The Cholesterol Issue – Nine A Day Plus Vitamins Supplements May Restore Healthy Cholesterol Levels Naturally

(THP) For well over 25 years, the egg has been the icon for the fat, cholesterol and caloric excesses in the Standard American Diet (SAD). Tied directly to this is the widely circulated message of limiting egg consumption to lower the risk of heart disease. Well, the facts easily debunk this message.

However, the very well know “dietary cholesterol equals blood cholesterol” still surfaces on various forms of media on a regular basis. On it coat-tails are the mixed messages about avoiding fats and using fat-free food products. But, what are the facts? Does the scientific evidence justify such restrictions?

To begin this Part II, lets do a little scientific review so that we can achieve a real clear picture of this evil called cholesterol, then we can address the issue of fats.

What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a lipidic or a type of fatty substance. Also known as a lipid which is a type of fat in the blood. This white crystalline substance is a waxy sterol [steroid] found in animal tissues and various foods. It is normally synthesized by the liver and is important as a constituent of all cell membranes and a precursor to steroid hormones.

Cholesterol is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes where it is required to establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity. This fatty substance is found in the cell membranes and transported in the blood of all animals.

Why do we need cholesterol?
Cholesterol is essential for the structure and function of a host of biological activities within our body. A brief review of the facts will help us to better understand why this lipid is called ‘essential.’

Many people are surprised to learn that this essential component is the precursor molecule for a number of other essential compounds and biochemical functions in the human body. Within the cell membrane, cholesterol functions in intracellular transport, cell signaling and nerve conduction. The myelin sheath is rich in cholesterol, thus providing insulation for more efficient conduction of impulses.

Cholesterol is used in tissue repair; for strengthening cell membranes; it helps regulate membrane fluidity over the range of physiological temperatures; in the liver, cholesterol is converted to bile, which is then stored in the gallbladder. Bile contains bile [acid] salts, which solubilize fats in the digestive tract and aid in the intestinal absorption of fat molecules as well as the fat soluble vitamins of A, D, E and K.

Cholesterol is an important precursor molecule for the synthesis of Vitamin D and our most necessary steroid hormones, including the adrenal gland hormones [cortisol and aldosterone] as well as the well known sex hormones [progesterone, estrogens, and testosterone] and their derivatives. Recently published research indicates that cholesterol may even act as an antioxidant.

There is little danger of cholesterol deficiency because it can be manufactured in the liver from fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Yes, your body actually makes up to 80% of your the cholesterol found in your body!

How does cholesterol work in the body?
This question more accurately addresses the regulation of cholesterol synthesis. Wherein biosynthesis of cholesterol is directly related to the cholesterol levels present in the body. To date these complex and extensive homeostatic [feedback] mechanisms involved are only partly understood.

Regardless, one way to increase our cholesterol is from eating certain types of fatty foods high in cholesterol such as red meat, and organs such as liver and brain. A higher intake from these foods leads to a net decrease in endogenous production, while a lower intake from food has the opposite effect. The main regulatory mechanism is the sensing of the existing cholesterol levels and the interaction of a series of proteins, enzymes, and associated receptors which regulate our cholesterol level. Once synthesized, the cholesterol can then be utilized throughout our body as identified above.

Cholesterol is oxidized by the liver into a variety of bile acids. A mixture of conjugated and non-conjugated bile acids along with cholesterol itself is excreted from the liver into the bile. Approximately 95% of the bile acids are reabsorbed from the intestines and the remainder lost through bowel elimination.

So there is a circulation of these biliary acids from the liver, where they are produced and secreted in the bile, to the small intestine, where it aids in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats and other substances, then back to the liver. The excretion and reabsorption of bile acids forms what is referred to as enterophepatic circulation.

9 A Day Plus Vitamins effect on the body’s functioning systems is a preferable way to eliminate toxins, while feeding your body what it needs.

The “Good” side of cholesterol.
Thus far, it may be very easy to understand why cholesterol is GOOD! After all, it is ‘essential’ to our body in so very many ways. It is made in our body and is used for a host of biological needs. However, there is a term we often hear – “BAD Cholesterol.” Let’s now review some information to better understand this associated if not misleading terminology.

