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Questions
What
is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol
is a soft, waxy fat found in the bloodstream. It’s an
important component of a good health because it’s used
to make cell membranes and certain hormones. But too much cholesterol
in the blood — hypercholesterolemia -- is a major risk
factor for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attacks.
How
does High Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease?
When there
is too much Cholesterol in your blood, the excess gets trapped
in the walls of your arteries. When the level exceeds the
ability of your antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, E and bioflavonoids
such as those found in grape seeds and skins) to prevent
it,* the excess Cholesterol gets oxidized and becomes hardened.
This forms plaque that builds up in the arteries causing
narrowing and reduced blood flow. When the narrowing becomes
severe, blood supply and oxygen to the heart muscle becomes
restricted. This causes damage to the heart muscle, which
in turn causes chest pain (Angina). If the blood supply gets
completely blocked by plaque or a blood clot, a heart attack
results (Myocardial Infarction). If a blood clot stops the
flow of blood in a narrowed artery in the brain a Stroke
results.
*Note:
In addition to CHOLESTRED™ to help lower your Cholesterol,
I recommend taking PEAK
ADVANTAGE – High Potency Multi Vitamin Mineral,
which contains all of the nutritional antioxidants I mentioned
above, including 400 I.U. of Vitamin E, which has been shown
to reduce your risk of heart disease by 75%.
High Cholesterol
build up occurs gradually over time without causing any symptoms
until the narrowing is so advanced that it finally chokes
off the supply of oxygen to the heart causing pain or death.
You can however, reverse the process by lowering your bad
LDL Cholesterol and raising your good HDL Cholesterol.
What
is a good Cholesterol level?
| Type
of Cholesterol |
Optimal
Range Male
|
Optimal
Range Female
|
Increased
Risk
|
High
Risk
|
Extreme
Risk
|
|
Total Cholesterol
|
below 190
|
below 180
|
above 200
|
above 240
|
above 260
|
|
HDL Cholesterol
|
above 50
|
above 70
|
below 45
|
below 35
|
below 25
|
|
LDL Cholesterol
|
below 100
|
below 100
|
above 130
|
above 140
|
above 165
|
|
CHOL/HDL Ratio
|
below 3.0
|
below 2.7
|
above 4.4
|
above 5.0
|
above 6.4
|
Current
guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program
recommend that people keep total cholesterol to 200 mg. per
deciliter (mg/dl). If your Total Cholesterol level is between
200 to 239 mg/dl, you are at an “Increased Risk” for
developing coronary heart disease. If your Total Cholesterol
Level is 240 mg/dl or above, you are in the “High Risk” category
for developing heart disease. Persons with Total Cholesterol
levels over 260 mg/dl have four times the risk of developing
heart disease than those with levels of 190 mg/dl or below.
I have
been told that my Chol/HDL Ratio is HIGH. What does that
mean?
The
most important indicator of heart disease risk is the ratio
of Total Cholesterol to HDL Cholesterol (Chol/HDL). The optimal
level for HDL (the good cholesterol) is 50+ mg/dl for men and
60+ mg/dl for women. The optimal ratio for Chol/HDL is 2.7 –3.0.
The average male victim of Heart Disease has a Chol/HDL ratio
of 5.5-6.1. The average female victim of Heart Disease has
a Chol/HDL ratio of 4.6-6.4. You need to get your ratio down.
Where
does Cholesterol come from?
We
get way too much Cholesterol from saturated fats in our diet.
We have also recently discovered that the most significant
cause of elevated Cholesterol is perhaps due to refined carbohydrates
and sugars that trigger the liver to produce excessive amounts
Cholesterol. This leads to excessive Cholesterol build up in
the arteries.
High Cholesterol
leads to hardening and narrowing of the arteries (Arteriosclerosis).
It is the number one cause of death in America, leading to
1.5 million heart attacks every year in the U.S. - more than
all other causes combined, including cancer, AIDS, diabetes,
and all accidents. More than 500,000 Americans die from heart
attacks every year. For 50% of those who die from a heart
attack the crushing pain that caused their death was their
first warning that they had a heart problem.
