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.
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..Have you ever watched someone who appears thin and healthy... Read More
The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a variety... Read More
Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes... Read More
Nuts of all kinds (I am talking peanuts, cashews etc)... Read More
Ambrotose? - the Nutritional Alphabet of the "Sweet Language of... Read More
Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a... Read More
Modern life can be stressful. There are so many concerns... Read More
The story of creation begins with water. Water is an... Read More
For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More
At any grocery store in North America right now, there... Read More
Evidence suggesting that alcohol is "cardio-protective" first appeared in the... Read More
The body is a marvelous creation, a carbon, oxygen combustion... Read More
Many people experience unpleasant reactions to foods they have eaten... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development... Read More
The concept isometric has been a part of the health... Read More
The topic of nutrition is one that is always present... Read More
There are a lot of very good reasons to eat... Read More
Health is the thing. And no matter how many ways... Read More
You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More
This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More
You may have noticed an ever-expanding choice of oils at... Read More
Carbohydrates have gotten a lot of bad press in the... Read More
1. Enjoy what you eatWhether someone is following the Atkins... Read More
cleaning help near Bannockburn .."It's not what you eat, it's what's eating you that... Read More
A flood of scientific evidence about fish oil points to... Read More
What I am also going to point out is the... Read More
I spent a few days at a resort in Mexico... Read More
The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news,... Read More
With so many people concerned about natural and organic foods... Read More
Obesity is epidemic in this country for both children and... Read More
It is believed that cane sugar was discovered before the... Read More
Did you know that much of our dry skin comes... Read More
I'm willing to bet you probably haven't heard the word... Read More
THE RISKWhen you consume food that's high in acid or... Read More
Modern life can be stressful. There are so many concerns... Read More
You really are what you eat. You are also very... Read More
Established in 1989 by Stephen DeFelice, "Foundation for Innovation in... Read More
The word 'homeostasis' is made up of two Greek words:... Read More
The natural antioxidants in Oat Bran can significantly reduce blood... Read More
For the executive, maintaining the much-needed balance between career, family,... Read More
Today we're shifting our focus from wealth to health. First... Read More
Carbohydrates - found in grains, breads, pasta, and sugar, as... Read More
Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and... Read More
Copyright ? 2004 priya shah Glutathione, the body's... Read More
The concept isometric has been a part of the health... Read More
In large part, you're in control of your health, not... Read More
Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always... Read More
Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More
Nutrition |