The “Bad” side of cholesterol.
Probably one of the greatest forms of biased research is the all too familiar efforts to associate eggs with increasing a persons cholesterol. This is minimized by the bad, albeit, confusing press about low density lipoproteins, high density liprproteins and triglycerides.

Obtaining a more accurate perspective on just what these terms mean and how they actually work within our body is our next step.

Some of the terminology.
When people talk about cholesterol as a medical problem, they are usually referring to high cholesterol. To determine if you have a cholesterol concern, you must have your blood tested. Once accomplished, you can then use the following information to understand the findings.

Most of the information about cholesterol can be somewhat misleading. We will begin with the four basic components that are considered to be cholesterol. These are the four components that appear as the results on a fundamental cholesterol exam. We will break it down for clarity.

First recognize that cholesterol is just cholesterol! But here is how the program works. There are the three main categories of fats (lipids) and total cholesterol that are all part of this ‘cholesterol’ paradox associated with your cholesterol blood test. Here they are;

High-density lipoproteins or HDL: This component actually carries cholesterol from the blood vessels to the liver where the body can eliminate it. Not surprising, the HDL is often called the “Good Cholesterol.”

Low-density lipoproteins or LDL: This is what is given credit for building up in the arteries along with other substances. The LDL’s are credited with forming plaque and restricting the blood flow to your heart, brain, and other organs. Based on this association and process, LDL is called the “Bad Cholesterol.’

Triglycerides or ‘trigs’ – more appropriately triacylglycerol or TAG: This is a glyceride or a form of lipid that is the main constituent of vegetable oil and animal fats and is called the blood fat lipid that is also associated with the increased risk for heart disease. So it comes from the foods we eat and is produced in the liver. And following the LDL’s, it is also called “the other bad lipid.”

Total Cholesterol: This is where the math comes in. To calculate the total level of cholesterol you must add the LDL and the HDL levels, plus the triglyceride level which is divided by 5. So the formula is: LDL + HDL + (TAG/5)

Now that you have the fundamentals and some basic terminology to better evaluate your own blood/cholesterol test.

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The ABC’s Of Cholesterol Part V – Keep Levels Healthy With Quality All Natural Supplements

Author: Dr.Gregory

At this point, many may be thinking that cholesterol is not the bad guy and statins may not necessarily be the best solution. The question still remains: What precisely causes cholesterol to elevate? Also, what is causing the arteries to clog?

With that in mind, we will take a cursory review of some of the more critical components that are at the root of each of these questions. First, we will review the primary causes of the all too common “high cholesterol level”.

So what causes the “Bad” cholesterol to become a problem?

In one word – us. For many people that have unhealthy cholesterol levels, most often these are caused by our personal choices. This may be a tough idea to adjust to, but here are the predominate factors in high levels of our cholesterol.

• Poor dietary habits
• Smoking
• Inadequate exercise or a lack of physical activity
• Excess weight or obesity
• Diabetes or poorly controlled diabetes
• Family history of unhealthy cholesterol or heart disease
• Increasing Age

As a result of other standard cholesterol tests, most doctors may recommend diet and exercise changes as well as cholesterol lowering medication to alter elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. However, is this always the best option to employ? At this point, let us review what we have determined to this point.

What You Should Know About Cholesterol

A great point to remember is that there is no such thing as good or bad cholesterol. Cholesterol is Cholesterol.

Cholesterol in our blood is just like pouring oil into water. In order to move the cholesterol [oil] through the body, our body attaches a protein – hence the term lipoprotein. HDL and LDL for example, are lipoproteins.

Application of a statin drug serves to inhibit the essential production of cholesterol by reducing or inhibiting the very essential enzymes required for the production of cholesterol and other critical hormones. Least we forget that cholesterol is essential to the body because it is used for so many other biological requirements. By interfering with the enzyme pathway that generates our cholesterol you will also compromise a host of other normal liver enzyme functions. This will result in multiple side effects that are recognizable, well established in medical reports, and very serious.

Some of these side effects are muscle damage, nerve damage, and impaired memory. Remember, statins have a negative side effect on muscles, and your heart is a muscle. So one of the side effects of the statin is to compromise the very muscle [the heart] they are prescribed to protect. It is worth mentioning again that the side effects of the statins compromise the very biochemical processes that our body requires to stay alive.

