The Basics of Cholesterol
What are we dealing with,
when we are talking about lowering cholesterol? We do
need to define and know what it is, in order to deal
with it appropriately and responsibly. Here are some quick-facts about cholesterol that you need to
know and be aware of:
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Cholesterol is a
fat-like and waxy substance, produced by the liver.
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It has its place and
function in the human body and system and too much
of it puts your health at risk.
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Cholesterol forms part of every cell within the
body.
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When the cholesterol level is appropriate, all is
well
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It plays a life-giving role in many functions of
the body.
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When cholesterol is at a good level, you are
healthy and in top shape
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It works to build and repair cells
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It produces hormones such as estrogen and
testosterone
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Produces bile acids which are proven to aid in the
digestion of fat
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With too much cholesterol in the body, build up
occurs
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Damage to and clogging
of your arteries result.
This is how the problem
oftentimes gets its start:
A diet high in saturated
foods (including dairy, meat and eggs) heightens and
elevates your cholesterol levels in the body.
Cholesterol Tip # 1: Eating
FRESH is GREAT! Fruit, vegetables, and grains will help
you maintain optimal health. These foods typically have
0% cholesterol.
Therefore, it is possible to
NOT fall into the trap of high levels of cholesterol and
you have a role to play, by choosing the right kind of
foods to pass from fork to mouth. If you do opt for a
healthier diet and lifestyle you have already made a
giant leap in taking control of not only your
cholesterol, but your heart health, life and
future!
If you do eat right and
better, you are in a better position to get your health
back and lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.
SIMPLY LOWERING YOUR CHOLESTEROL BY 1% CAN MAKE A WORLD
OF DIFFERENCE AND IS WORTH THE EFFORT!
Monitor your levels
regularly and discuss them with your doctor. YOU DO NOT
ONLY HAVE TO RELY ON MEDICATIONS, there are healthier
choices, options, lifestyle changes, and supplements
such as the ones on this website that you can have a
great lowering effect too.
Again understanding more
about cholesterol, the different types and
manifestations of it as well as the effects and risks it
carries, is of importance. We will pause to reflect on
them briefly. There is more than ONE ‘type’ of
cholesterol, although we just refer to them as
cholesterol. They have different functions in the body
and are even different types of ‘substances’, with
their own characteristics and qualities.
Like other fats, cholesterol
CANNOT be absorbed or dissolved in your blood. They are
carried in your system from cell to cell. Transported if
you will. They consist mainly of an outer layer of
protein and an inner core of both cholesterol and
triglycerides - another form of fat and highly
dangerous, as we will continue to discover. Here is a
summary on what these different types of cholesterol are
and do in the body.
The two main types of lipo-proteins
are: High density and Low density lipo-proteins When we
refer to our cholesterol ‘levels’ and test results,
we imply all/both of the above. These are also referred
to in the common language as good and bad cholesterol.
BUT, WHAT CAUSES CHOLESTEROL
EXACTLY? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
In a continued attempt to
understand and handle cholesterol effectively, we need
to know and probe more. You could have extremely high
levels of bad cholesterol, despite the fact that you are
healthy and thin. Due to heart risk and health factors,
some individuals will require a very aggressive
approach, which includes medical treatment and
cholesterol lowing medication. More on this a little
later. It is a serious condition and intervention and
action has to be immediate!
Lifestyle issues, diet
and high cholesterol:
FAST-FOOD high in saturated
fats and opting deliberately for convenience meals above
nutrition are some of the bad choices and habits we will
have to take up and change quickly to turn the tide in
our favor and get rid of our cholesterol-inducing habits
a priority!
TIP # 2: When we opt for
convenience in eating over nutrition, we are setting
ourselves up for problems. Eating fast foods and
convenience foods results in eating too many fats and
salts, which can raise our bad cholesterol levels.
If you are not active
regularly, it gets worse. This build-up is inevitable.
YOU CANNOT LIVE SUCCESSFULLY ON THIS TYPE OF FOOD! The
movie “Super Size Me” Documents a failed attempt at
doing so and is quite an eye-opener. It is how to go
wrong with cholesterol in 30 days or less! Getting good
advice on nutrition and healthy eating, choices to lower
your cholesterol is always time and effort well
spent.
Nutrition, Diet and Food
choices – WHAT IS ON THE MENU AND GROCERY LIST?
Here is a list of things you
can start changing right away , if you have not been
doing it…
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START BY CHOOSING
healthier and preferable LOW-FAT foods
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Buying unsaturated fats
and oils as the BEST alternative!
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Cooking-sprays (low-fat)
to replace oils and cut fat from our diet MORE!
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Kitchen habits and food
preparation techniques that do not require oil (stir fry,
steam, boil etc.)
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No deep-frying or foods
baked/prepared in heavy oils
Heritage and Genetics
Thank your genes and DNA for
some of your cholesterol levels and bodily dynamics! IT
does have a role to play here. Ask and answer: Is
there anyone in your family that suffers from high
cholesterol? Alert your physician of this as well,
especially with a family history that includes heart
disease and high cholesterol levels.
You cannot fight or deny
genetics and the role that it plays/can play, BUT you
can choose actively to live differently! This is exactly
what this book proposes! Let us learn some more about
this topic now.
Age and Gender
It is an undeniable fact of
aging that the older you get the higher you cholesterol
levels will get. It is however also a question of
reality and maintenance. Especially when menopause hits
for women. We tend to see a higher occurrence of
cholesterol issues when this sets in. Women easily
surpass men at this point and have to do a great deal to
manage and lower their cholesterol and risk of disease.
Ensure that your age does not threaten your heart
health. Stay active and eat right and monitor your
cholesterol levels regularly.
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