How Does HDL Help the Heart?

According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, high HDL levels prevent plaque from forming on artery walls. Lipoprotein contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. These agents protect against the formation of plaque. Research has shown that increasing HDL levels will help with heart disease prevention. As a result, scientists are now testing HDL-boosting drugs.

Making Lifestyle Changes

A person’s lifestyle has the single greatest impact on HDL cholesterol amounts. When people have bad habits, they are likely to have lower amounts of HDL. To fix this problem, people must make lifestyle changes. Even small changes will help. In order to boost HDL numbers, people must do the following:

Eliminate the tobacco habit. A study done at John Hopkins University found that people who smoke have lower HDL amounts than non-smokers. The study also found that HDL levels rise within two weeks of quitting. Cutting the smoking habit can raise a person’s HDL level by nearly four points. Although difficult, eliminating a smoking habit is worth the effort.

Lose excess body fat. Aim for a score of 25 or below on the body mass index. People who are overweight have lower HDL levels than those who are not. Make losing weight a priority. Shedding extra weight improves HDL levels. For every six pounds lost, HDL levels increase by one point. Eliminating fat is especially important when excess weight is stored in the abdominal area.

Spend time performing physical activity. In order to raise HDL levels, people must burn at least 1,200 calories a week through exercise. Try to do at least 30 minutes of aerobics each day. Some examples of activities include running, biking and swimming. Participating in sports also counts. For example, a basketball game is a great form of physical activity.

Use healthier fats. Reducing the amount of Trans and saturated fat in a diet can increase good cholesterol. Not only that, but it also lowers bad cholesterol levels. Total daily calories should have less than seven percent of saturated fat. People should incorporate more monounsaturated fat in their diet. These fats are found in olive, peanut and canola oils. Monounsaturated fats improve the anti-inflammatory agents in HDL cholesterol.

Drink alcohol in moderation. Mild alcohol consumption can raise HDL levels. However, don’t have more than one or two drinks a day. Too much alcohol can lead to severe health problems. For instance, it can cause heart failure. When used properly, alcohol can be beneficial. As research has shown, a moderate amount of alcohol is linked to higher HDL levels.

Taking Medication

Besides making lifestyle changes, people can also take medication to boost their HDL cholesterol. Medications that are used to lower bad cholesterol may also increase good lipid totals. When prescribed medicine, always take it as directed. Some medications that help with cholesterol include Niacin, Fibrates and Statin.

Niacin is also known as vitamin B3. Research has shown that it may increase good cholesterol by 20 to 35 percent. However, it requires a high amount to get these benefits. As a result, niacin is classified as a drug. There are also some dietary supplements that contain niacin. People should talk to their doctor before seeking any of this medication.

Fibrates can increase HDL levels by 20 percent. This option includes fenofibrate and gemfibrozil. Speak with a pharmacist to see which brand provides the best quality. The medicine is meant for people who have a low amount of HDL. Overweight people, for instance, may benefit from taking this medication.

Statins are known for their ability to lower bad cholesterol. Along with that, certain types of the drug can raise HDL levels by nearly 15 percent. Statin blocks the liver from making cholesterol. As a result, the amount of cholesterol in a person’s liver is reduced. This even causes the liver to remove cholesterol from the blood.

Healthy Food Options

Some foods are great for blood cholesterol levels. If people make changes in their diet, they may see an increase in their HDL numbers. People should visit their doctor for a baseline cholesterol test. If their HDL levels are out of the normal range, they must make some dietary changes. The following foods are good to incorporate into a diet.

Soy can raise HDL totals by three percent. In addition, soy has been known to decrease the risk of coronary heart disease. While further studies need to be conducted, soy seems like a healthy option. Soy products are high in fiber. Not only that, but they are also low in saturated fats.

Add fiber to a diet. Soluble fiber lowers bad cholesterol. In addition, it also increases HDL numbers. Try to have at least two servings of soluble fiber a day. This fiber can be found in fruits, vegetables, oats and legumes.

Start eating cold-water fish. Products like salmon and mackerel can increase good cholesterol amounts. Since cold-water fish contains omega-3 fatty acid, it has numerous health benefits. Besides raising HDL amounts, cold-water fish can also reduce triglyceride levels. Studies have shown that higher amounts of omega-3 can prevent arthritis, cancer and heart disease. People should also know that nuts are a really good source of omega-3.