Lowering cholesterol to the new recommended levels is very dangerous. All of the required steroid hormones in the body will be compromised and this new low level correlates with dying – especially from cancer.

What we are faced with from the medical arena is confusion between the terms ‘correlation and cause.’ For example, there is a distant correlation between cholesterol and CVD, but cholesterol is not the cause. Simply stated, cholesterol does not cause CVD.

For example, there is a correlation but not a cause between aging and gaining weight. In general, by becoming older we might obtain extra and unwanted weight gain. Regardless, if you were to lose the weight as many do, you don’t become any younger! Again, correlation but not the cause.

The correlation between cholesterol and CVD is weak at best. Jumping head first into using a statin as the ‘quick fix’ remedy is to ignore the cause of the health concern and the consequences to your future health.

In many cases, if it is not specifically the cholesterol, then what is it that creates the cardiovascular disease issues? The primary focus of Part VI is to illuminate the underlying issues of cardiovascular concerns that are all to often attributed to cholesterol.

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The ABC’s Of Cholesterol Part IV – Keep Levels Healthy With Quality All Natural Supplements

How do Statins work?
(THP) Statins are actually a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase or HMGR. This is a 25 cent term to identify a drug [HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors] that will suppress the enzyme or the metabolic pathway that produces cholesterol. A statin drug targets the enzyme. If you eliminate the enzyme, you lower the cholesterol. The medical perspective is to lower serum cholesterol as a means of reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease.

Simple in theory, but short in application. Recall just three basic biological facts. 1) our body requires cholesterol, it is essential!; 2) the body makes up to 80% of its cholesterol for this very reason; and, 3) cholesterol is required for all of the steroid hormones that we need to function.

Now we have what is typically referred to as a paradox. On one hand, IF a person was to have too much BAD cholesterol, they are subject to a host of potential heart disease issues. On the other hand, what is glossed over in the medical models is that IF you were to drop your cholesterol levels too low, then your essential biological functions are impaired!

So maybe, just maybe, there is more to this than just the “BAD cholesterol” must be lowered. Let’s now look a little closer at the ‘statin’ drugs……

Statin’s and Adverse Effects.
Statin drugs do a lot! Specifically addressing the cholesterol level in the body, statins act by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme controls the first committed step of sterol (cholesterol) synthesis, in the liver. Because of their similarity to HMG-CoA on a molecular level, statins take the place of HMG-CoA in the enzyme. This action reduces the rate by which it is able to produce the next molecule [mevalonate] in the process to make cholesterol as well as a number of other compounds.

These same drugs are also known to inhibit the body’s production of coenzyme Q10 [CoQ10]. The enzyme pathway that the body uses in the creation of cholesterol, is the same pathway that is needed to manufacture CoQ10. This biochemical is needed for the most important transfer of energy from our food to our cells.

Coenzyme Q10 is present in most tissues, but the highest concentrations are found in the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Obviously the medical community places some value on this coenzyme because the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) information summary provides an overview of the use of CoQ10 in cancer therapy. But this knowledge is somehow ignored when anyone is dealing with the potential usage of a statin.

Statin causes heart disease. Another often overlooked fact by physicians is that patients taking statins become depleted in Coenzyme Q10, which leads to fatigue, muscle weakness, soreness and heart failure. This may be where the terminology, “the cure is worse than the disease” comes from.

Simultaneously, while lowering these necessary enzyme activities, the current research indicates that statins also activate what is called the atrogin-1 gene. This gene plays a role in muscle atrophy or muscle deterioration. In separate tests, and using low concentrations of statin drugs, the activation of the atrogin-1 gene induced muscle damage. Increased muscle damage was noted with the increased concentration of the statin. It should not be overlooked that the heart is a muscle!

A further interesting point from Swiss research indicates that statins suppress the immune system cells knows as Helper T-cells. These Help T-cells act by recognizing foreign pathogens and then activating the production of the proper T and/or B cells in response. Additional studies on the national level have found that low cholesterol is actually associated with adverse behavioral effects such as aggression and depression.

