many dietary changes that people can make to help lower their cholesterol, one of the biggest one is to lower the amount of saturated fat, cholesterol and Trans fats in the diet. Other changes would include adding some of the many foods that have been found to lower cholesterol and just plain following the food pyramid, with all the servings of fruits and vegetables and the smaller portions of meat. Exercise

Exercise can play an important role in how to lower cholesterol as it promotes good all around health as well as keeps excess body fat down, which has high cholesterol levels, and keeps the circulatory system working well to promote proper excretion of excess cholesterol. The best type of exercise found to promote good circulation is aerobics whether it is walking, swimming, bicycling or an actual aerobic workout.

Len Gibb is a webmaster who focuses on a wide array of niche health topics. His latest website - Natural Cholesterol Supplement focuses on cholesterol as a whole, and in partcular, a natural product we personally use with excellent health results known as - Cholest-Natural

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Lowering Cholesterol Level Naturally - Our View On Lowering Cholesterol Naturally

Standard prescription drugs used today to control the cholesterol level in your bloodstream are pretty recent compared to herbs and other natural products that have been around a lot longer.

These herbs and natural products are usually derived from plants, trees and other sources. But, remember that you really have to be careful about what chemicals are contained in those herbal drugs because most of these have not been regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Some herbal drugs, especially those manufactured in foreign countries have a certain statin drug inserted in the prescription but not listed in the ingredients section.

Because it might interfere with other medication or with your metabolism (if you have any specific problems) it is better if you consult at first your health care practitioner before you start any type of herbal drug. But still, there are many that actually list all the ingredients with the correct percentage and everything. Some natural-based products don’t use the statin drug at all so the risk of impotency, damaged livers, and muscle aches are at minimum. You need to choose a supplement that can confirm its ingredients that are stated on the label – This is known as a certificate of analysis which will confirm the ingredients and the potency of them. Stay away from companies that do not provide this.

As an alternative to treating high cholesterol are many natural products. This can actually turn out to be optimal for patients who combine diet and exercise in their cholesterol lowering plan. Cholesterol level is reduced by natural products simply by dissolving fat in your bloodstream.

Types of effective natural products

Through research, the following list of natural products has been noted to reduce cholesterol level. Many of these drugs are not considered legitimate cholesterol-lowering agents even though natural products are regulated by the FDA. Before beginning any of the above, consult with your health care practitioner.

B Vitamins – besides niacin, prevents the damage of the LDL through oxidation

Carnitine – decreases cholesterol levels by increasing HDL levels

Chromium – increases HDL levels, and reduces LDL levels

Coenzyme Q10 – reduces total cholesterol serum levels

Fiber – can be obtained through fiber supplements or through foods such as whole grains and vegetables. It prevents cholesterol absorption into the bloodstream by binding the cholesterol in the small intestine

Garlic – has many cholesterol-lowering properties

Grape Seed Extract – totally reduces cholesterol serum levels

Pantothine – decreases total cholesterol levels by increasing HDL levels

Red yeast rice – Natural product not regulated by FDA – dosage varies from pill to pill Vitamin C – slightly reduces cholesterol levels

Jean Helmet is a content editor who focuses on a wide array of niche health topics. Her latest website - Natural Cholesterol Supplement focuses on cholesterol as a whole, and in partcular, a natural product our editors personally use with excellent health results known as - Cholest-Natural

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Saturday, February 14, 2009

Lower Cholesterol - Using Diet To Lower High Cholesterol

If you want to lower high cholesterol levels, the first thing you should change is probably your diet. Diet is more likely to contribute to high cholesterol levels than any other factor. This increases your risk of developing heart diseases that can lead to hypertension and heart attack. So if you want to live a healthy life, where do you start?

Cross out these fats from your diet: LDL or low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, hydrogenated fats and most saturated fats. These fats can usually be found in the most popular meal of all: a large order of hamburger with cheese, French fries and milk shake. While very filling and satisfactory, these foods contain as much fat as 1/8 lb. of butter. Imagine chomping on THAT the next time you order a burger meal.

If you want a diet to help you lower high cholesterol by avoiding fats, try to keep your saturated fat intake to 10% of your total caloric intake. That is the ideal figure to maintain during the first stages of your goal to lower high cholesterol. Later on, you can go even further and keep your bad fat intake to just 7%.

Regular inclusion of fiber-rich foods in your diet can significantly lower high cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber found in natural, unprocessed grains, oats and fruits are great choices for meals and snacks. Soluble fiber is particularly effective in helping lower your blood cholesterol and reducing your body's rate of sugar absorption.

