What is Cholesterol?
Before we go into how to reduce your cholesterol, let's take a look at what exactly cholesterol is.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is produced by the liver and its job is to:-
? produce bile acids to help with the digestion of fat
? build and repair cells and
? produce estrogens and testosterone hormones
Therefore cholesterol is an important function of the body, but too much cholesterol in the body becomes a risk as it can clog up arteries and this can be the cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Cholesterol Symptoms
It is surprising to learn that there are virtually no symptoms to diagnose if you have high cholesterol. High cholesterol is normally identified by a blood test.
However, if you are having health issues such as coronary disease, vascular disease or stroke, then this could be the end result of high cholesterol levels in your body.
Symptoms of:
Coronary Disease
? Angina
? Chest pains
? Nausea
? Shortness of breath
Vascular Disease
? A tightening sensation in the lower extremities
? Ulcers or open sores on the lower extremities
Stroke
? loss of balance and dizziness
? slurring of speech and difficulty in understanding
? numbing sensation of the face, arm or leg
? this can be a sudden event with little or no warning
People who are overweight and do no exercise at all tend to be the ones with higher cholesterol levels.
Therefore, it is recommended that you have a cholesterol blood test every three years if you are overweight and every 5 years if you are a normal healthy weight.
How to Lower Cholesterol
If your blood test shows that your cholesterol levels are too high, then you should take immediate measures to help lower your cholesterol. Your doctor will advise you on the best course of action, but initially it is the norm for you to follow a low cholesterol diet.
A low cholesterol diet is normally a diet which is low in saturated fat and will include eating:-
? skinless poultry
? lean meats
? fish and shellfish
? low fat dairy products
? fruit
? vegetables
? whole grain foods
Cook your food by either
? grilling
? baking
? steaming
? boiling
? poaching
? microwave
Do not fry your food in lard or oil.
Your doctor also might prescribe you with a cholesterol lowering medication if he/she feels that the low cholesterol diet will not be enough.
Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of http://www.lower-your-cholesterol.info website where you can find further information and resources on lowering your cholesterol.
tidy up service Northbrook ..BASIC MEAL & MENU PLANNINGAs a basis for meals and... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing my 6-month old... Read More
Coke, more commonly known as cocaine is a highly addictive... Read More
So, what is new about this that you already don't... Read More
You can trust me that I make sure to take... Read More
Summer is the time when we sweat highly and beating... Read More
With the release of the new dietary guidelines, in the... Read More
If you want to build muscle, lose body fat or... Read More
What is the Atkins diet and how can it help... Read More
Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More
If you do not take time to stand back at... Read More
During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More
Did you know that much of our dry skin comes... Read More
Because all of us have been brought up eating junk... Read More
It is often taken as a given fact that soy... Read More
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous condition that can... Read More
You are what you eat is a simple, time tested... Read More
Diets don't work. If they did the U.S. of A.... Read More
The topic of nutrition is one that is always present... Read More
According to the National Institute of Health, Magnesium is needed... Read More
Tired of having stare-downs with those boxes of Krispy Kremes,... Read More
The research in support of dietary omega-3 fatty acids (such... Read More
In today's world, there's a definite need to be proactive... Read More
reliable home cleaners Buffalo Grove ..It is ironic how something as obvious as nutrition has... Read More
Water is the most abundant substance in the human body.... Read More
Evidence suggesting that alcohol is "cardio-protective" first appeared in the... Read More
There are a lot of very good reasons to eat... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
Magnesium is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions... Read More
Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
It is amazing to be able to say I am... Read More
Diets don't work. If they did the U.S. of A.... Read More
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More
There are basically four major components, or essential molecular components... Read More
Our bodies are truly incredible machines. What makes cells healthy?... Read More
Have you seen those "fat free" foods in supermarkets? Have... Read More
Arthritis - if you suffer from this illness, I don't... Read More
You would probably think that I was writing a lot... Read More
The question most people think they need an answer to... Read More
A fictional overheard conversation at a Thelma's Fine Dining.Hi, I'm... Read More
The Zone Diet has been around since around 1995, when... Read More
Because of consumer demand, the food industry focus is on... Read More
So, what is new about this that you already don't... Read More
In large part, you're in control of your health, not... Read More
It is always amazing to me when I find a... Read More
We've heard it not only once or twice or even... Read More
Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?Communication! It permeates our... Read More
Female and male athletes respond to training in a fairly... Read More
Nutrition |