The theory emerging is that cholesterol levels may influence serotonin, the neurotransmitter in the brain that has been linked to depression. However the jury is still out on exactly how the cholesterol level triggers the depression or aggression.

Now that we have just this basic information about the necessity of these essential enzyme components, one might ask, What is the medical position on the administration of such statin drugs? Well, the medical community states that statins are generally well-tolerated and have only a few major side effects that occur. The most common major ‘side effects’ are raised liver enzymes, skeletal muscle pain and/or damage. (Of course you can die from consuming this drug as you can from any drug.)

Some patients on statin therapy have reported a series of issues. Some report myalgias, muscle cramps, gastrointestinal or other similar symptoms. Liver enzyme derangements may also occur as well as other side-effects. Speaking of the muscle cramps, aches and pains that patients often complain about – it is worth pointing out again that the heart is a muscle! Just in case you missed this point, here’s a little more information .

More serious reactions include myositis (muscle weakness) and myopathy (persistent pain), with the potential for rhabdomolysis (the pathological breakdown of skeletal muscle) leading to acute renal failure and death.
Remember that in 2001, after 31 people died from rhabdomolysis, Bayer’s statin (Baycol) was taken off the market. Currently, about 12 million Americans are using one of the available statins. The expert’s clearly recommend that another 23 to 40 million SHOULD be taking them.

Current available scientific literature link combing statins with other drugs with being even more lethal. Combinations such as a drug used to prevent blood clotting, warfarin; and an antifungal drug, ketoconazole; and the antibiotic, clarithromycin as leading to rhabdomyolysis.

If this is enough to get people to rethink the use of statins, then the relative animal experiments might. In most animal experiments using statins, as well as most other cholesterol-lowering drugs, cancer developed in the animal that was the brunt of the experiment. Might their possibly be a slight probability of the same results in humans?

At this point we want to take a different, more natural approach to the cholesterol issue. Let us first review what might be the cause of the cholesterol issue.

As we contemplate the implications of statins and how they impact a person, In PART V we want to gain a greater appreciation for just what is responsible for the high cholesterol and how that relates to heart disease. We also want to look at some other components that are often overlooked as they relate directly with cardiovascular or arterial issues.

To learn more about quality supplementation and how it can keep cholesterol levels healthy click here >>

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The ABC’s Of Cholesterol Part II- Keep Levels Healthy With Quality All Natural Supplements

Author: Dr. Gregory

What are these terms we often hear associated with CVD?
(THP) The following terms are similar, yet distinct, in both spelling and meaning, and can be easily confused: arteriosclerosis, and atherosclerosis. As a consequence of these conditions, there are other terms that we often hear but may not be clear on the meaning.

Arteriosclerosis: Arteriosclerosis is from the Greek word aterio, meaning artery and sclerosis which means hardening. Often a general term describing any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of arterioles, which are small arteries. But this is also applied to the condition affecting medium or large arteries. Essentially, atherosclerosis is called “hardening of the arteries,” which is the most common disease of the coronary arteries. Atherosclerosis is a hardening of an artery specifically due to an atheromatous plaque, therefore, atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis.

You hear this term generally associated with the first step in developing heart disease. While atherosclerosis can [and does] happen to blood vessels anywhere in the body, when it happens in the arteries of your heart, your risk for heart attack increases. It is a combination of cholesterol and other fats, calcium and fibrin as well as other elements carried in the blood – that build up in the small blood vessels that feed the heart.

Recall that plaque is blamed for this. Plaque build up in the arteries can restrict blood flow to the heart, meaning necessary oxygen and nutrients do not get to the heart muscle. This can cause angina (chest pain). Some plaques can also dislodge or burst, releasing cholesterol and fat into the bloodstream. This may completely block blood flow through the artery and cause a heart attack. A clot that forms in an artery or leading to the brain can cause a stroke. An elevated plasma concentration of cholesterol is associated as a risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Remember that atherosclerosis is the thickening of the artery walls due to a build-up of fatty materials such as cholesterol. This chronic inflammatory syndrome affects all arterial blood vessels and is mostly due to the accumulation of macrophage white blood cells. This, as you know, was due to the presence of a high level of low density lipoproteins [VLDL] and a low level of high density lipoproteins (HDL).

