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.What
Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver. It is
essential to every cell in the body. Cholesterol also enters the
body through the saturated fats we consume in certain foods.
There are two basic types of cholesterol. One is considered
"good" the other "bad." The bad cholesterol is
called Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). A blood test that reveals bad
cholesterol below 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is considered
good. The good cholesterol is the High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). It
works to cleanse the blood vessels of excess LDL cholesterol, so a
higher number, anything above 40 mg/dL is desirable. Overall or
total cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL for optimal health.
Why
Is It Important to Lower Cholesterol?
Lower cholesterol is important to living a long and healthy life,
one that is free from heart disease or stroke. Those are risk
factors that come with elevated levels of cholesterol. The health
problems arise when there is too much total cholesterol in the blood
because it can no longer move freely through the arteries. Over time
excess cholesterol builds up against the artery walls and narrows
the space through which blood flows. This narrowing of the arteries
is called atherosclerosis. Eventually this passage becomes so small
it closes off blood flow completely and the result is a heart attack
or stroke. The risk of this is even greater if you also have high
blood pressure, diabetes, or if you are overweight.
How
Can You Lower Cholesterol Naturally?
Prescription drugs are commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol. One
effective and popular class of drugs is called statin drugs. These
medications do work to lower overall cholesterol, but carry with
them a number of side effects, some serious. Such negative side
effects can be nausea or vomiting, headache or diarrhea. There is
also the risk of muscle weakness or soreness, which is an indication
of possible kidney failure.
To lower cholesterol naturally, diet and exercise are imperative. A
low fat, low cholesterol diet containing specific vitamins and
minerals can significantly lower LDL cholesterol. This is true
whether your cholesterol is the result of poor diet choices or
hereditary. In addition, exercise can raise HDL cholesterol so that
your body is better equipped to remove excess LDL cholesterol.
Learn more about the proven formula for lowering cholesterol
naturally and how to avoid life-long drug therapies in The
60 Day Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure
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