High Cholesterol - Should Fats Be Avoided
Should Fat Be Avoided?
I do not think so!
Fats are obtained from food or formed in the body, mostly in the liver, and
can be stored in fat cells for future use. Fats are essential components of
cell membranes, of the myelin sheaths that surround nerve cells, and of bile.
Fat is often targeted as the main dietary factor which affects blood
cholesterol.
Fat serves many functions in the body therefore, a fat free diet is not a
healthy diet. Indeed fat soluble vitamins such vitamin E and Vitamin A require
fat in order to be absorbed! Fat in your abdomen increases your risk of many
of the serious conditions associated with obesity. A womans waist should
measure less than 35 inches.
The Need of Exercise
Exercise also can help reduce body weight, which, in turn, can help reduce
cholesterol. Recent research has shown that moderate alcohol use (one drink
per day for women, two drinks a day for men) can raise HDL cholesterol and
therefore reduce the risk of heart attack.
Exercise is an extremely important part of lowering bad cholesterol and
raising good cholesterol. It should consist of 20-30 minutes of vigorous
aerobic exercise at least three times a week. Exercise helps boost HDL levels
in the blood - and that’s a good thing!
Exercisers have a low risk of heart disease. People over forty years of age
or who have heart disease should talk with their doctor before starting an
exercise program; overdoing it can actually trigger heart attacks. Exercise,
controlled breathing, meditation and disciplines like yoga can be of
tremendous value in helping to lower stress levels.
Exercise also can help reduce body weight, which, in turn, can help reduce
cholesterol. Recent research has shown that moderate alcohol use (one drink
per day for women, two drinks a day for men) can raise HDL cholesterol and
therefore reduce the risk of heart attack.
Exercise is an extremely important part of lowering bad cholesterol and
raising good cholesterol. It should consist of 20-30 minutes of vigorous
aerobic exercise at least three times a week. Exercise helps boost HDL levels
in the blood - and that’s a good thing!
Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both women and men in the
United States. High blood cholesterol levels raise your chances of getting
heart disease. Heart disease has traditionally been considered a man’s
disease because women usually have total cholesterol levels that are lower
than those of men the same age.
However, heart disease is a leading cause of health problems in women,
especially after the menopause, which often causes an increase in their LDL (”
bad”) cholesterol and a decrease in their HDL (”good”) cholesterol level.
Heart disease is the major cause of death in men. On average, men develop
coronary artery disease 10 to 15 years earlier than women do and have a
greater risk for dying of heart disease at a younger age.
Eating animal-based foods impairs the heart’s ability to do its job. Meat and
dairy products are high in cholesterol and saturated fat. Eat more of fresh
fruits, grains, vegetables and salads avoiding oil-based dressings, which can
be substituted with vinegar or lemon-based dressings.
Cook vegetables with herbs or spices instead of cooking oil or ghee. Eating
fast food all the time is definitely a killer when it comes to cholesterol;
however, fast food is not the only type of food that you need to watch out
for. Here you will learn what foods you need to limit in your diet and which
foods you should eat more of to improve your cholesterol health.
Statins are used for lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol in men and women.
Nicotinic acid or niacin, and fibrates (e.g., Tricor) are used to raise HDL (
good) cholesterol. Statins, however do have side effects such as erectile
dysfunction.
Robert Pasquill is a Cancer Survivorof some 20 years
For more High Cholesterol information and health tips, please visit my sites. .