For men 50 years old and younger, the ideal daily amount of fiber intake is about 38 grams. This decreases to 31 grams for men 51 years and older. For women, it's 25 grams for those aged 50 and below and 21 grams for older women.

You don't have to follow an ultra-strict diet regimen that will make your life joyless and monotonous. All you have to do is to combine a reasonably active lifestyle with a good diet, something you will have to commit to for the rest of your life.

The main challenge you will have with foods that contribute to high cholesterol is that they are so easily accessed and consumed. That makes it more important for you to monitor your diet and ensure that it is ideal for lowering high cholesterol levels. Be informed and live a healthy life.

To discover the best foods to lower your cholesterol, visit http://www.diettolowercholesterol101.com

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Does A Best Diet For High Cholesterol Exist And How You Diet To Control High Cholesterol, Revealed!

Many cholesterol-conscious individuals tend to worry about that one best diet for high cholesterol. The questions that keep surfacing most often in health forums about cholesterol are, "Is there a best diet for high cholesterol?" or, "What is the best diet for maintaining low cholesterol?" The answer to those questions is a straightforward, "No!" There simply is just no one best diet to lower and control high cholesterol. Yes, figuring out how to lower cholesterol through diet is important, but - I believe that is going about it the wrong way. What they should be asking themselves instead is - if there is a diet to control high cholesterol that is best for them! And I’m here to tell you how to do just that.

Your choices in diet to help lower high cholesterol are one of the most important and safest ways to control high cholesterol. In fact, planning what to eat to lower your cholesterol should be one of your first priorities even before considering consuming any kind of cholesterol-lowering medication.

Doctors usually recommend aiming to lower your level of LDL cholesterol to less than 160mg/dl. Those with coronary heart disease should target a LDL cholesterol level of less than 130 mg/dl. That is - total cholesterol of 240mg/dl and 200 mg/dl respectively.

Diets to reduce high cholesterol revolve around low fat and high fiber

There is really only one vital key in any diet for lowering cholesterol … and that every diet plan you follow includes - low fat and high fiber. It really is as simple as that. Keeping your diet low in fat and high in fiber means:

 

  • Reducing your sugar intake: Everything you have probably heard about sugar is true. Cutting your intake of sugar is crucial to lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. An elevated triglyceride level significantly increases your risk of heart disease and studies have also shown that elevated triglyceride levels can portend the development of diabetes.
  • Keep your eye out for harmful trans-fats: Trans-fats are found in margarine, sauces, salad dressing and sugary snack foods.
  • Reduce your intake of animal fats, fried foods and chemically induced foods
And what about that fiber that you body so badly needs? You definitely cannot go wrong with fresh fruits and vegetables where fiber is concerned. Oats, rye, dried peas, yams, beans yogurt, and cultured foods are all great additions to your diet.

 

Here is a tip - if possible, consume soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is found - as already mentioned - in fruits and vegetables. But, another product soluble fiber is found in, is in one of the most effective grains that should be added to your diet to control high cholesterol …

Barley - a powerful choice in any cholesterol reducing diets

Barley has been used in traditional medicine by people thousands of years back. But, it is only recently that barley had been discovered to be highly effective in lowering cholesterol. As mentioned above, fibers are usually classified as either soluble or insoluble. And it is these water-soluble fibers like barley that have shown to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event.

Like in oats, beta-glucan (a complex sugar) is also found in barley. Studies have shown that those who include a high intake of beta-glucan in their diets, are more successful in lowering their LDL cholesterol.

So, here is a short list of water-soluble fiber that should become part of your natural remedy for lowering cholesterol:

 

  • Apples
  • Grapes
  • Oranges
  • Peaches
  • Squash
  • Corn
  • Carrots
  • Nuts and seeds (psyllium seeds are best)
  • Peanuts
  • Lentils
  • Peas
  • Beans
  • Oats
  • And of course, barley.
Maintaining low cholesterol includes starches

 

‘Complex carbohydrates’ or natural starches are needed by your body to burn fat. It is wise to include starches in your diet to control high cholesterol. Natural starches are found in breads, potatoes, pasta and cereal. Being naturally low in fat and high in fiber (everything that a diet to lower high cholesterol needs), these foods should be added to your dietary list.

Bear in mind, it is what you pile on to these foods that adds to the fat. A rising cholesterol level is due to the consumption of fat. Don’t get me wrong. Fat is a great source of energy for your body. It also helps absorb certain types of vitamin and nutrients.

But for those who are using diets to lower cholesterol, they should attempt to keep their fat consumption between 25 and 35 percent of their calories. That is the secret to maintaining a perfect dietary plan – eat less fat than your body burns everyday.