Replace soda with cranberry juice. A British study found that drinking three cups of cranberry juice a day can increase HDL amounts by 21 percent. This is especially good for those who dislike alcohol. Cranberry juice contains quite a few antioxidants. In order to get these benefits, make sure to buy 100 percent juice instead of the cocktail kind. Juice cocktail has too much sugar.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NLHBI), the recommended goal for LDL should range from 100 mg/dl to 160 mg/dl. However, this depends on other health problems present as well as whether you are in the low, moderate or high risk category.

Many factors such as nutrition, lifestyle, hereditary, gender and age may contribute to high blood cholesterol levels. While some of these factors are uncontrollable, one of the main causes within your control is your diet since some foods are high in cholesterol, saturated fats and Trans fatty acids or Trans fats. If you have a high blood cholesterol problem, understanding and knowing the foods that may raise your LDL is a good step in managing this health condition. Avoiding or limiting the foods that are high in cholesterol is recommended to help lower and control your elevated cholesterol problem.

Foods High in Cholesterol

Many of the foods that are high in cholesterol are from animal sources and they may include:

Eggs

As one of the popular breakfast and baking items, whole eggs offer many good nutrients but eating too many may raise your cholesterol levels. It is recommended that you eat one egg daily and use egg whites and other egg substitutes if you need to add more.

Saturated Fats

Foods that are high in saturated fats and that cause raised levels of cholesterol are usually fatty cuts of meat, dairy and some oils. They include:

• Meats cuts with high fat content – the tenderloin, brisket, porterhouse and top loin and steak cuts such as the rib eye and flank;
• Processed meats – salami, pastrami, hotdogs and bacon;
• Organ meats – liver, kidney, sweetbread and intestines;
• Poultry – duck and goose;
• Luncheon and canned meats.

You should avoid consuming organ meats which are extremely high in cholesterol levels and limit fatty meat cuts. Instead, eat leaner sections of beef, pork, lamb and veal as well as skinless turkey and chicken.

Dairy products such as whole milk, sour cream, ice cream, butter and lard that use full fat also have high cholesterols levels. Cheeses and yogurt made with 2% dairy fat are prime sources of LDL. Use 1% dairy, skim milk or soy and limit your consumption of whole milk.

Oils rich in saturated fats are usually the tropical types such as coconut and palm. You should use unsaturated fats and healthy oils, including olive, canola and sunflower.

Trans-fatty Acids

Trans fats may be found in oils and fats as well as many processed foods that use these ingredients. In the process of making margarines, cooking oils and shortening, hydrogenation occurs, which leads to Trans fats or hydrogenated products. According to the American Heart Association, limiting Trans fats to 1% of total caloric consumption is recommended. If you see hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils listed in the ingredients, you should be aware that these are also Trans fats.

A significant number of baked and processed foods such as cookies, donuts, pies and muffins are prepared using shortening and margarine. During the process, hydrogenation occurs as the fats go through chemical processing. Since many baked, commercially fried and fast foods use these oils, you may be jeopardizing your health by increasing your high cholesterol levels. Instead, you should limit your consumption of fried, baked and processed foods.

Identifying Foods High in Cholesterol

Reading and understanding the nutritional information on food labels and packaging are important to recognizing ingredients that are high in cholesterol. Look out for the milligrams per serving size located below the fat content line. Other names such as hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated may be used and be careful of labels that indicate each serving has 0 grams of Trans fat but hydrogenated oils are included. If you see “cholesterol free” on the label, it usually means less than 2 mg of cholesterol with fat being less than 2 grams and “low cholesterol” refers to less than 20 mg of cholesterol and saturated fat is less than 2 grams.

Using Diet to Treat and Lower High Cholesterol Levels

As part of the lifestyle changes to help lower your cholesterol level, diet plays an important role. By avoiding certain foods high in cholesterol and following certain daily dietary guidelines you may lower your high cholesterol, enjoy a healthy diet as well as improve your overall wellbeing. The National Cholesterol Education Program and the NHLBI recommend some useful guidelines for the diet aspect of the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC). This involves low cholesterol and low saturated fat dietary plan that includes:

• Consuming fewer than 200 mg of cholesterol each day;
• Eating about 30% of calories from total fats with approximately 7% from saturated fats;
• Including plenty fruits and vegetables in your diet;
• Eating foods rich in soluble fibers such as legumes, grains and vegetables;
• Limiting the number of alcohol beverages daily to one for women or two for men.

