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| LDL |
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Review
Summary |
 By now, most of know that we have to keep our cholesterol levels low to maintain our heart health and reduce our risk of developing cardiovascular issues. Our findings show that being educated about the different aspects of cholesterol may enable individuals to keep their cholesterol levels on track. Many individuals when first confronted with their own rising cholesterol levels, wonder what it is, how it contributes to health, how it reduces health and what they may do to get it back into alignment.
There are actually four kinds of cholesterol – LDL, HDL, Triglycerides and Lp(a) Cholesterol. It is said to play a vital role in the human body, producing hormones to keep the endocrine system running, and bile to keep our digestion healthy; however, when levels of LDL cholesterol get out of control, it is said our risk for heart disease increases.
Most experts agree there are things we may do to keep cholesterol under control and get it back into check, such as losing weight, eating a diet low in fats and increased exercise. Also, the American Heart Association suggests eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits. This is because Plant Sterols have been shown to significantly reduce cholesterol. There are also medications which are used to lower LDL cholesterol; however, many individuals find them to be problematic, due to some potentially severe side effects, which we will discuss below. Let’s take a more in-depth look at LDL, or “bad” cholesterol.
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| Element at a Glance |
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In the body, LDL transports cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver to other tissues, where it is used to build hormones and create bile, as well as run other systems in the body. The body also gets cholesterol from dietary sources, which are absorbed through the intestines. LDL also controls cholesterol synthesis at some of these sites.
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| Element in Focus |
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While LDL cholesterol may play an important role in overall health, it is called “bad” cholesterol because too much of it may seriously impact heart health. However, it is not the cholesterol itself that is the problem, but where and how it is traveling through the body. LDL is carried thorough the blood by lipoproteins, but if there is too much in the bloodstream, it may build up along the walls of the arteries, thereby forming plaque with other fats. This plaque is a thick and hard mass that may constrict the arteries, making them less flexible. This is the beginnings of a disease called atherosclerosis, in which the heart and the brain get less oxygen, thereby increasing the chance of developing a heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
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| Lifestyle |
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It is said high levels of LDL may be lowered by diet a change, which includes reducing fat intake. Also, exercise has been shown to increase levels of good cholesterol, which is also known as HDL. However, some health care providers will prescribe pharmaceutical-grade medications to get LDL back on track. Statins are one of the most prescribed medications.
They work by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, a liver enzyme which controls cholesterol production. However, statins often have some intense side effects for some individuals, such as headaches, nausea and fever, as well as liver and muscle damage, which may be irreversible. These side effects have made this class of medication unpopular with many individuals.
Fortunately, there has also been a lot of success in using holistic supplements to lower LDL cholesterol. As noted earlier, Plant Sterols have been found to lower cholesterol levels. It may do this because it looks very much like cholesterol to the body, so the intestines will absorb it instead of the actual cholesterol, thereby significantly lowering the an individual’s levels of LDL.
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| Positives |
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• Create hormones and bile
• High levels may be reduced by lifestyle and holistic methods
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| Negatives |
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• Medications often have severe side effects for some people
• May increase risk for heart disease
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| Final Thoughts |
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LDL cholesterol is clearly a healthful element when found in the body in low or moderate levels, but high levels of LDL may significantly limit our heart health. Most experts agree it is important to keep them under control, and get them back in check when they get too high. As noted above, there are many lifestyle changes individuals may make to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. However, medication is also often prescribed, but these medications may have many serious and irreversible side effects.
There are also holistic options, such as Plant Sterols, which have been shown to generate results that are often in the same range as cholesterol-lowering drugs. In fact, many experts suggest eating foods rich in Plant Sterols, however, this may require eating a large, and often impossible amount of vegetables. But luckily, holistic supplements that contain a high grade and quantity of Plant Sterols have been found to be highly effective in lowering cholesterol.
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| Our
Editors Top Choice: |
Week
of: Tue Aug 31st, 2010 |
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CholesterClear®:
CholesterClear® -
Imagine lowering your Cholesterol levels while still being able to eat the foods you love. CholesterClear® is an awesome product which literally blocks the bad cholesterol from being absorbed by the body. It does this naturally and safely because it contains certified organic highly concentrated plant sterols which have been clinically proven to effectively block 42% of the cholesterol in your food from being digested. This substance has been approved by the FDA and American Medical Association as being effective in lowering and preventing high Cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels. With over 1200 published studies declaring it works, how can you go wrong with this? Prescriptions that fight Cholesterol levels also have some ugly negative side effects associated with them – so we recommend checking this product out because it has no side effects what-so-ever. Click Here to read our full review. |
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