Atherosclerosis: Very closely associated with and often interchanged with arteriosclerosis. The primary difference is that atherosclerosis is the term applied to the build up in the small blood vessels that are elsewhere in the body – but not the heart area.

Angina: The term “angina” mean strangling or oppressive heaviness and pain. It has become synonymous with “angina pectoris,” or simple chest pain that is cause by a lack of oxygen to the heart.

Atheromatous Plaque: There are three very distinct divisions of this atheromatous plaque.
There is the nodular accumulation of a soft, flaky, yellowish material at the center of large plaques. This is composed of macrophages nearest the lumen of the artery. This division is called the atheroma (Greek, meaning “lump of wax”).

A second division is that associated with the more advance lesions. This is noticeable when there is calcification at the outer base of the older and more advanced lesions.

The third division is atheromatous plaque that is underlying areas of cholesterol crystals.

The consequence of the lipoproteins being out of balance.
Atherosclerosis, this is typically the condition in which LDL enters the arteries from too much saturated and trans fat in diet and gets oxidized in the artery wall and creates injury in the artery wall. Remember that LDLs are proteins that move cholesterol through the body and to the cells; VLDLs are proteins that move carbohydrates throughout the body.

If these proteins are out of balance, then you may get a build-up of fatty materials. It is this build up that is affecting the arterial blood vessels. This chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries, in large part due to the inadequate removal of fats and cholesterol from the macrophages by functional high density lipoproteins (HDL). It is commonly referred to as a hardening or furring of the arteries. It is caused by the formation of multiple plaques within the arteries.

Great, we have the terminology and now we need the application. PART III will help us make the application of all the acronyms and terms that we have already discussed. Also in PART III we will review a typical Cholesterol Exam and learn how to recognize the value of all the numbers and how they can apply to us.

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The ABC’s Of Cholesterol Part I- Keep Levels Healthy With Quality All Natural Supplements

Author: Dr. Gregory

We will begin by looking just a little deeper into how cholesterol actually works in our body. To accomplish this, we want to expand upon our previous explanations and add some new terms to aid in our future investigation of cholesterol.

What is Cholesterol?
Recall that cholesterol is a lipidic, waxy steroid found in all of our cell membranes and is essential for proper membrane permeability and fluidity.

Because cholesterol is a fat it is only slightly soluble in water. It separates from the blood similar to the way that bacon grease separates from water. To keep this from happening, proteins form a shell around the cholesterol, making a “cholesterol complex” or lipoprotein. Because it can not fully dissolve in our aqueous blood environment, our body uses five major groups of lipoproteins to transport cholesterol through the circulatory system. A lipoprotein is simply a biochemical assembly that contains both proteins and lipids (fats). Please take special note of the fact that this is a protein attached to a fat. This is critical to our comprehension of the existing arguments and real science surrounding cholesterol. Regardless, these lipoproteins function merely to transport exceedingly small concentrations of lipids and cholesterol around the body.

Plasma transport, regulation and absorption.
Remember, these are five groups of proteins that are attached to a fat to move cholesterol – these are not cholesterol. In addition, these lipoproteins have cell-targeting signals which direct the lipids they carry to specific tissues. Consequently, these five various lipoproteins within the blood contain a mixture of cholesterol, protein and triglyceride, but in varying amounts and are generally identified in order of increasing density in the section below.

Chylomicrons are a lipoprotein that can carry exogenous (dietary) lipids (triacylglycerol) from the intestines to the liver, adipose, cardiac, and skeletal muscle tissue. Chylomicrons are the major transporters of triacylglycerides in the blood.

VLDL molecules are produced by the liver in response to a high-carbohydrate meal. The liver then coverts the extra carbohydrates into fat (triglycerides) and puts them into VLDLs to be transported. As a transporter, the VLDLs carry endogenous (newly synthesized) triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and fats to muscle and other tissues that need fatty acids for energy or fat production.