The problem of high cholesterol is a growing concern with the increase in unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits, consumption of processed foods and eating out at fast food stores and restaurants. With heart disease and other serious health risks that high cholesterol levels may cause, addressing this issue is of utmost importance. However, if you have information on the foods that are high in cholesterol, you are better able to make wise choices regarding your dietary needs. Effective treatment for high cholesterol levels involves changing your diet even if drug therapy is recommended.

Once cholesterol is created or digested, it combines with proteins that help transport it to different body parts. Cholesterol and proteins can combine to form high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or low-density lipoproteins (LDL). These two types of lipoproteins have very different effects on health. LDL cholesterol is more likely than HDL cholesterol to clog blood vessels and lead to stroke or heart attack. HDL cholesterol is actually good for the body because it removes harmful cholesterol from the bloodstream and takes it back to the liver, where it is processed for elimination.

High LDL cholesterol levels are cause for concern. High levels of this type of cholesterol form plaque deposits on the body’s arterial walls. Eventually, the build up of plaque narrows and hardens the arteries, reducing blood flow. When this occurs in the coronary arteries, an individual is at greater risk for having a heart attack. The condition can also affect the brain’s blood vessels and increase the risk of having a stroke. Plaque build-up can additionally affect the blood’s ability to reach other organs like the intestines and kidneys.

Although it may not seem like much, an increase of just 100 additional milligrams of cholesterol each day can lead to dangerous levels of LDL cholesterol. All foods that come from animals contain cholesterol. For instance, one serving of braised beef contains over 50 milligrams of cholesterol; one serving of liver contains 325 milligrams of cholesterol; one large egg contains approximately 185 milligrams of cholesterol, and one-half of a roasted chicken breast contains 75 milligrams of cholesterol.

The good news is that there are also foods that can lower the level of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Studies suggest that following a healthy diet that consists of cholesterol-lowering foods can reduce LDL cholesterol by 13 percent. Many study participants saw significant results by making only small changes in their diets. If you have high cholesterol, adding the following foods to your diet can help lower levels of LDL, the harmful type of cholesterol that can cause heart disease and other problems.

You can start your day by lowering cholesterol through eating a bowl of oatmeal or oat-based cereal. Oats are a great source of soluble fiber, a nutrient that removes cholesterol from the body before it enters the bloodstream. Try topping your oatmeal with strawberry or banana slices for even more cholesterol-lowering fiber.

Beans are another good source of soluble fiber. They can also help you lose weight because digesting them takes longer than other foods. This means that you will feel fuller for longer after eating a meal that contains beans. Try adding black-eyed peas, lentils, garbanzo beans or kidney beans to a salad or soup.

Eating peanuts, walnuts, almonds and other nuts can also lower your cholesterol. Eating just two ounces every day can lower LDL by five percent. Grab a handful of nuts instead of potato chips for a delicious and nutritious snack.

Although soybeans and soy products do no lower cholesterol as much as was once believed, they do lower LDL by about five to six percent when consumed regularly. If tofu is too exotic for your taste, try adding one cup of soy milk to your cereal each morning.

Consuming fatty fish two to three times a week can lower LDL cholesterol by replacing meat and by giving the body a good dose of omega-3 fats. These fats combat cholesterol and contribute to a healthy cardiovascular system. Instead of dining on beef or chicken, try substituting the meat for mackerel, halibut, salmon, herring, albacore tuna or sardines.

According to the medical journal Diabetes Care, consuming just half a teaspoon of cinnamon each day can reduce both blood sugar levels and levels of LDL cholesterol. Adding this small amount of the spice to your morning oatmeal can also reduce the level of triglycerides in the blood stream, leading to better heart health.

Eating an apple a day may not keep the doctor away entirely, but it can lower levels of LDL cholesterol. The soluble fiber found in apples can draw cholesterol out of the bloodstream. These fruits make a delicious topping for oatmeal or can be enjoyed on their own as a sweet and crunchy snack.

