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.
home cleaning services Deerfield ..Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the healthiest of them... Read More
AgingHow did aging appeared?If mechanism of Death was chosen by... Read More
Heart disease results when plaque builds up inside the arterial... Read More
Fat is a nutrient that is a contributor to the... Read More
With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
For some people it is really hard to give up... Read More
Fad diets have been around for more than 50 years... Read More
During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More
I'm sure by now you've heard all about the amazing... Read More
The benefits from eating healthy are endless. And, according to... Read More
Endurance Sports are like music concerts. They start at a... Read More
They're not only good for you, but they taste good,... Read More
Originally, all foods were "organic" ? grown and prepared without... Read More
Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
What is nutrition? We hear so many reports today on... Read More
Olive oil is a healthy choice over other fats such... Read More
Have you seen those "fat free" foods in supermarkets? Have... Read More
Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More
Coq10 is also known as Coenzyme Q10.This co q10 is... Read More
This free list of fat burning foods will help you... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat when you... Read More
What ancient tribes and people of the Amazon have known... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
This is such a busy time of year, isn't it?... Read More
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous condition that can... Read More
recurring housekeeping Highland Park ..The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of... Read More
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More
Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
Finding simple ways to reduce my waistline is always a... Read More
Fats (triacylglycerols) ...Some basic terminology ...fat or fatty acid ...In... Read More
The subject of health care itself often seems plagued with... Read More
Soy, and most soy-based products, are nutritional powerhouses. Soybeans are... Read More
Organic farming is the production of food using all natural... Read More
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the... Read More
The word 'homeostasis' is made up of two Greek words:... Read More
In order for a person to actually have a healthy... Read More
First some terminology.Fructose ... a five carbon sugar that occurs... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
Toxic metals exist in our environment as pollutants in our... Read More
As you've probably heard before, your post-workout meal may very... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
I read a lot about the topics of health and... Read More
Most people understand that it is wise to limit the... Read More
Evidence for the importance of fruit and vegetable intake to... Read More
There are so many topics to discuss which affect our... Read More
I had finally come to a place in my life... Read More
"What exercises can I do to ?? As fitness professional... Read More
I'm always amazed at how many people seem to know... Read More
Essential Fatty Acids are oils, omega-3 and omega-6, that you... Read More
Nutrition |