High Cholesterol is a very common diagnosis by doctors nowadays when dealing with patients. Cholesterol has been identified as to increase the risk of heart diseases. But what is Cholesterol at all?

Cholesterol is a substance produced by the human liver. The body produces Cholesterol to build up acids that help with the digestion of fat that we eat with our meals. Cholesterol is also supposed to build and repair cell. It is also part of the process to produce estrogens and the testosterone hormone. Most people affected by high Cholesterol have never heard of what Cholesterol is and what it does.

Cholesterol plays an important role for the human body. So, how can this substance turn itself into something that puts your health at danger? As with almost everything in life Cholesterol only does a good job when available in certain limits. If these limits get pushed high up (= high Cholesterol) it turns itself into something putting your health at risk. High Cholesterol has been proven to clog up arteries which again can lead to stroke and heart attack. Statistics show that about 500,000 of the US population die through heart disease related incidents. Once diagnosed with high Cholesterol and taking appropriate action the risk of heart attack can be reduced by up to 40%.

Cholesterol Symptoms

For most patients it is surprising to learn that there are no external visible symptoms to diagnose a high level of Cholesterol. A blood test is needed to identify high Cholesterol appropriately. However, if diagnosed with certain medical conditions it could be a sign of high Cholesterol. Those medical conditions include (but are not limited to) coronary disease, vascular disease or stroke.

How to lower high Cholesterol?

If a blood test shows that your cholesterol levels are too high, your doctor will recommend immediate action. Depending on the severity of the problem this can be a special diet combined with physical exercise or the use of medication. Overall the patient should start using a low Cholesterol diet and plan doing this for the long term. A low Cholesterol diet is based on food which is low in saturated fat. Food groups recommended to be used on a low Cholesterol diet include (but are not limited to) skinless poultry, lean meat, certain fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods and low fat dairy products.

Meals should be prepared by steaming, grilling, boiling or baking. Fried food items are to be avoided.

Blood tests to get the Cholesterol values are supposed to be done every 3 years for healthy people. Patients diagnosed with high Cholesterol will have to expect more frequent blood testing to verify success of medication and diet.

About the Author

Christoph Puetz is a successful entrepreneur and international book author. Christoph lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. One of the websites he maintains can be found at Health Portal Online.

Tags: cholesterol, health, heart attack, strokecholesterol, health, heart attack, stroke

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Typically assumed to inflict solely negative consequences, cholesterol is actually a necessary component of a healthy body. Cholesterol is a waxy substance in the blood, critical in the digestion of dietary fats, the building of cell walls and in manufacturing vitamins and hormones. One of the secrets to securing a healthy body, including a healthy liver, is to maintain an ideal balance of cholesterol levels.

If cholesterol levels are too high, a person is at risk for coronary artery disease, heart disease, a metabolic disorder or even liver disease. Embedded in vehicles known as lipoproteins, cholesterol is transported in the bloodstream to be used or excreted throughout the body. When these inhabitants of our blood become overpopulated, traffic jams can result, blocking subsequent blood flow in the vessels. Impeded circulation is a primary factor in most types of illness.

Cholesterol and the Liver
Excessive cholesterol in the blood can deposit plaques along the vessels, contributing to the development of atherosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries. While atherosclerosis is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, it can also have negative consequences on the liver. The relationship between the liver and blood cholesterol is multi-faceted:

Tags: cholesterol, hdl cholesterol, ldl cholesterol, liver health, triglyceridescholesterol, hdl cholesterol, ldl cholesterol, liver health, triglycerides

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The last thing on most parents mind is the possibility of their child having high cholesterol.

It would be a very wise decision to notice their consumption of junk food or should I say lack of healthy foods.

Studies have shown that atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries - the leading cause of heart disease — begins very early. It is recommended that children over the age of about 2 years, as well as all adults, adopt a heart-healthy eating pattern to reduce their risk of developing heart disease as adults. You can lower the risk for the both of you by maintaining a healthy weight and by being physically active.

You can help shape their dietary habits by making sure that they learn about healthy eating and educating them on the right foods.

Keep in mind that you have to set the example by choosing a healthy diet yourself.

One way of reforming your “Junk Food Junkies” is to prepare their snacks for them. Most children are looking for good tasting snacks and could care less if it’s healthy or not.

Try to buy healthy snacks, remember that they are mainly concerned about how the snack taste.

One way to encourage physical activity is to join them in an activity that’s fun for the both of you.

Consult your medical professional for advice on cholesterol screenings.

“The decisions you fail to make today, will determine your health tomorrow!”

Michael Flowers was diagnosed with high cholesterol over 10 years ago and has been able to keep it under control naturally by utilizing the methods he writes about his site http://www.you-and-your-cholesterol.com

Tags: children, cholesterol, diet, exercise, food, health, herbs, naturally, snacks, supplements, weightchildren, cholesterol, diet, exercise, food, health, herbs, naturally, snacks, supplements, weight

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