Brown rice is packed with fiber, B vitamins, magnesium and oil that can lower cholesterol. Try substituting brown rice for white and topping it with beans for a double dose of cholesterol-lowering power.

While the American Dietetic Association stops short of calling this foods ‘magic,’ the association does admit they are pretty close to it. The foods have also been endorsed as cholesterol-lowering by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Making simple changes to your diet by consuming these foods can have a significant impact on your cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of developing heart disease and keep you healthier. As an added plus, dining on fatty fish, oatmeal, apples and nuts is far more delicious than taking a cholesterol medication with a glass of water.

Sources:

• 11 Foods that Lower Cholesterol. Harvard Medical Center
• Cholesterol-Lowering Foods Reduce LDL Levels More than Low-Fat Foods. ABC News
• Cholesterol: Top 5 Foods to Lower Your Numbers. The Mayo Clinic
• Top 10 Cholesterol Lowering Foods. BlissTree
• What is Cholesterol? TeensHealth

Here is a sample 1 Day Cholesterol Lowering Diet Menu

• Breakfast time: 1 mug granola cereal, ½ mug skim milk, ¼ mug fresh blueberries, 8 ounces. coffee, black, 6 ounces. orange juice.
• Lunch time: 2 slices turkey on wheat grains bread, 1 slice tomato, 1 leaf romaine lettuce, ½ mug seedless grapes, 10 baked tortilla chips with ¼ mug salsa, 8 ounces. Diet soda.
• Snack food: 6 baby carrots, ¼ mug low-fat ranch dressing, 2 low-fat graham crackers, 8 ounces. water.
• Dinner time: 8 ounces. grilled salmon fillet, 1 cob corn seasoned with ¼ tsp pepper and salt, ½ mug cooked brown rice, 1 slice wheat grains bread, fruit salad, 8 ounces glass water. To organize the salmon: Mix 2 T. essential olive oil, One tsp . honey, One tsp . fresh dill and juice of just one lemon. Brush over each side of salmon and grill until pink and flaky.

Eat Lots of Cholesterol-Lowering Protein

Your diet should be rich in nuts, soy and legumes. These foods have shown to be effective in lowering LDL cholesterol, so the more you eat of them, the better your cholesterol levels will be. You can buy most of these foods in your local supermarket, and as a bonus, soy products such as tofu are usually cheaper to buy than meat.

Have Oatmeal or Bran Cereal for Breakfast

Oatmeal, bran and whole grains lower cholesterol by lowering the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed into your blood stream rather than eliminated with other waste products. The higher the amount of fiber you eat, the more you can lower your cholesterol. Have a serving of oatmeal for breakfast with bananas for a cholesterol-lowering start to the day. Instead of pre-packaged instant oatmeal, however, which has lots of sugar and may not have as much fiber, try adding your favorite fruits to rolled oats after cooking them on the stove. You can also eat cold bran cereal or other whole grain cold cereals for breakfast in order to lower cholesterol.

Eat Salmon and Tuna Three Times a Week

Tuna, salmon and other freshwater fish contain omega-3 fatty acids. These fish are good for both your heart and brain; they reduce blood pressure and cholesterol in addition to protecting against depression and degenerative brain disease. Eating tuna and salmon can also protect you against heart attacks and strokes.

When you eat these fish, be careful not to counteract their cholesterol lowering tendencies by adding a lot of butter, mayonnaise or other fats. Get the fish whole rather than canned whenever possible and bake or grill it. If you do fry your fish, use canola oil for an extra helping of omega-3 fatty acids.

Cook With Olive Oil

Olive oil is another oil that should be part of a healthy, cholesterol-lowering diet. According to the Mayo Clinic, olive oil helps lower your LDL cholesterol levels without lowering the HDL cholesterol levels that you need for optimum health. Current FDA guidelines recommend that you ingest about two tablespoons of olive oil per day to protect against LDL cholesterol problems. You can cook with it, put it on top of salads or even put it in oatmeal as a replacement for butter. However, you should be careful not to overdo how much oil you use, as it is still high in calories. Use extra virgin olive oil for a boost to your heart, as this oil is less processed than other types of olive oil.

