High Cholesterol

One of the best treatments to reduce high cholesterol is exercise and a low-fat diet.

Cholesterol in its natural state is actually good for us. Cholesterol is vital to health because it produces hormones and vitamin D, build cells and insulate nerves. Cholesterol is known for causing heart diseases and focusing on lowering LDL while raising HDL should be taken in consideration by every male or female.

Why is cholesterol bad?

Cholesterol is naturally produced by the liver in response to free radical damage and it either remains there or is converted into LDL cholesterol and takes of into the bloodstream. Because cholesterol can't dissolve in the blood on its own it attaches itself to lipoprotein (LDL - low-density lipoprotein) particles which in its turn carry cholesterol to the other cells in the body. The levels of free cholesterol increase in cells.

HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) returns the remaining cholesterol from the cells to the liver. It's a natural process by the body to protect itself.

Tip: Diet. Saturated fat and cholesterol in food makes your blood cholesterol level go up. Saturated fat is the main cause, but cholesterol in food also matter. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet helps lower your blood cholesterol level.

High cholesterol causes or may lead to high blood pressure in men. Recent estimates that nearly one of three U.S. adults has high blood pressure. Many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Because there are no symptoms one-third of these people don't know they have it.

Risk factor: High blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher)

High blood pressure if also called "silent killer" because it can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure and the only way to tell if you have it is to get your blod pressure checked.

Tip: Reduce Sugar consumption. Sugar intake has been increasing for the past 100 years. Increased rates of cardiovascular disease have a direct link to the increase of sugar intake and not fat and cholesterol intake. Sugar includes grains such as wheat and rice. Also potato, yam and carrot convert quickly into sugar once inside the body.

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