Keep in mind that just as important as the amount of fat you consume, is the type. Stay away from saturated and trans fats. These are the types of fat that are true enemies of good cholesterol. Cut that saturated fat from your diet and you lower your cholesterol.

If you’re wondering about good fats, then these are monounsaturated fats, and omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fats. Fish contain polyunsaturated fats, which are the best kind. Little wonder that so many dieticians recommend fish in many dietary plans.

So, if you are serious about lowering and maintaining low cholesterol and fighting heart disease, pay attention to your diet. Make this your first step towards combating bad cholesterol.

To sum up, your diet to control high cholesterol should and preferably incorporate these foods:

 

  • A diet rich in natural starches, fiber and protein.
  • Keep your diet low in bad fats as well. Preferably, stay off bad fats completely. This combination gives you a diet rich in nutrients such as potassium, calcium and magnesium, which, aid in the lowering of blood pressure and can add years to your life. Think, more vegetables fruits and whole-grain foods such as oats, brown rice (instead of white rice) and whole-grain bread (instead of white bread). This combination also keeps your diet low in calories - which means - no extra pounds. Besides keeping you in good shape, this combination prevents any build-up of toxins in your intestines. You can get the necessary proteins from beans, eggs and fish. Protein aids in rebuilding your muscle cells and tissues. A diet involving this combination will not only form a natural source to reduce cholesterol, but will also improve your cardio-vascular system and prevent arthritis.
  • And remember, keep off deep-fried foods like French fries and if possible, keep off baked potatoes too. Replace white potatoes with yams and sweet potatoes.
Maybe, there is a best diet for high cholesterol after all!

This is just a snippet of what you will discover in The 60 Day Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure. To uncover more tips and ideas about how you can diet to control high cholesterol effectively, visit http://mineyourmind.blogspot.com/ now to get the details and your health back on track!

Now’s your chance to dramatically lower your cholesterol, lead a healthier life and look and feel better without emptying your wallet on prescription drugs. Cut your risk of dying from a heart attack by half with simple, alternative but effective measures you can start implementing today! Get all the information you need about lowering your cholesterol naturally with the The 60 Day Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure at, http://mineyourmind.blogspot.com/

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Monday, February 2, 2009

Lower Cholesterol - Learn How To Lower Cholesterol

Lower cholesterol is something most people strive for. The problem is most people do not have the proper facts and knowledge to do so without prescription drugs. Physicians are, in most cases, not thorough in explanations of a low cholesterol diet when they suggest the first step in lowering high cholesterol. The result is the cholesterol test doesn’t show much if any change after a patient has tried a low cholesterol diet. The fact is, in most cases a patient with the right knowledge would know what questions to ask the physician and what foods and exercise work to lower cholesterol.

High Saturated Fat Foods Substitutes

There are many foods that can be substituted for foods with high saturated fats while cooking favorite dishes. One of the best ways to lower your cholesterol intake is to substitute skim or 1% milk and milk products for whole or 2% milk and milk products. Many of the lower fat milk products have the same taste you are already used to. Changing from whole milk to skim milk may take more getting used to. A gradual change may be needed in that case, but once used to the taste of the lower fat milk, you’ll never want to change back. Substituting two egg whites to each whole egg called for in dishes or in baked goods is also an option.

Buying choice cut meats with less fat is also a great way to cut down on LDL “bad” cholesterol in the diet. Cooking meals with more poultry and fish instead of red meats also helps considerably. Processed meats should be avoided as much as possible, if chosen for a meal they should be the low-fat variety and boiled before baked when possible to cook out more of the fat.

Try using extra virgin olive oil when possible instead of other oils as extra virgin olive oil actually helps in lowering LDL cholesterol levels and boosting HDL ”good” cholesterol. For example, eggs fried with extra virgin olive oil have a very delicious taste to them. Lower cholesterol doesn’t have to be a life long chore, once you get used to the changes made in your everyday life, you won’t even think about it.

Herbal and Natural Remedies

Quite often herbal and natural remedies can be implemented to help lower cholesterol. There are numerous options on the market. Herbal and natural remedies have become very popular world wide to help with a variety of health related problems, high cholesterol being one of the top health related problems addressed by herbal and natural remedies. New Zealand alone has many varieties of natural remedies for high cholesterol. It is always best to consult with your physician before stopping or starting any cholesterol treatment plan, as he or she may know something you don’t.

Len Gibb is a webmaster who focuses on a wide array of niche health topics. His latest website - Natural Cholesterol Supplement focuses on cholesterol as a whole, and in partcular, a natural product we personally use with excellent health results known as - Cholest-Natural

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