Things to Avoid

According to Boston.com, eating the right foods to lower cholesterol is more important to your low-cholesterol diet than avoiding foods that are high in LDL cholesterol such as eggs and red meat. However, you still should avoid certain foods; eating lots of nuts, soy, oatmeal and fish doesn’t mean you can eat red meat and eggs with impunity and suffer no effects.

In general, you should limit your consumption of saturated fats and trans fats to avoid problems with your LDL cholesterol. Saturated fats are found in many meats, particularly red meat such as beef and pork. Keep your red meat consumption to one or two servings per week to avoid raising your LDL cholesterol.

Eggs have been implicated in cholesterol problems for years; chicken egg yolks contain saturated fats and cholesterol. You can safely eat eggs three times a week if you follow other dietary guidelines to help lower your LDL cholesterol levels. In order to lower your cholesterol as well as cut back your calories, consider eating egg whites instead of full eggs. You can separate eggs and make egg salads, scrambled eggs and other egg recipes using just the white of the egg, which contains very little fat and very few calories. You can also buy egg substitute in supermarkets and can make mock eggs with tofu if you are concerned about eggs’ effect on your cholesterol. Eating tofu is a particularly good choice since soy lowers LDL cholesterol levels.

Finally, although butter contains saturated fat and should be used sparingly, you should use butter rather than margarine in most cases. Most brands of margarine contain trans fats, which have been shown to increase LDL cholesterol levels and decrease HDL cholesterol levels–the opposite of what you need for optimal health. Check the labels of cookie and cracker packages as well, as these snacks are sometimes made with margarine instead of butter and contain trans fats.

If you follow these dietary guidelines, you should be able to lower your cholesterol naturally. You may need medication to help keep your cholesterol level under control, but you should need less medication if you eat a diet that lowers LDL cholesterol.

When it comes to heart disease, high cholesterol levels are one of the most significant factors. Those with high cholesterol great increase their risk of suffering from heart disease or having a heart attack. Cholesterol, which is a fat like substance found in the blood, can build up on arteries. When cholesterol levels are too high, this buildup can lead to hardening of the arteries.

When this happens, the body’s arteries become more narrow which in turn decreases the amount of blood that reaches the heart. When less blood travels to the heart, the heart struggles to get enough oxygen, but often fails. When this happens, individuals will often feel chest pains; one of the first signs of a heart attack or serious heart disease.

High cholesterol is hard to diagnose as many individuals don’t suffer from symptoms. As a result, it can be vital to have your cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis. High cholesterol levels can occur regardless of age or body type.

If you find that your cholesterol levels are too high, you’ll need to make a serious change. While eating alone won’t fix your cholesterol levels, sticking to a healthy diet can certainly increase your chances of getting your cholesterol levels back down to a healthy level. When combined with exercise and other positive life changes, eating foods that lower cholesterol can leave you healthier and lower your risk of heart disease.

Fortunately, abundant research has been done on the topic; certain foods have been shown to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Below are a few recipes that anyone with high cholesterol can benefit from. Remember, combine the healthy eating with exercise and healthy life habits. If you do, you’ll be well on your way to lowering your cholesterol levels!

Blueberry Walnut Salad:

Not only does this recipe contain foods that will help lower cholesterol, it’s also delicious and perfect for all occasions.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of walnuts
• 10 ounce bag of greens, mixed salad
• 1 pint blueberries
• 1/4 cup of feta cheese (crumbled)
• 1/2 cup salad dressing – raspberry vinaigrette

Preparation:
Combine salad greens, blueberries, walnuts, and raspberry vinaigrette in large bowl, toss. Next, cover with feta cheese and enjoy!

Smoked Turkey Tortilla Wraps:

Perfect for lunch or dinner, these enjoyable wraps are a lifesaver for cholesterol levels.

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour tortillas – 10
• 1 peeled, sliced, and pitted avocado
• 10 slices of smoked turkey cut into thin strips
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup of sour cream

Preparation:

1. First, place flour tortillas in a skillet over medium heat until they look light brown.
2. Next, place turkey strips, cheese, sour cream, and avocado across tortillas.
3. Fold, serve, and enjoy!

