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Cholesterol is a fat like substance
that circulates in the blood and is produced by the body from
dietary cholesterol and saturated fats in food. Cholesterol
is not harmful if kept within acceptable limits.
It is used by the body to perform
a variety of vital functions, including building and maintaining
cell membranes, hormone synthesis, and the manufacture of Vitamin
D. It is only when blood cholesterol levels become too high,
that too much cholesterol can become a problem.
The body manufactures two types
of cholesterol - LDL (which is seen as a 'bad' form of cholesterol)
and HDL (which is seen as a 'good' form of cholesterol).
When LDL levels are too high, this
leads to a buildup of plaque in the arteries, with an increased
risk of heart attack and atherosclerosis. Healthy levels of HDL
will help to clean away cholesterol in the arteries before it
has a chance to build up.
In order to maintain healthy levels,
we need to keep the LDL levels down and the HDL levels up.
What are the symptoms of high
cholesterol?
High cholesterol levels often exist
without any significant symptoms and many people only discover
the problem after they have had heart problems like angina or
even a heart attack.
If your cholesterol levels are very
high, you may notice small yellow nodules beneath the skin of
your eyes, eyebrows or elbows. Although it is possible to do
a home test (obtainable from your pharmacy), these tests only
measure total blood cholesterol levels and do not measure HDL.
The best way to find out whether
you have high cholesterol levels is to visit your doctor, homeopath,
naturopath or other health care provider.
Healthy adults should have their
cholesterol levels measured at least every five years and more
frequently if they are overweight, already have a cholesterol
problem or if there is a family history of heart disease or high
cholesterol.
What causes high cholesterol
levels?
There is a definite link between
high cholesterol levels and a diet high in dietary cholesterol
and saturated fat, although genetic factors also play an important
role. Smoking, being overweight and insufficient exercise can
also contribute to high cholesterol levels.
How is it usually treated?
It is very important to take steps
to control your cholesterol levels. If it is left untreated,
high
cholesterol can result in heart disease or even stroke.
The good news is that high cholesterol
can be well controlled by combining a healthy lifestyle with
the correct medical treatment.
This can include synthetic prescription
medication, natural remedies or a combination of both. If you
are already taking prescription medication to control cholesterol
levels, it is important to consult your doctor before making
any changes.
Synthetic prescription medication
for high cholesterol
In response to soaring rates of
high cholesterol and atherosclerosis, the pharmaceutical companies
have produced a class of drugs which are collectively known as
'statins'.
The statins have a one dimensional
effect of reducing the body's ability to synthesize cholesterol.
They do not, however, distinguish between the 'bad' cholesterol
(LDL) and the 'good' cholesterol (HDL) and can also reduce levels
of Co-enzyme Q10 and L-carnitine, two very important molecules
which are involved in energy production and fat metabolism.
Myalgia and even stomach, lung and
liver tumors have also been associated with the use of these
drugs. It is very important that people who are taking prescription
medication for high
cholesterol be regularly monitored by their doctor.
Barbara Ritchie is a Registered
Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Counselor with more than 12
years experience. She runs her own private practice, For more
information about High Cholesterol remedies visit http://www.OurFamilysHealth.com/Cholesterol-FAQ
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