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" Where Health and Wellness Begin"

Cholesterol is a necessary substance for the body. It is produced by the liver to insulate nerves and is used in the production of certain hormones. Unfortunately, when there is more that the body can use, it builds up along the walls of arteries, which can limit blood flow to the heart, brain, and other organs.

Fortunately, the liver also makes a "good" cholesterol, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL has the ability to attract "bad" cholesterol and return it to the liver for reprocessing. For this reason, an optimal cholesterol profile includes not just low "bad" cholesterol levels, but also high "good" cholesterol levels.

Most people can promote healthy cholesterol levels naturally. There is a small percentage of people that have a genetic disorder that keeps cholesterol high regardless of what they do. Although following healthy guidelines may help, they will need to stay on cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Reduce your intake of saturated fat.
Saturated fat stimulates the liver to produce LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Cut back on animal foods such as meats, unskinned poultry, whole milk and whole milk products, and butter. Use of monounsaturated fats may help lower LDL cholesterol, so cook with olive oil. Choose a non-hydrogenated spread made with olive or canola oil. (Note: A recent study has found that dietary cholesterol (such as egg yolks and other animal products) is not as important as watching your intake of saturated fats.

Watch for trans-fatty acids.
These fats act much like saturated fats in your body, but they also lower HDL ("good") cholesterol. Avoid deep fried foods (fast food), vegetable shortening, margarine, and partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils (commercial snack foods).

Stop smoking.
Smoking increase total cholesterol and decreases HDL cholesterol. Kids exposed to passive smoke lowered their HDL cholesterol by 10 percent.

Exercise.
Regular aerobic exercise can raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol. A brisk walk of 45 minutes a day, five days a week, should do it.

Watch your weight.
Losing extra weight around the middle can improve cholesterol levels.

Natural Supplements
Substituting soy products for animal protein can reduce total and LDL cholesterol by 10 percent in nine weeks. Adding at least 7 grams of soluble fiber per day can lower both total and LDL cholesterol. Soluble fiber can be found in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Good sources are apples, lentils, dried beans, peas, barley, flaxseed, citrus fruits, carrots, and oats. Supplements containing chitosan has also been shown to reduce total and LDL cholesterol. One such supplement is FiberNet.

Increase Your Intake of Antioxidants
Drinking three or more cups of green tea a day prevents oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the first step in the formation of arterial plaque) better than vitamin C. Green tea contains polyphenols that act as powerful antioxidants. Drinking 12 to 14 ounces of purple grape juice per day for two weeks appears to delay the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (as reported at the Annual American College of Cardiology meeting). Check out Tegreen97 -- Green Tea in a capsule. Both red wine and purple grape juice contain flavonoids, which is being studied for their healthy properties. One drawback is that drinking either may provide more alcohol or sugar than you want to add to your diet, especially if you are watching your weight. Other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, also delay oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Make sure your vitamin supplements supply your daily antioxidant needs.

Add one to two raw or lightly cooked garlic cloves a day to lower total cholesterol and triglycerides. Toss some mushrooms into your salad. Shitake mushrooms contain eritadenine, which lowers cholesterol in animal studies.

Excess stress keeps more LDL cholesterol in circulation, leading to greater chances of plaque formation. Learning to relax through breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga may reduce your risk.

If you have made all of the above changes and you still have a total cholesterol level between 200 and 240, you may want to add Cholestin to your diet. Tufts University researchers reported that Cholestin lowered total cholesterol and average of 16.4 percent, a decrease in LDL of 21 percent, and an increase in HDL ("good") cholesterol of 14.6 percent, with no significant side effects. Unfortunately, Cholestin (red yeast rice) was taken off of the US market by the FDA, because they determined that it was a drug and should be regulated. A reformulated Cholestin is available, but studies of it's efficacy are still out.

If all else fails, ask your doctor about cholesterol lowering drugs. People that cannot get their cholesterol levels down any other way may need to add a prescription drug. (If you do take these drugs, you may want to add Coenzyme Q10, as some of these drugs may block the production of this enzyme.)

Retail costs listed on this page are for comparison purposes only. Discounted prices available on most products.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The information presented on these pages is based on scientifically based research and current medical knowledge. Many of the supplements mentioned on these pages have been used to treat diseases for hundreds or thousands of years. The medical community is just beginning to research natural treatments. As new information develops, the information on these pages will be updated. Whenever possible, several sources for each supplement will be listed. The manufacturers mentioned within, have presented evidence that they have independent studies demonstrating standardization of potency, purity, and activity for that product. Some of the products presented are processed by Pharmanex.

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It is never too late to make healthy changes in your life. If you are ready to make a change, Healthstop is here to support you.

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