How
Your Body Controls Cholesterol Naturally
Most
of the body’s supply of Cholesterol (approximately 80%)
is produced in the liver. This natural supply of Cholesterol
is used to make cell membranes and many hormones. The manufacture
of Cholesterol is regulated by an enzyme in the liver called
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA-reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). When
the liver senses that it needs more Cholesterol, the body makes
more of this enzyme which in turn stimulates the production
of more Cholesterol. Additionally, Insulin stimulates and increase
in Cholesterol production by stimulating more HMG-CoA reductase
production. When you have sufficient Cholesterol for your needs,
your body reduces the amount of HMG-CoA reductase, which reduces
the amount of Cholesterol produced.
CHOLESTRED™ contains
two natural ingredients that when taken together may significantly
lower your Total Cholesterol / HDL Ratio. In more than 20
clinical trials, Red Yeast Rice (Monascus purpureus) has
been shown block the action of HMG-CoA reductase in the liver
and thereby significantly reduce the production of Total
Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, and Triglycerides, but does
not raise HDL Cholesterol. Red Clover contains specific isoflavones
that have been shown to raise the healthy HDL Cholesterol.
What
is LDL cholesterol?
Low
density lipoprotein is the major cholesterol carrier in the
blood. When a person has too much LDL cholesterol circulating
in the blood, it can slowly build up within the walls of the
arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances
it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those
arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. The formation
of a clot (or thrombus) in the region of this plaque can block
the flow of blood to part of the heart muscle and cause a heart
attack. If a clot blocks the flow of blood to part of the brain,
the result is a stroke. A high level of LDL cholesterol reflects
an increased risk of heart disease. That is why LDL cholesterol
is often called "bad" cholesterol.
What
is HDL cholesterol?
High
Density Lipoprotein (HDL) carries about one-third to one-fourth
of the Total blood Cholesterol. HDL carries cholesterol away
from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s eliminated
from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol
from atherosclerotic plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL
is known as "good" cholesterol because a high level of HDL
seems to protect against heart attack. The opposite is also
true: a low HDL level indicates a greater risk.
What
about cholesterol and diet?
Cholesterol
comes from two sources. It’s produced in your body, mostly
in the liver (about 1,000 milligrams a day). And it’s
found in foods that come from animals, such as meats, poultry,
fish, seafood and dairy products. Foods from plants (fruits,
vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds) do not contain cholesterol.
Saturated
fatty acids are the chief culprit in raising blood cholesterol,
which increases your risk of heart disease. But dietary cholesterol
also plays a part. The average American man consumes about
360 milligrams of cholesterol a day; the average woman, between
220 and 260 milligrams.
Some of
the excess dietary cholesterol is removed from the body through
the liver. Still, the American Heart Association recommends
that you limit your average daily cholesterol intake to less
than 300 milligrams.
People
with severe hypercholesterolemia may need an even greater
reduction. Since cholesterol is present in all foods from
animal sources, care must be taken to eat no more than six
ounces of lean meat, fish and poultry per day and to use
skim and low-fat dairy products. High-quality proteins from
vegetable sources are good substitutes for animal sources
of protein.
What
foods can I eat that lower Cholesterol?
The
most important dietary change you can make is to replace butter,
margarine, and unhealthy oils with Olive oil or Grapeseed oil. Grapeseed
oil is light flavored oil that doesn’t overpower
the flavor of your foods, so you’ll want to use it rather
than Olive oil unless you are cooking Italian dishes. Grapeseed
oil is rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin E, and shares
Olive oil's ability to raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels
and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Besides cooking with
it, you should sprinkle it on your toast, baked potato, vegetables,
etc. Putting an oil on foods may take some getting used to,
but even butter once its melted is also a liquid. Grapeseed
oil tastes great and its great for you.
Other foods
that lower Cholesterol include: almonds, artichokes (without
butter), avocados, buckwheat, garlic, soybeans, soymilk,
tofu, and walnuts.