Once a VLDL delivers its triglycerides to fat cells or muscle, it is called an intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL). This IDL can return to the liver with its cholesterol so that the liver can repackage it to use it later or simply get rid of it. But in most cases, the IDLs remain in the blood and go through another transformation where they lose most of their remaining triglycerides. At this point, the IDLs are almost all cholesterol and are now known as LDL.
Because the VLDL particle is relatively large, it carries a lot of triglycerides relative to the amount of cholesterol. Conditions known to increase these levels include diabetes, obesity, and acute hepatitis.

VLDL levels have been correlated with accelerated rates of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease [explained below] and are elevated in a number of diseases and metabolic states. Because of this associated risk of coronary artery disease, VLDL is also considered a type of “bad” cholesterol.

Intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) are intermediate in size between VLDL and LDL. They are not usually detectable in the blood.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) carry cholesterol from the liver to cells of the body. LDLs are sometimes referred to as the “bad cholesterol” lipoprotein. About three-quarters of total cholesterol in the blood is contained within LDL particles.

LDLs contain the highest amount of cholesterol. HDLs contain the highest amount of protein. VLDL contains the highest amount of triglyceride, a blood fat.

Recall that the LDL molecules are the major carriers of cholesterol in the blood. So when there are more LDL molecules in the blood than there are receptors, the LDL molecules are oxidized and taken up by macrophages which become engorged and form foam cells. It is these very cells that become trapped in the blood vessel walls and oxidize (turn rancid) and contribute to artherosclerotic plaque formation. In turn it is this plaque that is given credit for causing heart attacks, strokes and the associated medical problems. Again, underlying the plaque is the association of LDL [more specifically the VLDL] cholesterol with its “BAD” cholesterol connotation.

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn’t need to use right away into triglycerides. The triglycerides are stored in your fat cells. Later, hormones release triglycerides for energy between meals. If you regularly eat more calories than you burn, you may have high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia).

By lowering your triglyceride levels, you also lower your VLDL cholesterol levels. Recall that the VLDL carries the largest quantity of triacylglycerides.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) collect cholesterol from the body’s tissues, and bring it back to the liver. HDLs are sometimes referred to as the “good cholesterol” lipoprotein.

HDL particles are thought to transport cholesterol back to the liver for excretion or to other tissues that use cholesterol to synthesize hormones in a process known as reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Therefore the rule of thumb is to have large numbers of HDL which correlates with better health. In contrast, having small numbers of the large HDL particles is often associated with atheromatous disease. Atheromatous disease is identified by the swelling in the artery walls that are made up primarily of macrophage cells that contain lipids – hence the term, artheromatous plagues.

Elevated levels of the lipoprotein fractions, LDL, IDL and VLDL are regarded as atherogenic or prone to cause atherosclerosis.

Now, the above points are very important. Remember this information because we will need to revisit this process to better evaluate the underlying issues of coronary artery and/or cardiovascular disease in our future articles.

What’s the difference between triglycerides and cholesterol?
Triglycerides and cholesterol are separate types of fats (lipids) that circulate in your blood. Triglycerides provide your body with energy, and cholesterol is used to build cells and certain hormones. High triglycerides are often an indication of other conditions that may point to the risk of heart disease. Be alert to obesity, metabolic syndromes, large body fat deposits at the waist, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels and high blood sugar.

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The ABC’s Of Cholesterol Part III- Keep Levels Healthy With Quality All Natural Supplements

Author: Dr. Gregory

(THP) In the PART I & II, we wanted to understand what the elements of cholesterol were and how they related to the terms we most often associate with CVD. In this PART, we want to make the application so that we can better understand and evaluate our own cholesterol levels. This will enable us to make better choices about lifestyle and dietary changes as well as a more informed decision about the resolution if such an issue should or does exist.

The typical scenario
Here is what is considered to be the optimal cholesterol numbers. Note that blood cholesterol levels vary considerably and there is no universally accepted safe level, but the following are guidelines used by most doctors:

This chart below shows typical cholesterol and triglyceride numbers. Of course if you have diabetes, are overweight, or have other risk factors for heart disease, your doctor may translate your numbers into a more aggressive agenda.