BBQ Chicken Salad:

For chicken lovers, this recipe is a real winner. Combine that with its cholesterol lowering capabilities and it’s a hit!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise – fat free
• 4 chopped celery stalks
• 2 boneless chicken breast, skinless halves
• 1 large diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 diced red onion
• 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce
• 1 can drained sweet corn

Preparation:

1. For best results, prepare on grill. Preheat grill on high heat.
2. Lightly oil grate and then grill chicken for about ten minutes making sure that each side gets an equal amount of grilling time.
3. Remove chicken from heat and allow to cool.
4. Cube chicken.
5. Take a large bowl and combine chicken, onion, corn, celery, and red bell pepper. Toss.
6. Mix BBQ sauce and mayonnaise in small bowl.
7. Pour BBQ sauce and mayonnaise mix over chicken and vegetables. Stir.
8. Chill, serve, and devour!

For more great, low cholesterol recipes, visit All Recipes.

In addition to finding great recipes that help lower cholesterol, committing to an exercise regime can also help lower cholesterol. Too often, individuals balk at committing to exercising on a daily basis; it can difficult to find the time and energy. Fortunately, you don’t have to purchase a gym membership to have a good exercise regime; there are small changes you can make to allow yourself more exercise.

Instead of taking the elevator at work, take the stairs. Instead of driving to the mailbox, walk. When watching TV in the evening, cut your time short by 20 minutes to do a few simple, easy exercises before bed. For more ideas, visit this link.

Not only will lowering your cholesterol make you feel healthier, it could also save your life.

Alcohol Intake

The good news is that it is not necessary to stop drinking alcohol to lower cholesterol. However, drinking in moderation is advisable. One to two drinks per day is the current recommended daily intake for Americans. For those who already drink, these spare drinks can actually lower the risk of getting heart disease. Drinking much more than that can increase that risk. Preliminary studies have suggested that consumption of red wine can raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol because they contain polyphenols. These also exist in grape juice, however. Those who do not drink alcohol may want to opt for grape juice.

Replace Meats with Fatty Fish

Omega 3 fatty acids are a great benefit of fatty seafood. These fatty acids are linked to brain and heart health. Conversely, meats, particularly red meats, are linked to higher bad cholesterol levels. Meats do not have to be eliminated from one’s diet. However, reducing intake of meats can certainly lower cholesterol. In fact, it is one of the most important steps to lowering cholesterol. A particularly good fish to replace meat with is salmon.

Lower Cholesterol Intake

This one goes without saying. However, many people consume foods and do not know what they contain. Check labels and keep even good proteins like salmon to a minimum — just a few — about six — ounces per day.

According to one study, a cholesterol lowering diet has more of an impact on men’s heart health than on women’s heart health. Men can significantly decrease their risk of heart disease simply by eating a diet that aims at lowering cholesterol. Therefore, this step in lowering cholesterol appears to be one of the most important. 200 mg of cholesterol or less per day is a good goal.

Oils and Butter

It is much better to cook with oils than with butter. However, neither is good. When possible, skip any oil or butter. Use the natural juices from foods to keep them moist and prevent them from sticking. Use liquids like wine and juices to give food flavor without significantly increasing bad cholesterol intake. The most important oils to avoid are those that contain saturated fat. This is when checking a label comes in handy.

Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

It has been shown that diets that contain fresh fruits and vegetables can lower cholesterol by as much as 15 percent. These foods have so many other benefits that it is advisable to eat at least four servings of them every day, regardless of the cholesterol situation. Avoid cooking these foods in unhealthy oils and butter, as increases in those foods can override the benefits of the fruits and vegetables.

Eat Whole Grains

Anything with carbohydrates has gained a bad reputation over the past few years. This reputation is only partly earned. Foods with whole grains contain carbohydrates. However, they are also high in fiber and low in cholesterol when cooked healthily. Brown rice, wheat pastas and wheat breads should stand in for white versions of these foods in a cholesterol lowering diet.

Lose Weight and Exercise

Losing 5-10 pounds can be the equivalent of going on a low cholesterol diet. That is because being overweight can increase cholesterol levels. If there is no extra weight to lose, regular exercise can still help. Some studies indicate that 10 minutes of good exercise will increase good cholesterol by 1.4 mg. Exercise is best at lowering cholesterol when it is coupled with a good diet.

