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High Cholesterol |
High Cholesterol |
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| Introduction |
| Cholesterol has almost become a threat to us. Whether white or black, American or Asian, young or old, we just do not want to compromise on our cholesterol levels. And I guess that you that we are righteous in doing so because High Cholesterol usually takes us a step forward towards the risk of heart diseases. Well! If this cholesterol is of that a major concern then we must definitely have a better understanding of it. Now let’s see what is High Cholesterol, or making it simpler what is Cholesterol all the way.
Cholesterol is actually the waxy substance which is not only present in the food but also in our body. Now, this cholesterol is actually made up from two kinds of lipoprotein, the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
The cholesterol present in the food adds flavor to it and the cholesterol in our body is helpful in the making and maintaining of nerve cells, it is also one of the building blocks of natural hormones. In addition to adding flavor, the cholesterol in the food also increases the level of cholesterol in the blood stream causing the condition known as High Cholesterol. |
| Alternative Names |
| High Cholesterol is also known as Hypercholesterolemia. |
| Causes |
There is no single path that could lead you towards High Cholesterol level; a number of causes are attributed to high cholesterol.
- The most prominent among the causes is the genetics according to researches about 10 million deaths world wide in middle-aged men and women are caused by the genetically inherited cholesterol disorders. (I bet, you want to make sure that your family doesn’t have such a history. Right!!)
- Lesser physical exercise results lower HDL level and an elevated LDL level, the major cause of High Cholesterol.
- Obesity and overweight, no doubt!
- This one is for the smokers. High Cholesterol is one other reason why you should quit smoking at once, since it reduces the HDL level by 15%.
- Alcohol (indeed increases cholesterol).
- An excessive intake of fatty foods is the most direct cause.
- Anyone with kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease and hypothyroidism should remain well alert. Since these diseases affect the balance of lipoproteins in the blood and result in high cholesterol.
- Aging is a synonym to high cholesterol.
- Mental illness someway or the other leads to physical illness and a link between high cholesterol and stress has already been speculated by certain researchers.
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| Risk Factors |
| Smokers, alcoholics, obese, over weights, fatty food lovers, people with high cholesterol history in the family and people with kidney disease, liver disease and hypothyroidism are all equally exposed to High Cholesterol. |
| Symptoms & Signs |
| High Cholesterol is generally referred to by Doctors as a ‘silent disease’, because it usually comes without any symptoms making it impossible to detect it in the earlier stages and increasing the risk of heart disorders. |
| Diagnosis |
The diagnosis for high- cholesterol is basically done by a blood test. This is how you could basically get to know that whether or not your blood has a high cholesterol level. There are many other factors that help in diagnosing for high cholesterol level. These are:
- Genetics
- Weight
- Age and sex
- Alcohol consumption
- Kind of food taken.
- The amount of physical activity in daily life.
- Mental stress.
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| Prevention |
| The best prevention of High Cholesterol level is food with lesser fats and cholesterol. However there are certain other preventions as well pertaining to the causes of the condition. Such as smoking should be avoided as mush as possible (smoking is bad even if you are not a patient). Being overweight is bad; if you believe in this you could never have High Cholesterol (unless some other cause is there). Fiber in food also helps in preventing High Cholesterol. Remember a regular screening is extremely important. Regular exercise is the golden path, acquire it and be successful. GOOD LUCK! |
| Treatment |
| High Cholesterol is usually treated with regular exercises and diet control. But in the case of individuals where this is not effective medications are suggested by doctor in addition to exercises and diet control.
These medications include statins, bile acid sequestrants, nicotinic acids and fibric acids.
Statins help in lowering the production of cholesterol in the body.
Bile acid sequestrants combine with the cholesterol-containing bile acids in the intestine and then remove them in the bowel.
Nicotinic acids reduce total and LDL cholesterol along with increasing HDL cholesterol.
Fibric acid lowers triglycerides and raises HDL.
All of theses medications help the patient in reducing the cholesterol level in blood. |
| Primary Natural Supplements |
Adult Dosage Male/Female 18 Years or Older
- GarliChol (Standardized to 6,000 mg Allicin) and Guggul Cholesterol from Planetary Formulas.
- Flax Seed-Primrose Oil and Flush-Free Niacin from Source Naturals
- TMG (Trimethylglycine) from Jarrow Formulas
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| Dietary Guidelines |
- Don’t drink soft water.
- Cut-down your salt intake.
- Caffeine is bad, since it could elevate cholesterol level.
- Use plenty of garlic in any form; celery also plays an important role in maintaining cholesterol.
- Keep a watch on your intake of white sugar.
- Emphasize on having a lot of vegetables in your diet; it is believed that vegetarians are at a lower risk of high cholesterol. In the meat group fish and lean white meats are recommended.
- A low fat diet, high fiber diet is best recommended, along with plenty of oat bran, pectin fruit etc.
- Check the ingredient label on any edible you buy.
- Instead of hydrogenated fats (margarines), use olive oil and flaxseed oil.
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| Home Care Suggestions |
- Quit smoking.
- You should avoid an increased intake of alcohol. Because even if in a small mount it could immediately elevate your BP level.
- A blood pressure monitor is very necessary since this way you could keep a check on your BP yourself.
- Being an over weight, if you wish to lose weight (that you should definitely do) then use light exercises such as low-impact aerobics etc.
- Cut down maximum salt intake( if possible all).
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| Mind/Body Considerations |
| Control your stress with some stress controlling techniques such as yoga. Stay away from tobacco and caffeine. And yes if you are an overweight reduce your weight. And after all take care not for anyone, but for every one who loves you. |
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