Your blood cholesterol level is affected not only by what you eat but also by how quickly your body makes LDL-cholesterol and disposes of it. In fact, your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, and it is not necessary to take in any additional cholesterol from the foods you eat.
People with heart disease or those who are at high risk for developing it typically have too much LDL-cholesterol in their blood. Many factors help determine whether your LDL-cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are the most important.
Your blood cholesterol level is affected not only by what you eat but also by how quickly your body makes LDL-cholesterol and disposes of it. In fact, your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, and it is not necessary to take in any additional cholesterol from the foods you eat. Patients with heart disease or those who are at high risk for developing it typically have too much LDL-cholesterol in their blood. Many factors help determine whether your LDL-cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are the most important.
Heredity. Your genes influence how high your LDL-cholesterol is by affecting how fast LDL is made and removed from the blood. One specific form of inherited high cholesterol that affects 1 in 500 people is familial hypercholesterolemia, which often leads to early heart disease. But even if you do not have a specific genetic form of high cholesterol, genes play a role in influencing your LDL-cholesterol level.
What you eat. Two main nutrients in the foods you eat make your LDL-cholesterol level go up: saturated fat, a type of fat found mostly in foods that come from animals; and cholesterol, which comes only from animal products. Saturated fat raises your LDL-cholesterol level more than anything else in the diet. Eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol is the main reason for high levels of cholesterol and a high rate of heart attacks in the United States. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol you eat is a very important step in reducing your blood cholesterol levels.
Weight. Excess weight tends to increase your LDL-cholesterol level. If you are overweight and have a high LDL-cholesterol level, losing weight may help you lower it. Weight loss also helps to lower triglycerides and raise HDL.
Physical activity/exercise. Regular physical activity may lower LDL-cholesterol and raise HDL-cholesterol levels.
Age and sex. Before menopause, women usually have total cholesterol levels that are lower than those of men the same age. As women and men get older, their blood cholesterol levels rise until about 60 to 65 years of age. In women, menopause often causes an increase in their LDL-cholesterol and a decrease in their HDL- cholesterol level, and after the age of 50, women often have higher total cholesterol levels than men of the same age.
Alcohol. Alcohol intake increases HDL-cholesterol but does not lower LDL-cholesterol. Doctors don't know for certain whether alcohol also reduces the risk of heart disease. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle, lead to high blood pressure, and raise triglycerides. Because of the risks, alcoholic beverages should not be used as a way to prevent heart disease.
Stress. Stress over the long term has been shown in several studies to raise blood cholesterol levels. One way that stress may do this is by affecting your habits. For example, when some people are under stress, they console themselves by eating fatty foods. The saturated fat and cholesterol in these foods contribute to higher levels of blood cholesterol.
Kim Beardsmore is a weight loss consultant whose business operates across 60 countries. This world renowned, medically approved program will give you results you'll love and all the support you need! Estimate your healthy body weight, tons of recipes, articles, ezine and more information on how to lower your cholesterol at http://weight-loss-health.com.au
efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..Millions of people spend billions of dollars, hoping to achieve... Read More
Have you ever stopped to calculate how much time you... Read More
If you're trying lose weight, maintain your weight, or sculpt... Read More
Can You Lose Weight Where You Want?If you have excess... Read More
1. Drink 8-10 glasses of water each dayOkay, for many... Read More
One common question I receive is, "What do you do... Read More
We have such good weight loss intentions. We emotionally beat... Read More
There is only one way to lose weightThere really is... Read More
Many celiacs lose weight before they are diagnosed; indeed it... Read More
The term 'thermogenic' refers to a group of drugs or... Read More
How to Break the Weighing HabitFace it, if you weigh... Read More
We in the diet and exercise industry have our own... Read More
In the early weeks after having weight loss surgery almost... Read More
In December 2003, the FDA incorporated an ephedra ban making... Read More
I just read this conventional diet tip ? and we've... Read More
Doctors prescribe Walking as the best medicine for weight loss.We... Read More
In our quest to get that "perfect" body, we actually... Read More
Diet and Exercise. They are the inseparable twins that are... Read More
* Not walking on a treadmill everyday for 45 minutes... Read More
I just came back from three days in Las Vegas.... Read More
Finding the clinic that performs liposuctions in Newport Beach is... Read More
A little information if often a dangerous thing... and many... Read More
Fat burning exercise is not merely one that will burn... Read More
Is this even possible?Well hold on to your seat because... Read More
Search Yahoo for "papaya" and "kirstie" and you'll find at... Read More
cleaning lady near Wilmette ..Ever wondered why some people manage to keep their weight... Read More
In today's bustling world we are constantly surrounded by media... Read More
We hear it all the time?lose weight for your health.... Read More
Many people search for a pill, a special diet or... Read More
How to Say No When You Don't Want the FoodA... Read More
Some of my dieting tips are not conventional. You can... Read More
What is cellulite? Ask a doctor and he will probably... Read More
Atkins Nutritionals recently announced that they are filing for Chapter... Read More
Gastric bypass patients often find themselves regaining weight soon after... Read More
What are the best fad diets? It's a question I'm... Read More
The main reasons most people have difficulty maintaining their ideal... Read More
Diet PillsTaking diet pills is definitely not an effective weight... Read More
Body wraps can help tone and tighten the skin, improve... Read More
There are a lot of "crash" diets out there that... Read More
LivingAfterWLS reader feedback indicates snacking is the single biggest problem... Read More
Chant the following each day, several times. They are mantras... Read More
You know you have weighted, err, waited more than enough.... Read More
"I tried that diet and lost 8 pounds in the... Read More
Any weight loss or diet plan, including low-carb plans like... Read More
I'm sure you already know that weight loss and improved... Read More
Just one more day I can do this, I told... Read More
The term 'thermogenic' refers to a group of drugs or... Read More
Well we're at it again, trying to honor our promise... Read More
THE 200 POINT SYSTEMWith so many different diets available, how... Read More
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, writing... Read More
Weight Loss |