What can you tell me about Cholesterol? #1

Natural Approaches to HDL, LDL and Total Cholesterol

It’s that time of year when consumers buckle down and try to reduce. They want to cut calories, frivolous spending and bad habits. In the past, one of the yearly New Year’s goals may have been to reduce all forms of cholesterol; however, this is not the case anymore as the complexity of cholesterol is continually being explored in medical journals and doctors’ offices. Research has taught us the error of thinking that “getting the numbers down” is the only cholesterol goal. Not all cholesterol is unhealthy; in fact, some even need to work to balance their levels.

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in the bloodstream. It aids biological functions, such as the production of hormones, and is an essential component of cell membranes. It’s measured in three ways: high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total. LDL cholesterol is known as the "bad" or “lousy” cholesterol. When too much of it circulates in the blood, it can clog arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. LDL cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, but many people’s genes tell their bodies to make too much. Others can’t blame their parents because diets rich in saturated fat, trans fats and dietary cholesterol also increase LDL levels.

HDL, termed “good” or “healthy” cholesterol, helps keep LDL cholesterol from getting lodged into artery walls. A healthy level of HDL may also protect against heart attack and stroke, while low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women) have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.

Cholesterol is either made by the body or consumed from food. The liver and other cells make about 75 percent of blood cholesterol found in the human body; the other 25 percent comes from eating animal products. For many Americans—102 million, according to the American Heart Association—total cholesterol is too high.

Consumers are starting to understand the differences between total, HDL and LDL, and learning how too much of one type—or not enough of another—can put them at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol screenings measure levels of HDL and LDL. If HDL is too low or LDL is too high, health care professionals may prescribe getting regular physical activity, quitting smoking, reducing trans fat consumption and eating a balanced, nutritious diet. If those don’t work, they may write a prescription for a statin, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor) or rosuvastatin (Crestor).

http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/articles/2010/12/natural-approaches-to-hdl-ldl-and-total-cholesterol.aspx

http://www.depsyl.com/

http://back2basicnutrition.com/

http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com/