What is high cholesterol?
By Michele Carelse | On March 24, 2006 | In Cholesterol | Rated 
High cholesterol can be well controlled by combining a healthy lifestyle with the correct medical treatment. This can include synthetic prescription medication, natural remedies or a combination of both. If you are already taking prescription medication to control cholesterol levels, it is important to consult your doctor before making any changes.
Cholesterol is a fat like substance that circulates in the blood and is produced by the body from dietary cholesterol and saturated fats in food. Cholesterol is not harmful if kept within acceptable limits.
It is used by the body to perform a variety of vital functions, including building and maintaining cell membranes, hormone synthesis, and the manufacture of Vitamin D. It is only when blood cholesterol levels become too high, that too much cholesterol can become a problem.
The body manufactures two types of cholesterol - LDL (which is seen as a 'bad' form of cholesterol) and HDL (which is seen as a 'good' form of cholesterol).
When LDL levels are too high, this leads to a buildup of plaque in the arteries, with an increased risk of heart attack and atherosclerosis. Healthy levels of HDL will help to clean away cholesterol in the arteries before it has a chance to build up.
In order to maintain healthy levels, we need to keep the LDL levels down and the HDL levels up.
What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?
High cholesterol levels often exist without any significant symptoms and many people only discover the problem after they have had heart problems like angina or even a heart attack.
If your cholesterol levels are very high, you may notice small yellow nodules beneath the skin of your eyes, eyebrows or elbows. Although it is possible to do a home test (obtainable from your pharmacy), these tests only measure total blood cholesterol levels and do not measure HDL.
The best way to find out whether you have high cholesterol levels is to visit your doctor, homeopath, naturopath or other health care provider.
Healthy adults should have their cholesterol levels measured at least every five years and more frequently if they are overweight, already have a cholesterol problem or if there is a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol.
What causes high cholesterol levels?
There is a definite link between high cholesterol levels and a diet high in dietary cholesterol and saturated fat, although genetic factors also play an important role. Smoking, being overweight and insufficient exercise can also contribute to high cholesterol levels.
How is it usually treated?
It is very important to take steps to control your cholesterol levels. If it is left untreated, high cholesterol can result in heart disease or even stroke.
The good news is that high cholesterol can be well controlled by combining a healthy lifestyle with the correct medical treatment.
This can include synthetic prescription medication, natural remedies or a combination of both. If you are already taking prescription medication to control cholesterol levels, it is important to consult your doctor before making any changes.
Synthetic prescription medication for high cholesterol
In response to soaring rates of high cholesterol and atherosclerosis, the pharmaceutical companies have produced a class of drugs which are collectively known as 'statins'.
The statins have a one dimensional effect of reducing the body's ability to synthesize cholesterol. They do not, however, distinguish between the 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) and the 'good' cholesterol (HDL) and can also reduce levels of Co-enzyme Q10 and L-carnitine, two very important molecules which are involved in energy production and fat metabolism.
Myalgia and even stomach, lung and liver tumors have also been associated with the use of these drugs. It is very important that people who are taking prescription medication for high cholesterol be regularly monitored by their doctor.
© 2001-2005 Native Remedies
Michele Carelse is a Registered Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Counselor with more than 12 years experience. She runs her own private practice, as well as an online counseling and information service http://www.ourFamilysHealth.com/naturalremedies/counseling.html
Visit OurFamilysHealth.com for safe Natural Remedies and natural homeopathics for Cholesterol http://www.ourFamilysHealth.com/naturalremedies/cholesterol.html
It is used by the body to perform a variety of vital functions, including building and maintaining cell membranes, hormone synthesis, and the manufacture of Vitamin D. It is only when blood cholesterol levels become too high, that too much cholesterol can become a problem.
The body manufactures two types of cholesterol - LDL (which is seen as a 'bad' form of cholesterol) and HDL (which is seen as a 'good' form of cholesterol).
When LDL levels are too high, this leads to a buildup of plaque in the arteries, with an increased risk of heart attack and atherosclerosis. Healthy levels of HDL will help to clean away cholesterol in the arteries before it has a chance to build up.
In order to maintain healthy levels, we need to keep the LDL levels down and the HDL levels up.
What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?
High cholesterol levels often exist without any significant symptoms and many people only discover the problem after they have had heart problems like angina or even a heart attack.
If your cholesterol levels are very high, you may notice small yellow nodules beneath the skin of your eyes, eyebrows or elbows. Although it is possible to do a home test (obtainable from your pharmacy), these tests only measure total blood cholesterol levels and do not measure HDL.
The best way to find out whether you have high cholesterol levels is to visit your doctor, homeopath, naturopath or other health care provider.
Healthy adults should have their cholesterol levels measured at least every five years and more frequently if they are overweight, already have a cholesterol problem or if there is a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol.
What causes high cholesterol levels?
There is a definite link between high cholesterol levels and a diet high in dietary cholesterol and saturated fat, although genetic factors also play an important role. Smoking, being overweight and insufficient exercise can also contribute to high cholesterol levels.
How is it usually treated?
It is very important to take steps to control your cholesterol levels. If it is left untreated, high cholesterol can result in heart disease or even stroke.
The good news is that high cholesterol can be well controlled by combining a healthy lifestyle with the correct medical treatment.
This can include synthetic prescription medication, natural remedies or a combination of both. If you are already taking prescription medication to control cholesterol levels, it is important to consult your doctor before making any changes.
Synthetic prescription medication for high cholesterol
In response to soaring rates of high cholesterol and atherosclerosis, the pharmaceutical companies have produced a class of drugs which are collectively known as 'statins'.
The statins have a one dimensional effect of reducing the body's ability to synthesize cholesterol. They do not, however, distinguish between the 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) and the 'good' cholesterol (HDL) and can also reduce levels of Co-enzyme Q10 and L-carnitine, two very important molecules which are involved in energy production and fat metabolism.
Myalgia and even stomach, lung and liver tumors have also been associated with the use of these drugs. It is very important that people who are taking prescription medication for high cholesterol be regularly monitored by their doctor.
© 2001-2005 Native Remedies
Michele Carelse is a Registered Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Counselor with more than 12 years experience. She runs her own private practice, as well as an online counseling and information service http://www.ourFamilysHealth.com/naturalremedies/counseling.html
Visit OurFamilysHealth.com for safe Natural Remedies and natural homeopathics for Cholesterol http://www.ourFamilysHealth.com/naturalremedies/cholesterol.html