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
one time home cleaning Highland Park ..Supporters of the Atkins Diet claim that a low carbohydrate... Read More
You know what is so amazing? We get to keep... Read More
Do you know someone that is obsessed with the scale?... Read More
Staying Toned After Weight Loss ---------------------------------------- Following significant weight loss,... Read More
When we discover that we are heavier than we want... Read More
Unfortunately, obesity is reaching epidemic proportions, with over 60% of... Read More
WOW!! Here we are on lesson #10. Hasn't it been... Read More
Have you ever wondered where destiny would lead you? Have... Read More
Wow! You must be on fire by now burning and... Read More
Body Mass Index (bmi) A Misleading measure of ObesityMany professionals... Read More
WEIGHT LOSS:Nutrition and weight-loss researchers say that some supplements can... Read More
Frankie saddled up to the bar at the We-Stuff-Em-All Diner,... Read More
Diet advice ? a million "experts", hundreds of snake-oil miracle... Read More
Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More
The holidays are now officially over and it's time to... Read More
Humanity is always in search of a wonder drug that... Read More
Wanna know the truth? If you're going to... Read More
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor; nor do I play... Read More
Have you noticed since your WLS and return to regular... Read More
Here's a letter from my email:Dear Carol,I took your teleclass... Read More
One pound of fat equals 3500 calories. Want to lose... Read More
Your Can Turn Fat into Muscle......Fact or Fiction???Completely False!!!!First of... Read More
Many of us have tried losing weight in the past... Read More
If you are overweight and suffer from pain in your... Read More
1. CUT THE SIMPLE CARBS.It's unfortunate that the majority of... Read More
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..Are you sick of the hype? Wondering what diet products... Read More
Do a little people-watching, next time you're in the grocery... Read More
At the beginning of December, WeightWatchers.com announced the release of... Read More
Many of enjoy sitting down at Starbucks and enjoying a... Read More
From personal experience I have myself like all of you... Read More
Food cravings can be triggered by various things including low... Read More
REDUCE YOUR WEIGHTNow you are not very far from losing... Read More
Speculating on the scientifically proven memory unreliability, the memory specialist... Read More
I want to talk about the "all or nothing" outlook... Read More
I just finished working my quads on a weight machine.... Read More
Ready for a hardcore diet to get lean in a... Read More
We all have aspects of health we want to improve.... Read More
How to burn fat fast is a question that burns... Read More
Yes it's true- and so unfair. As we get older... Read More
So many people are talking about how slow their metabolism... Read More
If you want to reduce your body fat, focus on... Read More
If you are about to begin a diet, the number... Read More
Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More
How to Estimate How Many Calories You Can Have and... Read More
Mistake 1: Not changing your calorie plan as you lose... Read More
If you've been enjoying life after gastric bypass surgery you... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #3) Proper Meal FrequencyMeal Frequency (i.e., the... Read More
I was thinking about diets and such and it occurred... Read More
If you know someone that has been trying to lose... Read More
There is no need to worry too much if your... Read More
Weight Loss |