How
does exercise (physical activity) affect cholesterol?
For
some people, exercise affects blood cholesterol level by increasing
HDL level ("good" cholesterol). A higher HDL level is linked
with decreased risk of heart disease. Exercise can also help
control weight, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Exercise
that uses oxygen to provide energy to large muscles (aerobic)
raises your heart and breathing rates. Regular exercise such
as brisk walking, jogging and swimming also condition your
heart and lungs.
Physical
inactivity has been established as a major risk factor for
heart disease. Even mild activities, if done daily, help
reduce your risk. Examples are walking for pleasure, gardening,
yard work, housework, dancing and prescribed home exercise.
How
does cigarette / tobacco smoke affect cholesterol?
Cigarette
and tobacco smoke is one of the six major risk factors of heart
disease that you can change, treat or modify. Smoking has been
shown to lower HDL or "good" cholesterol levels. Smokers' risk
of heart attack is more than twice that of nonsmokers. Cigarette
smoking is the biggest risk factor for sudden cardiac death:
smokers have two to four times the risk of nonsmokers. Smokers
who have a heart attack are more likely to die and die suddenly
(within an hour) than are nonsmokers. Available evidence also
indicates that chronic exposure to environmental tobacco smoke
(second-hand smoke, passive smoking) may increase the risk
of heart disease.
For a Natural
Alternative to help you quit smoking Dr. Hansen recommends:
Quit Now and Quit for Life. To learn more click here
How
does High blood pressure relate to High Cholesterol?
High
blood pressure increases the heart's workload, causing the
heart to enlarge and weaken over time. It also increases the
risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive
heart failure. When high blood pressure exists with obesity,
smoking, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk
of heart attack or stroke increases several times.
Does
Stress Effect Cholesterol levels?
Individual
response to stress may be a contributing factor. Some scientists
have noted a relationship between coronary heart disease risk
and stress in a person's life, their health behaviors and socioeconomic
status. These factors may affect established risk factors.
Stress causes the release of hormones that are thought to cause
oxidation of Cholesterol. Additionally, people under stress
may overeat, start smoking or smoke more than they otherwise
would. To help you deal with stress, Dr. Hansen recommends
Tranquil Clarity – Stress Relief Formula. To learn more
click here:
Will
losing Weight help me reduce my Cholesterol?
People
who have excess body fat are more likely to develop heart disease
and stroke even if they have no other risk factors. Obesity
is unhealthy because excess weight increases the strain on
the heart. It's directly linked with coronary heart disease
because it influences blood pressure, blood cholesterol and
triglyceride levels, and makes diabetes more likely to develop.
If you can lose as little as 10 to 20 pounds, you can help
lower your heart disease risk. To help lose weight Dr. Hansen
recommends SUCCEED – Weight Loss Formula. To learn more
click here .
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Clinical
Research
Am
J Clin Nutr1999 Feb;69(2):231-6
Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice
dietary supplement.
Heber D, Yip I, Ashley JM, Elashoff DA, Elashoff
RM, Go VL; Center for Human Nutrition, Department of Medicine,
UCLA School of Medicine, Los
Angeles, CA 90095-1742, USA. dheber@med1.medsch.ucla.edu
Vopr
Med Khim 1979 Jul-Aug;25(4):444-7
[Effect of the total flavonoids from red clover and chick-pea
on the lipid content in the blood and liver of rats].[Article
in Russian]
Leont'eva TP, Kazakov AL, Ryzhenkov VE
N
Am Menopause Society, 10th Annual Conference. 1999
The
effect of an Isoflavone dietary supplement (P-081) on serum
lipids, forearm bone density and endometrial thickness
in post menopausal women.
Rodney J. Baber, P Clifton Bligh, G Fulcher, D
Lieberman, L Nery, T Moreton.
Dept. of Ob/Gyn & Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney Australia.
FASEB
J 1991 [5]:A1645.
Lipid-lowering effect of a dietary nicotinic
acid-chromium (III) complex in male athletes.
Lefavi R, Anderson R, Keith R, Wilson D. Lipid
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