Cholestrol Controls Guide

Staying Healthy by Avoiding a List of High Cholesterol Foods

2008-01-21T16:48:00.000-08:00

High cholesterol foods may often be tasty but they can be shortening a person’s life span by raising the cholesterol levels in their body and clogging up their blood vessels. High cholesterol can lead to further problems such as heart disease and it is much better to prevent things from getting this far.

Saturated fat is often found in a list of high cholesterol foods which should be either cut out from the diet or significantly cut down. Saturated fats raise the amount of bad cholesterol in the body, therefore consuming too many foods containing saturated fats could lead to a higher risk of a heart attack or other heart problems occurring. A certain amount of cholesterol is necessary for a healthy body but a normal amount is already produced in the body.

A list of high cholesterol foods will contain many foods that should be eaten only occasionally or not at all. The fat in these foods can cause the liver to overproduce cholesterol and without whole grain foods and oats, the cholesterol does not leave the body as it should. A number of foods are low in cholesterol but are full of saturated fats, making them just as harmful. On the same note, some foods contain cholesterol but also contain polyunsaturated fats which cause the liver to produce more good cholesterol.

A Black List of Foods High in Cholesterol

A maximum of 300mg of cholesterol should be consumed in any given day so it is a surprise to learn that a medium sized egg contains over 200mg of cholesterol. Even having two eggs for breakfast can surpass the recommended level of cholesterol. There are many foods that could place in a black list of foods high in cholesterol. Arming yourself with a list of foods that are high in cholesterol could make a shopping trip a healthier experience.

Egg yolks, red meat, chicken, fish, dairy products and all animal fats are high in cholesterol. Processed foods and pastries are also full of cholesterol. Cheese, butter, ice-cream, cake and meat; all things that we take for granted but could be slowly sending us on the way to heart disease. They can be eaten albeit in moderation while the levels of cholesterol in these foods could be counteracted by exercising and consuming whole grains. Taking a healthy stance in regards to cholesterol could save your life and add years to it.

Effects of the Atkins Diet and Cholesterol Levels

2008-01-21T16:47:00.000-08:00

The Atkins diet is probably one of the most controversial diets as it is one that is most argued about. One of the aspects of this low carb diet is the possible affects it may or may not have on cholesterol levels. The Atkins diet and subsequent cholesterol levels have often been debated as although many studies show that this diet lowers cholesterol, others are still adamant that it can significantly raise cholesterol levels. There is no easy answer to appease either side as the fact is the Atkins diet and subsequent cholesterol levels can have different results depending on the person, their exact meal plan and how long they persist in the diet.

The Atkins diet works on the basis that by consuming low carb foods, the body must use fat stores for energy. A lot of people eat high cholesterol foods and this is why the Atkins diet is thought to higher cholesterol levels but advocates claim that as it decreases the amount of fat in the body, cholesterol levels can even be lowered. This tends to work on cholesterol levels if it is based on short term usage and the Atkins diet itself does not only consist of high cholesterol foods. People who use the Atkins diet to lose weight often consume a very high level of fatty and high cholesterol foods. It is important to realize that this should not be a long term lifestyle.

Atkins and Low Cholesterol Diets

Atkins is not generally perceived as a low cholesterol and carbohydrate diet but recent studies have proven this to be the case, at least in the short term. Low carb diets can now be considered as low cholesterol diets and this includes Atkins. The Atkins diet and high cholesterol have always been thought to be linked together and many felt they were sacrificing their cholesterol levels for their weighing scales. Not all of the foods on the Atkins diet are high in calories and bad cholesterol so it is necessary to ensure that foods like red meat are eaten in moderation as there are other alternatives on the Atkins diet. The mistake that many people make is to eat any food allowed and lots of it but any kind of excess can have some detrimental affects to anyone’s health. A safer alternative to the Atkins diet would be to devise a personalized low carb diet which allows only small portions of high fat and cholesterol foods. Discussing this diet with a nutritionist is a great start as is consulting a physician.

Controlling High Cholesterol By Eating Less High Cholesterol Foods

2007-09-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

As part of your annual medical checkup the doctor has shared with you the results of your blood work. Your blood work, and specifically the cholesterol levels, are abnormally high.

As part of the treatment plan your physician is suggesting that you exercise, cut down your consumption of alcohol and take high cholesterol medication. In addition, your doctor is strongly suggesting that you cut out high cholesterol foods. As part of that diet it is strongly recommended that you avoid foods that contain highly saturated fat and processed foods.

Saturated Fat Foods

There are a number of factors that can raise the cholesterol level in individuals. Cholesterol is produced naturally by the body’s liver. There are two types of cholesterol found in the bloodstream. The first type of cholesterol is LDL cholesterol. This is the bad cholesterol which, in over abundance, can create clogging of the arteries. The good cholesterol is the HDL cholesterol and is metabolically important for the proper functioning of the body. Two of the main factors that increase the levels of cholesterol include a person’s genetic makeup and the foods that they eat.

Of the two, high cholesterol due to a person’s diet can be managed through their eating habits. Generally, an individual who has dietary high cholesterol eats high cholesterol foods which are foods high in saturated fat. Specifically, some of those high cholesterol foods include eggs, cream cheese, butter, cheddar cheese and ice cream.

