|
Cholesterol is a
crystalline fatty alcohol found especially in animal fats, blood and nerve tissue and
bile.
What to look for
A high level of cholesterol
in the blood does not have obvious symptoms but it can be a risk for other circulatory
conditions that do have recognisable symptoms.
Cholesterol is a paradox:
Everyone needs it, but you can have too much which can prove to be fatal. A naturally
occurring fat, cholesterol performs functions which are vital to the body such as cell
building, insulating nerves, and producing hormones. The liver makes all the cholesterol
the body normally needs, but because this substance is found in all animal products, you
get a new stock of it whenever you eat meat and dairy foods. For people genetically
predisposed to cholesterol problems, a diet high in saturated fats is the chief cause of
high cholesterol levels.
There are two basic types
of cholesterol - HDL and LDL - high and low density lipoproteins respectively. Low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) is a larger, less dense particle that tends to remain in the body.
Excessive amounts of LDL cholesterol can overload the circulatory system and it can leave
deposits in blood vessels that eventually block them and lead to heart disease.
Causes
Hereditary does play a part
in having or not having cholesterol. If you have a predisposition to cholesterol and eat a
heavy saturated fat diet, you are more likely to have cholesterol and the related
diseases.
A laboratory test to
determine your blood cholesterol level is now a routine part of most physical checkups.
Traditional Treatment
Your doctor, Pharmacist as
well as many Health Professionals will all say the same thing with regards to diet - Adopt
a diet low in fat and cholesterol, lose weight, exercise regularly, and if you smoke,
quit.
There are cholesterol
reducing drugs available however they are expensive and can produce serious side effects.
Alternative Treatments
Alternative therapists
offer a range of natural ways to control your cholesterol levels. All can be pursued
independently, many in conjunction with drug therapy.
Chinese Medicine
- Traditional Chinese healers treat various forms of chronic
heart disease, along with factors like high cholesterol, a
herbal therapy that uses polygonum (Polygonum multiflorum). You should professional advice
for an appropriate prescription. Traditional Chinese healers treat various forms of chronic heart disease, along with factors like high cholesterol, a
herbal therapy that uses polygonum (Polygonum multiflorum). You should professional advice
for an appropriate prescription.
Herbal Therapies
- A highly valued remedy for fighting high cholesterol is gugulipid
(Commiphora mukul). A highly valued remedy for fighting high cholesterol is gugulipid
(Commiphora mukul).
Other herbs reputed to have
cholesterol-lowering properties include
alfalfa
(Medicago sativa),
turmeric (Curcuma longa), Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum).
Lifestyle -
Exercise several times a week can help this complaint. Exercise several times a week can help this complaint.
Dietary Considerations
Avoid saturated fats and
dietary cholesterol. Experts recommend a diet with between 30 and 20 percent of your daily
calories from fat. Animal fat should be avoided. Eat more vegetables, fruits, and grains,
which are cholesterol free, virtually fat free, and rich in fiber.
Garlic and onion are believed to lower cholesterol.
Prevention
Make Healthy Food Your
Ally
Replace saturated fats that
are solid at room temperature, with olive or grape seed oil. Eating moderate amounts of
such foods as nuts, seeds, and avocados may actually lower LDL cholesterol. Eating grapes
may help reduce blood cholesterol.
Do not eat too many eggs
per week as one egg yolk contains almost an entire daily recommended allowance of
cholesterol. Vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that have reputed cholesterol-reducing
properties include vitamins
E, C, and
A
(beta carotene), zinc. Add rice, bran, artichokes,
shiitake
mushrooms, and chili peppers to your salads and foods as these all may help lower
cholesterol.
When to seek further
professional advice
|