Total Cholesterol Level/Total Cholesterol Category
Less than 200 mg/dLDesirable
200-239 mg/dLBorderline high
240 mg/dL and aboveHigh

Bad Cholesterol Level (LDL) Bad Cholesterol Category
Less than 100 mg/dLOptimal
100-129 mg/dLNear optimal/above optimal
130-159 mg/dLBorderline high
160-189 mg/dLHigh
190 mg/dL and aboveVery high

Triglyceride LevelTriglyceride Category
Less than 150 mg/dLNormal
150-199 mg/dLBorderline high
200-499 mg/dLHigh
500 mg/dL and aboveVery high
Good Cholesterol Level (HDL)Good Cholesterol Category
Less than 40 mg/dLLow
60 mg/dL and aboveHigh

You have to know that this is a numbers game! It is the levels of these fractions, rather than the total cholesterol level, that correlate with the extent and progress of atherosclerosis. Conversely, the total cholesterol can be within normal limits, yet be made up primarily of small LDL and small HDL particles, under which conditions atheroma growth rates would still be high. In contrast, however, if the LDL particle number is low (mostly large particles) and a large percentage of the HDL particles are large, then atheroma growth rates are usually low, even negative, for any given total cholesterol concentration.

Studies demonstrate that dietary cholesterol increases both LDL and HDL cholesterol with essentially no change in the seemingly important LDL: HDL cholesterol ratio.

For example, the addition of 100 mg cholesterol per day to the diet increases LDL cholesterol by 1.9 mg/dL, but that is accompanied by a 0.4 mg/dL increase in HDL cholesterol. This translation, on average, means that the LDL: HDL ratio change per 100 mg/day change in dietary cholesterol is from 2.60 to 2.61. These variations are not statistically significant and would probably have no influence on heart disease risk.  Furthermore, they probably would not be a biomarker to indicate a CVD issue.

So, don’t panic over your cholesterol number. Know what the number means to you. Then act accordingly.

Additional facts about cholesterol
It is interesting to note that there is substantial research showing that cholesterol levels might fluctuate depending on the season and reach their highest levels during the fall and winter months. Although the evidence behind this theory hasn’t been made clear, it has been made apparent that more cases of high cholesterol were reported during the cooler months.

Other researchers In 2001, chemical researchers found a link between cholesterol and Alzheimer’s. Reducing the amount of cholesterol in the cells appears to block attachment of senile plaques to the brain’s neurons. (The plaques begin the process that eventually kills brain neurons.) More research is required to test the effects of cholesterol on Alzheimer’s.

A quick review:
Again, high cholesterol levels, generally mean high LDL and low HDL. This combination is classified as hypercholesterolemia and is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease because of the promotion of atheroma development in the arteries (atherosclerosis). Once this process begins, the possibilities of coronary heart disease (heart attack / myocardial infarction), stroke and the peripheral vascular disease become very real.

The LDL “BAD” cholesterol is linked to atheroma formation and the HDL “Good” cholesterol removes cholesterol from cells and atheroma. Therefore it is critical to maintain both the correct levels of these lipoproteins and the correct balance between them.

So, given all this information, How does one avoid all of the issues often associated with cholesterol? Well, let’s review the typical options and see how valid they are.

The most common cholesterol solution?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that roughly one-half of the American adult population have elevated cholesterol levels. Recall that this is generally a high LDL level which is reported as being a major contributing factor of heart disease.

In response, the medically approved reaction is to recommend simple dietary changes and employ the use of cholesterol lowering pharmaceutical products. In the abbreviated version, this is a prescription for a statin drug!

Statin drugs are readily known to include products like lovastatin (Mevacor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), pravastatin (Pravachol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), and simvastatin (Zocor) to name just a few.

In the next part, we will review some of the specifics about the use of statins and how they work within our body.

To learn more about how to keep cholesterol levels healthy click here>>

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Lowering Cholesterol

Diet and exercise have a major effect on your cholesterol level. Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can help you lower your cholesterol or help to maintain a normal cholesterol level. Likewise, lack of physical activity and poor food choices can send your cholesterol through the roof. The biggest offender in the battle against high cholesterol is saturated fat in the foods you eat. Saturated fats are mostly found in red meat and high-fat dairy products. Eggs, cheese, sour cream and butter all contain cholesterol. Even some poultry, when the skin is eaten, can contribute to high cholesterol levels.