Herbs

There are certain herbs and spices that are said to lower cholesterol. However, it is very important to discuss herbal supplements with a doctor. They have the potential to cause unwanted side effects. This is particularly true for people who are already on medication for high blood pressure or any other health condition. For example, garlic can lower cholesterol, but it can also thin the blood and should not be taken with blood thinners. A doctor can say whether the herb will be safe and how much is too much.

Lifestyle changes can be hard to make, but once established are easy to make part of a daily routine. These lifestyle changes can mean the difference between health and illness or even life and death. Take these steps to lower cholesterol and it should drop relatively quickly. It is also cheaper and more convenient to implement changes than it is to visit doctors frequently and take medication.

Does cheese have a lot of cholesterol in it?
It depends on the type of cheese. Some types of cheese are not only high in cholesterol, but also high in saturated fat. Saturated fat is something that can also raise blood cholesterol levels.

Does cheddar cheese have less cholesterol than other types of cheese?
It depends. A person should opt for low fat cheddar cheese because it contains much less saturated fat and cholesterol than other types of cheese.

It seems like it is best to reduce the intake of cheese in general, what are some ways that I can do that?
There are several ways that a person can reduce his or her cheese intake. One way is to hold the cheese on burgers and sandwiches. Another way is to opt for cheese free dishes, such as pizza and spaghetti. Additionally, eating more fruits, grains, and vegetables will also help a person reduce his or her cheese intake.

Why is it important for a person to have his or her creatinine levels checked regularly?
The reason a person needs to have his or her creatinine levels checked regularly is because the amount of creatinine in the blood is an indication of how well the kidneys are functioning.

What are normal creatinine levels?
Normal creatinine levels fall between 0.6 to 1.2 milliliters in males, and 0.5 to 1.1 in females.

What can cause a person’s creatinine levels to be to low?
Malnutrition, weight loss, and certain illnesses can cause a person’s creatinine levels to drop below normal.

What can cause a person’s creatinine levels to be elevated?
When there is something wrong with a person’s kidneys, it can raise his or her creatinine levels. Illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure can contribute to this.

Are there any symptoms associated with high creatinine levels?
Some individuals have no symptoms at all, but when there are symptoms present the following are the most common: dehydration, fatigue, shortness of breath, and confusion. If a person has any of those symptoms, it is important that he or she see a doctor immediately.

What are normal triglyceride levels?
Normal triglyceride levels are below 150. Bordeline high is 150-199, high is 200-499, and very high is over 500.

What causes a person’s triglyceride levels to be elevated?
Obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, and a diet that is high in fat may cause a person’s triglyceride levels to be elevated.

What are some of the symptoms that may be present when someone has high triglycerides.
A person who has high triglycerides is usually asymptomatic. If a person does have symptoms, he or she will see fatty deposits underneath the skin.

How will I know If I have high triglycerides?
Since a person with this condition rarely shows any symptoms, the only way to know for sure is to see one’s doctor and get a blood test.

What are some things that can be done to lower triglyceride levels?
A doctor may prescribe a medication that will lower triglyceride levels, but there are quite a few things that a person can do that will reduce his or her triglyceride levels. Eating healthy and exercising can help a person reduce his or her levels.

What causes levels the level of bilirubin to rise?
An increased breakdown of red blood cells can raise the levels of bilirubin slightly. The use of drugs can cause a moderate rise in bilirubin levels. Chemotherapy, Cirrhosis, and hepatitis can raise the level of bilirubin to a dangerously high level. Additionally, frequent alcohol use also raises bilirubin levels.

Is there any long term damage associated with a high bilirubin level?
A high bilirubin level can lead to a condition called jaundice. This is a liver disease that is characterized by yellow eyes and yellow skin.

What are some of the symptoms of high bilirubin levels?
The symptoms of a high bilirubin level include: yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, vomiting, and fatigue.
How can high bilirubin levels be treated?
The treatment depends on what is causing the high bilirubin levels. Some possible treatments are prescription medication and a liver transplant.

How long does it take bilirubin levels to go down?
It depends on how well the individual responds to the treatment. Doctors will continuously monitor the patient until his or her levels return to normal.