Cholesterol - high, low, triglycerides…

Factors that influence cholesterol:

1. Poor eating habits and a diet that is high in saturated fat.

Saturated fats are mostly found in animal foods. These fats raise your LDL (”bad”) levels more than anything else your diet. Consuming a high percentage of saturated fat is the main reason for high levels of cholesterol as well as high rates of heart attacks.

2. Smoking Cigarettes lower HDL (”good”) cholesterol level:

Cigarette smoke is one of the six major risk factors of heart disease. It also increases the tendency for blood clots to occur. As soon as a person stops smoking, the HDL (good) cholesterol levels rise within weeks to acceptable levels.

3. Excess Weight:

Excess weight tends to increase your LDL bad cholesterol level. If you are over weight and have high LDL-cholesterol level, the only way to lower the high levels of LDL is to lose unwanted weight.

4. Genetics:

One can also inherit these high levels of LDL in that increases your cholesterol. Genes play a role in influencing you LDL-cholesterol level. Your genes influence how your LDL (”bad”) cholesterol, by affecting how fast LDL is made and removed from the blood.

5. Stress:

Long term effects from stress has proven to raise blood cholesterol levels.

6. Alcohol intake:

Alcohol intake increases HDL (”good”) cholesterol (believe it or not), but does not lower LDL (”bad”)cholesterol. Obviously, drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle, lead to high blood pressure, and raise triglycerides. Due to the risks of over indulgence, this is not seen as a long term benefit!

The following factors help lower cholesterol:

1. Good Eating Habits:

Eating healthy is a vital part of lowering you cholesterol. Increase fiber intake by as little as 3 grams per day and you can help lower cholesterol. Good sources include oatmeal, soy, legumes, some vegetables, and beans. A healthy diet includes minimal saturated fat.

2. Exercise Along with diet:

Staying fit by exercising will also help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Being physically active can help lower you cholesterol level, whether it involves everyday activities like cleaning or gardening or structured exercise program. Exercise sets off a series of enzymatic reactions in the body that increases HDL’s and lowers triglycerides. This will ultimately lower LDL’s (”bad”) and total cholesterol.

3. Weight Loss

Undoubtedly this is the most significant, independent contributor to cholesterol reduction. While exercise and proper diet contribute to cholesterol reduction, in most cases weight loss must occur to see an improvement.

After reading this, surely you have realized the seriousness of the matter. Take action today and ensure a healthy lifestyle!

Learn how to measure blood pressure. Surely it is better if you do not need this kind of knowledge in your life. But on the other hand, it is much better to be prepared in advance.

Despite what you may think, cholesterol is a very important component of our bodies. Without cholesterol, we would not be able to function properly. Cholesterol is also present in many foods that we eat. Cholesterol consists of two types, HDL, the so-called good cholesterol and LDL or the bad cholesterol. However, since the body produces all the cholesterol it requires, too much cholesterol is unhealthy. The best way to control this is by eating a low carb cholesterol diet.

On a low carb cholesterol diet, the goal is to completely avoid or at least reduce any kind of food that is linked to increasing body fat. One of the biggest culprits when it comes to elevating cholesterol levels are carbs, which can be found in starchy foods and sugars. Carbs increase the body’s sugar and insulin levels, which leads to an increase in body fat and can eventually lead to heart-related problems as well as diabetes.

Cholesterol is found in many foods, particularly those that contain trans- and/or saturated fats. Most people who are overweight or obese have high cholesterol levels in their body. One can decrease body fat and bad cholesterol by choosing a low carb cholesterol diet that will provide necessary nutrients for the body without adding additional sugars and starches.

Eating foods low in carbohydrates has the effect of decreasing insulin produced by the body. In order to generate the energy needed to function, the body will then use the excess sugars and fats that are already stored. A low carb cholesterol diet will allow you to lose excess weight more quickly.

Carbs and sugar supplements are the key things to look out for in a low carb cholesterol diet. Aside from watching out for the carb and sugar content, the diet is pretty open. When you have a good handle on what foods contain the most carbs and cholesterol, you can make better choices. Using this knowledge, you will be able to plan a good diet that doesn’t sacrifice flavor and nutrition.

Thanks to increased awareness regarding cholesterol and heart health, there are a lot of foods readily available that can be used in a low carb cholesterol diet. Foods that are usually high in starch like pasta are now available with reduced carbohydrates. This allows people who care about their health and weight to take pleasure in eating these products and decrease their cholesterol at the same time.

Including exercise while on a low carb cholesterol diet will produce results more quickly when it comes to weight loss. You will have more energy and feel better. It is essential that you speak with your physician or nutritionist before you start on a diet to be certain that it acceptable for you to be on a diet lowering cholesterol. Some people who have previously had medical problems, women who are pregnant or breast feeding probably should not begin a diet plan unless they are under a doctor’s care to be sure that it is not dangerous.