Cholesterol is a substance produced by the body that is
necessary for our survival. It helps to maintain proper brain and nervous system
function, make hormones and produce bile acids, which break down fat. The body
only produces about two grams of cholesterol a day but cholesterol levels become
excessive when too much fat is consumed. The body does use cholesterol to
digest fats from food, build cell walls, and produce sex hormones.
However, in excess, cholesterol can injure blood vessels, causing a
cardiovascular or cerebral crisis.
The fat in a diet usually is converted to low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol which carries fat to the different organs. When there is too much LDL in the bloodstream or the LDL has been exposed to oxygen free radicals, it
then quickly collects along the arterial walls leaving fatty deposits that build
up and clog the arteries. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is produced less
readily and is referred to as “good” cholesterol because it tends to reduce LDL
and does not cling to arterial walls.
Eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol found only in animal products is
the primary way to throw off the natural balance of HDL and LDL cholesterol in the body. However, several other factors can influence one’s
cholesterol levels:
* Stress. Although studies don’t show a direct relationship between stress and
cholesterol levels, experts believe that many individuals under stress try to
relieve that stress by eating high-fat comfort foods that raise blood
cholesterol levels.
* Age and gender. Not only do cholesterol levels tend to rise with age, but
women also tend to experience an increase in LDL cholesterol levels after
menopause.
* Weight. Excess weight tends to increase blood cholesterol levels.
* Exercise. Regular physical activity may not only lower LDL but also raise HDL.
* Heredity. High cholesterol often runs in families.
Narrowing of the arteries occurs throughout the body but is quite often thought
of as only affecting the heart. The legs are also affected, clogging the
interior veins leaving the exterior veins to circulate the blood. When the
surface veins are stripped to repair the heart, deep venous thrombosis occurs. Thus through surgery, the problem may be compounded.
Most Americans probably know long before then that cholesterol can wreak havoc
on the heart. However, many don’t realize that chunks of hardened cholesterol
also can lay waste to the brain. As fatty cholesterol accumulates on the
walls of arteries leading from the heart, blood flow slows down or stops
altogether on its way to refresh major organs. If the brain, for instance,
doesn’t receive enough fresh, oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood, cognitive
functions, such as memory and thought, may be impaired. Moreover, blood
cannot reach cells to remove wastes produced by natural activities, such as
carbon dioxide. In a worst-case scenario, blockage of the carotid arteries could
invite a disabling or life-threatening brain attack
The best way to control your cholesterol is not just by following a low fat diet but
also by eliminating saturated fats and choosing fats that are best for
the body.
Do not use oils that have been hydrogenated. This is the process food
manufacturers use to extend the shelf life of processed foods. The Hydrogenation
process creates trans-fats – disfigured molecules that wreak havoc on your
body’s cells. If it’s hydrogenated, it’s bad for you!
A cholesterol-lowering drug, Baycol, which was linked to at least 40 deaths, has
been taken off of the market. Baycol is one of an extraordinarily popular family
of drugs called statins that dramatically lower cholesterol. Unfortunately,
every statin has been linked to very rare reports of a muscle side effect called
rhabdomyolysis. Other statins are Mevacor, Pravacol,
Zocor, Lescol, and Lipitor.
Symptoms of rahabdpmyolsis include muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, fever,
dark urine, nausea and vomiting.
When it has been determined that your cholesterol levels are not correct,
nutritional supplements will help. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is probably the most
effective.
When consumed regularly, CoQ10 is thought to help fight premature aging in two
key ways. First, it provides valuable protection from oxidative damage occurring
in cell membranes. Second, CoQ10 works with vitamin E to thwart oxidation damage
to lipids and lipid membranes. The heart contains more of this nutrient than any other
organ in the body, but, unfortunately, mainstream medications used for various
health problems—such as tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers,
anti-diabetic
sulfonylurea drugs, and even cholesterol-lowering statins—have been known to
deplete the body’s concentration of it. Consequently, cardiologists have made
CoQ10 the number-one component of their personal vitamin regimens.
This natural substance is both an important enzyme used to create energy within
every cell of the body, especially the heart, and an equally important,
lipid-soluble antioxidant. As an antioxidant, CoQ10 is
particularly vital, for researchers have shown that it helps keep LDL
cholesterol from oxidizing to form plaque that sticks to arterial walls.
As important as diet is
exercise which is necessary to “burn up” fat consumed. Flex those muscles and move those joints. Whatever means of exercise you choose,
movement is necessary to keep the blood flowing with it’s nourishment to all
parts of the body. This not only facillitates body cell repair but also
strengthens the cardiovascular system.
Deficiencies in Selenium were also found in people with high levels
of LDL cholesterol.
