High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is one of the body’s lipids, or fats.  Cholesterol and triglyceride, another of our bodies’ fats, are important in cellular structure, making hormones, and producing energy.  Cholesterol is determined in part by what you eat, but mainly by the way your body makes cholesterol in your liver.  There are two types of cholesterol; good cholesterol (HDL) which works to reduce tissue cholesterol, and take it back to the liver, and bad cholesterol (LDL) which can contribute to diseases of the arteries.  Having high LDL cholesterol is not a disease, but can lead to cardiovascular diseases, or diseases of the arteries.  

Cholesterol levels are measured by taking a blood sample after you have fasted for several hours.  

Total HDL cholesterol levels fall into the following categories:

• Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL
• Borderline high risk: 200-239 mg/dL
• High Risk: 240 mg/dl and above
• Total LDL cholesterol levels fall into these categories:
• Optimal: less than 100mg/dL
• Near optimal: 100-129 mg/dL
• Borderline: 130-159 mgdL
• Borderline high: 160-189 mg/dL
• High: 160-189 mg/dL
• Very high: 190 mg/dL and above

Home Remedies For High Cholesterol:

Niacin/Vitamin B3:

Niacin is excellent for raising your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol levels while depleting the your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol levels as well as triglycerides. High levels of LDL cholesterol frequently accompany high triglycerides levels, in turn increasing the risk of heart disease.

Niacin is so effective, the American Heart Association reports that niacin reduces cholesterol more effectively than certain prescription medication. I can't think of a better endorsement than that!

Weight Control:

Watch your weight, and eat a low fat diet, avoiding cholesterol laden foods such as, eggs, cheeses, red meats, and choosing leafy, green vegetables, fresh fruit, and fish or skinless chicken breasts.

Exercise:

To raise HDL cholesterol levels, exercise.  Even moderate exercise such as walking for 20 minutes three or four times a week, have been shown to raise HDL levels in the blood.

Beta-Sitosterol:

Beta-Sitosterol, a healthy plant oil found in all vegetable matter, has been show to greatly reduce the absorption of LDL cholesterol in the digestive system, and decrease the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver.  Over eighteen studies have proven that beta-sitosterol can decrease cholesterol up to 42%.  

The key point to remember is, the lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk for coronary artery diseases.  

Low HDL cholesterol puts you at high risk for heart disease.  If you have low HDL cholesterol, you can help raise your levels by not smoking, losing weight (or maintaining healthy weight) being physically active for at least thirty to sixty minutes most, or all, days of the week.  Just remember that, though lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in your health and your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, genetics play an even bigger part.  If your genetics predispose you to having high HDL cholesterol levels and/or low LDL levels, you are going to have to be much more diligent in taking proactive steps such as taking a Beta-Sitosterol, supplement, exercising regularly, and concentrating on eating a low fat diet.