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Cholesterol By The Numbers |
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Written by Webmaster
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By AJ Best11
 Just what exactly is cholesterol and what does it mean if it gets high?
Believe it or not, cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance that is produced naturally in the body. It is a wax like substance that is made in the liver and is used by the body to create vitamin D and hormones. It also plays a roll in the digestion of foods.
While cholesterol is considered a very natural substance to find in the body, the problem comes in when there is too much of it in the body. The problem is that cholesterol is not only made by the body, it's consumed in many foods that we eat including meat, eggs, butter and other dairy products.
If the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream is higher than it should be, this substance will begin to adhere to arterial walls. Called plague, the formation can cause the arteries and veins to narrow and reduce their effectiveness at supplying the body with oxygen-rich blood. The end result of unchecked blockage is often a heart attack, stroke or other serious
and even fatal complication.
What The Numbers Mean
A cholesterol test may return with several different numbers related to the different types of fat found in the body. The result may include information about:
o Low density lipoproteins - Called LDL for short, this is considered the "bad" cholesterol. It can cause plague buildup on arterial walls and is a key factor in the presentation of heart disease.
o High density lipoproteins - This type of cholesterol is called HDL for short. It's also known as the good cholesterol because it helps the bloodstream get rid of LDL. The higher this level generally the better.
o Very low density lipoproteins - VLDL is also considered a problem to be concerned about.
o Triglycerides - This type of fat is a potential indicator of problems if its levels are too high.
While some reports might break out the four numbers, doctors tend to look at the "total cholesterol" count to help them determine if a patient should be concerned or not. If the numbers in this total count are:
o Less than 200 - If numbers are in this range, the overall levels of cholesterol are are in an acceptable range and are not likely contributing to plague formation.
o 200 to 239 - This is considered borderline high. People with these numbers should consider taking the necessary steps to bring them down.
o 240 or above - Numbers above 240 tend to be real red flags for doctors. Measures are often strongly recommended to bring the numbers down to prevent heart disease and other potential complications.
Natural Alternatives For Tackling Cholesterol
While medical science has made a number of prescription drugs available to treat high cholesterol, there are several natural alternatives available. Taking the right natural steps can produce desired results and help people avoid potentially harmful complications from prescription drugs. Some of the more effective means of lowering cholesterol levels without pharmaceuticals include:
o Eating right - Just cutting out high cholesterol foods and adding healthful choice to the diet can make a big difference.
o Exercising - Researchers have found the regular exercise can have a substantial positive impact on total cholesterol numbers.
o Taking supplements - There are drug-free supplements that can lower cholesterol numbers by introducing the right vitamins, minerals and antioxidants into the body. These products remove the risks of side effects and can offer pleasing results without fear of complications such as memory loss that can go along with certain prescriptions to treat high cholesterol.
o Weight control - Generally, the more well controlled weight happens to be the better cholesterol numbers are.
When doctors say cholesterol numbers are high, there is cause for concern. Taking natural steps can make the difference that is desired to protect the arteries and overall health.
AJ Best has articles on healthy living and lowering cholesterol, natural supplements, and much more published on more than 100 websites and blogs, including: http://www.getsolace.com/
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