Experts recommend limiting saturated fat to less than 10 percent of your daily calories, no more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day. Lowering your consumption of saturated fats has been proven to lower “LDL cholesterol.” So what is cholesterol and what is meant by the terms “good cholesterol” and “bad cholesterol?”

According to the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, “Cholesterol is a lipidic, waxy alcohol found in the cell membranes and transported in the blood plasma. Although cholesterol is essential for life, high levels in circulation are associated with atherosclerosis.” Among other functions, “cholesterol is required to build and maintain cell membranes; it regulates membrane fluidity over a wide range of temperatures.”

In layman’s terms cholesterol is a fatty goop found in the blood and tissues of your body which are an essential part of body functionality. But a high level of cholesterol in the blood — a condition known as hypercholesterolemia — is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood. It must be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are several kinds, but the ones to focus on are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). A definition of LDL and HDL cholesterol on the American Heart Association’s website defines these as follows:

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. A clot (thrombus) that forms near this plaque can block the blood flow to part of the heart muscle and cause a heart attack. If a clot blocks the blood flows to part of the brain, a stroke results. A high level of LDL cholesterol (160 mg/dL and above) reflects an increased risk of heart disease. If you have heart disease, your LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL and your doctor may even set your goal to be less than 70 mg/dL. That’s why LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol reflect a lower risk of heart disease.

• About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. Medical experts think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol because a high HDL level seems to protect against heart attack. The opposite is also true: a low HDL level (less than 40 mg/dL in men; less than 50 mg/dL in women) indicates a greater risk. A low HDL cholesterol level also may raise stroke risk.

Poor diet, smoking and lack of exercise can increase cholesterol levels in the body and put you at risk of heart failure. Conversely, non-smokers who adhere to a solid aerobic exercise program and heart healthy diet can help avoid these adverse health conditions. Tobacco lowers HDL and exercise raises HDL levels. It’s that simple. If you are a smoker, especially those of you who are in high stress lifestyles, your chances of having a heart attack are hugely increased – so quit toady!

NOW! Do whatever it takes to kick the habit and detoxify your body. It could save your life. Dietary concerns are also tied to high LDL cholesterol levels. The average American diet, filled with red meat, highly processed foods, fried foods and processed wheat products is a recipe for disaster. However, the alternatives to a poor diet are abundant. There is a universe of foods that are readily available and can help lower your cholesterol.

According to the website WebMD: researchers have found that some foods – such as fatty fish, walnuts, oatmeal, and oat bran, and foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols – can help control your cholesterol. Some studies have shown that a diet combining these “superfoods” may work as well as some cholesterol-lowering medicines to reduce your “bad” LDL cholesterol levels. Fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, beans and oats all have cholesterol fighting benefits. Studies have demonstrated that fiber lowers cholesterol. It also makes you feel full, which can help control weight. As stated above, fish are low in saturated fat and high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids that can help lower cholesterol.

Experts advise eating at least two servings of baked or grilled fish each week. Wild salmon is a top choice because it is so healthful, but other good fresh fish to consider are flounder, trout, tuna and halibut. Soy products such as soy milk, soy burgers, tofu and edamame (whole soybeans often served as an appetizer in Japanese restaurants but available in most grocery stores) may lower your risk of heart disease when eaten as part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.

The advice is to eat 25 grams of soy protein each day, which is the equivalent of a little over three cups of soy milk. Nuts, including almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, macadamias and pistachios, help lower cholesterol. Experts believe this is due to the combination of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats they contain. Walnuts and flax seeds are some non-fish sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Experts believe that polyunsaturated fats (including oil from nuts, seeds and safflower, sesame and corn) and monounsaturated fats (including avocados and canola, olive and peanut oils) may help lower your cholesterol.

The last piece of the healthy puzzle is regular aerobic exercise. Working out on a regular basis lowers LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol levels. It also helps you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, which is beneficial not only for your heart health but for your overall health. Experts say to aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Some people have high cholesterol because it runs in their family. If you have a family history of high cholesterol or heard disease, it is more important than ever to eat right, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. 9 a Day Plus, it is formulated to be the best and most complete supplement available. Click Here To Learn More