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High Cholesterol
High cholesterol levels, especially elevated low-density lipoproteins (LDL), contribute to plaque building up in the arteries and impede blood flow to the brain, kidneys, genitals, extremities and heart.
It is one of the primary causes of heart disease because cholesterol produces deposits in the arteries.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is an essential part of every cell structure and is needed for proper brain and nerve function. We also need it to make sex hormones.
Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver and transported through the bloodstream to the places in the body where it is needed. It is a fatty substance and because blood is mainly water, it has to latch onto molecules known as lipoproteins to travel around effectively.
Low-density proteins (LDL) are the main transporters of cholesterol in the bloodstream and because LDL tends to encourage the deposit of cholesterol on the walls of the arteries, it is known as “bad cholesterol”.
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) on the other hand, are known as “good cholesterol” because they carry unneeded cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, where it is broken down, ready to be removed from the body.
If everything works as it should, this system remains in balance. However, if there is too much cholesterol for the HDL to pick up, or if there is not enough HDL to do its job, cholesterol can form plaque that sticks to artery walls and may eventually cause heart disease.
Why do I have high cholesterol levels?
Cholesterol levels are greatly influenced by diet, but they are also affected by your genetic makeup. The consumption of foods high in saturated fats increases cholesterol levels, while a vegetarian diet, regular exercise and certain nutrients can lower cholesterol. Cholesterol in food (dietary cholesterol) – this has only a small effect on LDL cholesterol.
How is High Cholesterol treated?
Doctors often prescribe statins for people with high cholesterol to reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke. Statin drugs work by blocking the action of the liver enzyme that is responsible for producing cholesterol.
However, statins have well known side effects, including headaches, muscle pain and damage and depletion of the essential nutrient CoQ10 (CoEnzyme Q10), so any benefits must be weighed against the risks.
How can Foodwise help?
Do you have high cholesterol levels? Foodwise can help.
Statins and aspirin are not your only options. We have all the nutritional information and dietary advice to help manage high cholesterol naturally and help keep your cardiovascular system healthy.
Join nowHow does healthy nutrition help manage high cholesterol levels naturally?
Diet can play an important role in lowering your cholesterol. Changing some of the foods that you eat by following a healthy, balanced diet that is low in saturated fats and trans-fats can help to improve cholesterol levels. This includes eliminating all fats of animal origin, as well as all hydrogenated fats and oils. It is also vital to make sure to consume plenty of cholesterol-lowering fibre in the form of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
An effective approach to lowering your cholesterol levels includes:
- following a whole food, fibre-rich diet
- eating cholesterol lowering foods
- identifying any cholesterol-elevating drugs
- maintaining a healthy weight
- regular exercise
- limiting alcohol consumption
- correcting nutritional deficiencies
.... as well as the appropriate use of natural supplements and home remedies.
Find out more about the Heart and Circulatory Health Program here
Only saturated fats increase blood levels of cholesterol and heart-disease risk.
Acrolein, a chemical found in cigarettes, prevents HDL transporting cholesterol from fatty deposits to the liver, causing a narrowing of the arteries
Heart and Circulation