High Cholesterol Doesn’t Have To Be A Permanent Condition
It’s estimated that at least half of all Americans have either high or borderline cholesterol levels. These elevated levels will put you at a much higher risk of experiencing a stroke or heart attack.
Cholesterol is naturally produced within the liver. It creates some types of hormones, forms cell membranes and helps in the body’s digestion of fats. All of the body’s cells contain cholesterol as well as the bloodstream, brain, muscles, nerves and skin.
On top of the cholesterol that is naturally produced in the body, we consume additional amounts in many of the foods we eat. Other factors that can play a role in high cholesterol are age, weight, heredity and even stress.
Our bodies naturally contain two types of cholesterol, HDL is called the good cholesterol, while LDL is bad cholesterol. Cholesterol is taken back to the liver to be broken down by HDL, while LDL carries it away from the liver and into the bloodstream.
When excessive amounts of cholesterol are present in the bloodstream, it adheres to the vessel walls and hardens the arteries restricting the amount of blood flow to the heart and brain and increasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
High cholesterol and the increased risks attributed to it can be reversed. Lowering your levels is often only a matter of eating a diet low in cholesterol, losing weight and adding a exercise routine.
Reducing saturated fats in your daily diet and eating foods that lower cholesterol, such as fish, oats, whole grains and yogurt can assist you in bringing your levels under control.
If the liver is over producing cholesterol or it’s hereditary, then it will take more than a change in diet and lifestyle. You and your doctor can discuss the medications available and decide on which is best for your.
There are other factors that increase the risks of heart attacks and strokes, but elevated cholesterol is one thing that you can actually have some control over. If you’ve been diagnosed with high or borderline cholesterol start making those basic changes that might extend your life by years!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.