Today, most Americans are aware of the role that cholesterol plays in the
formation of damaging heart problems, but most of us have rarely (if ever) heard
of the particular form of cholesterol that has medical professionals throughout
the country talking: oxysterol. Oxysterol is the end product of
oxidized cholesterol. In other words, it is the blood fat that is “burned” by
free radicals and goes on to corrode your arteries.
What Causes Oxidized Cholesterol?
In contrast to ordinary cholesterol (which has many important functions in the
body), oxysterol actually stimulates foam cells, the cells that damage
the arteries. They are formed by the oxidation of LDL, which seems
to happen when specific nutrients are not present in enough volume and force to
stop oxidation.
Oxysterol robs cell membranes of their normal, healthy concentration of HDL, the
“good” cholesterol that serves as an important membrane constituent. When cell
membranes don’t have enough healthful cholesterol, they cannot function
properly: Nutrients cannot flow in, and toxins cannot flow out. Hence, cells can
accumulate debris to the point of cell death.
Polyphenols, on the other hand, have the ability to protect cells, particularly
those involved in the arteries, from developing a buildup of hardened cholesterol
or oxysterol. In your cardiovascular system, polyphenols serve a
protective role in keeping blood flowing, unobstructed by hardened blood fat. Red wine polyphenols became quite famous when scientists noted the huge
difference between heart health in America and heart health in countries such as
France and Italy, where people consume large quantities of red wine. Researchers
now know that the high content of polyphenols in red wine is what provides such
protective influences to the heart.
A study from the Netherlands with 3,454 people further illuminated the role of
polyphenols in heart health. Findings revealed that the risk of severe hardening
of the arteries was lowered by an astounding 69% with a high intake of
polyphenols, such as those found in red wine, onions, and
tea. This
compares favorably with the results of another study, conducted by a major East
Coast medical school, showing a 44% reduction in heart attack risk among people
who drank one cup or more of tea each day.
High cholesterol is an initial indicator that you’re heading for many health
problems, especially cardiovascular complications, and the Chinese know this all
too well. In the past few years, a rise in cholesterol levels among their
population led their scientists to seek less expensive ways to balance
cholesterol.
They discovered the power of red yeast rice, a traditional preparation derived
from fermentation of the yeast strain Monascus purpureus. In Asia, red yeast
rice is used not only as a food coloring, condiment, and preservative but also
as a tonic for enhancing circulation, digestion, and waste elimination. Now it
is used to balance cholesterol levels as well.
Niacin (vitamin B3) also is extremely helpful in balancing cholesterol. Research
dating back to the 1950s has shown that it helps the body equalize its
quantities of cholesterol, triglyceride, and fibrinogen (a blood protein that
keeps blood cohesive) while enhancing HDL cholesterol levels (Thomson Healthcare
2001).
A major, long-term study published in the American Journal of Medicine set the
pace for using niacinamide as a defense against cholesterol (Berge 1961).
However, the idea really took hold with a study published in the American
Journal of Cardiology almost 30 years later (Alderman 1989). In this study, 101
people with coronary artery problems and high cholesterol were given niacin
twice daily for four to eight weeks, and a subgroup of the participants
experienced both a 31% increase in beneficial HDL and a 32% decrease in their
cholesterol-to-HDL ratio. For more than 30 years, inositol hexaniacinate, a safer form of vitamin
B3, has been used in Europe to maintain balanced cholesterol levels. It is
better tolerated than standard niacin, which can cause flushing and long-term
side effects (Head 1996).
Polyphenol-Rich Supplements
When choosing polyphenol-rich supplements, be sure they include the top-rated
fruit extracts, some of which may surprise you.
Containing 60% polyphenols and 16% chlorogenic acid (a special type of
polyphenol known to have anti-viral activity), blueberry extract is among the
most highly rated fruit extracts. Researchers at the University of California
found that the polyphenols in blueberries may fight hardening of the arteries by
stopping the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Pomegranate extract, another surprisingly antioxidant-rich fruit, contains 40%
ellagic acid, an antioxidant considered on a par with those in green tea.
Pomegranates have long been used in herbal medicine for a variety of health
problems, and an impressive array of studies reveals that pomegranate extract is
an excellent free radical scavenger (Schubert 1999).
Apple extract has been shown to do more than enhance the health of the
gums. It is now known to help reduce cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
Finally, medicine men have traditionally used the fruits of Morinda citrifolia,
a plant that grows plentifully throughout the South Pacific, for a variety of
health purposes. Studies have suggested that this fruit is relatively high in
vitamin C, which accounts for its strong antioxidant action.
Researchers have learned that oxysterol may be counterbalanced by
fruit extracts
with the most concentrated plant chemical ingredients known to help protect the
heart from this threat. Taken faithfully, this potent blend
of nutrients offers tremendous protection against the chain of events that can
destroy your arterial health.