In addition, protein derived from meat products can be classified as high cholesterol foods. These foods can include red meat from cattle and lamb.

Processed Foods

Other foods that can be classified as high cholesterol foods are processed foods. Some of these foods have been processed to be tastier, but generally have no added nutritional value. As a result of the processing, some of the food products have been altered and subsequently have been infused with levels of cholesterol or saturated fat.

An example of a processed food can be potato chips. Potatoes, in their natural form, are a vegetable and contain no amounts of cholesterol. When they are processed to make potato chips it requires the use of saturated fats which in turn contributes to their containing cholesterol.

Therefore, if minimizing the ingestion of high cholesterol foods it is important to read the nutritional label attached on food items sold. Careful attention should be given to see what the levels of fat and saturated fat are on the reflected nutritional label. Also, some labels may contain a separate line item that reflects the number of grams or milligrams of cholesterol contained in a serving of the product.

Three Specific Ways On How To Lower Cholesterol

2007-08-04T08:04:00.001-07:00

When discussing ways on how to lower cholesterol, it is important to understand that cholesterol is needed by the body. Produced by the liver, the function of cholesterol combines with proteins in the blood stream to become lipoproteins. This process helps with the proper functioning of the metabolism of the body.

Also, there are two types of cholesterol found within the body. The first type of cholesterol is called HDL cholesterol. This type of cholesterol is healthy or good cholesterol found within the body. The second type of cholesterol is LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol. This type of cholesterol is categorized as bad because it is fatty in texture. This texture does not blend well within the blood stream which may result in the clogging of the arteries.

Therefore, it is the LDL cholesterol that a person needs to manage. This lowering of LDL cholesterol can be accomplished through a proper diet, exercise and medication.

Proper Diet

One of the best ways to answer the question of how to lower cholesterol is by managing one's diet. Often high levels of LDL cholesterol can be attributed to a person's ingestion of high fatty foods or foods that are high in saturated fats.

Specifically, foods that are high in saturated fats are foods processed from animals. Some of these foods can be cheeses, eggs, cream cheeses etc. In addition, red meat from animals and the eating of lamb can be high sources of bad cholesterol

In addition, if an individual is wondering how to lower cholesterol, they can find the answer by combining their shopping for food with reading. Specifically, the shopper should read the nutritional labels that are contained on the food packages. Often these labels will disclose the levels of cholesterol, saturated fats and fats that are contained in the product.

Exercise

Another important element to a person’s lifestyle that can be enhanced when wondering how to lower cholesterol is by establishing an exercise program or increasing an exercise program. Specifically, a person should concentrate on a good cardiovascular workout on a regular basis. Examples of this type of workout include walking, jogging, swimming, etc.

Medication

One additional method that can answer the question of how to lower cholesterol is through the use of medication. Through the use of medication the individual may be able to control cholesterol that is hereditary. In addition, there is medication on the market that will help to absorb the release of cholesterol found in the food that is eaten.

There are basically two medications that can be utilized and function in two separate ways. One medication works strictly with the liver and helps to minimize the production of cholesterol. The other type of medication works in the digestive tract and helps minimize the absorption of dietary cholesterol into the bloodstream.

What is Good Cholesterol?

2007-07-10T08:29:00.005-07:00

Most of us know what cholesterol is. It is a fatty substance that is produced in the body by the liver and also comes from the food we eat such as meat, eggs and dairy products. What most people don’t know is what good cholesterol is. Good cholesterol is vital for the body and forms a part of each and every cell. Cholesterol is essential to make hormones, vitamin D, create bile acids and maintain healthy cell walls.

The good variety of cholesterol is known as HDL or high density lipoprotein. HDL helps to rid the body of bad cholesterol. Increasing the amounts of HDL and lowering the amounts of LDL in the body can help to lower the chances of heart disease occurring. Being active and restricting the amount of food consumed that contains saturated fats are essential ways to maintain an optimum level of cholesterol in the body. Fruits, vegetables and grains do not contain cholesterol which is why most vegans have low levels of cholesterol.

What is Bad Cholesterol?

Just about everyone has heard of or knows what bad cholesterol is. It is the excess amounts of cholesterol in the blood often caused by eating too much of the wrong foods. What is really bad about cholesterol is when the levels get too high, the blood vessels can become clogged which can increase the chances of a stroke or heart disease occurring.

When we eat too much animal fat, this is exactly what happens. LDL or low density lipoprotein is the type of cholesterol which can clog up blood vessels. It is essential that are diets and lifestyles lower the amounts of LDL in the body or we could all be highly susceptible to heart disease.

It is imperative that people who consume a lot of saturated fats are aware of the damage that they are doing to their systems. Even healthy foods like eggs contain a huge amount of cholesterol in relation to their size so a diet that is low in animal fats is ideal.

Most adults suffer from cholesterol levels that are way too high and it is advisable for all of us to have these levels checked on an annual basis in order to ascertain just how healthy we are. High cholesterol levels can be lowered without the use of medication. In fact, eating a diet full of healthy food and getting plenty of exercise are the best ways to lower cholesterol to an acceptable level.

Testing For Total Cholesterol Levels

2007-07-10T08:29:00.003-07:00

There are a few different names for cholesterol tests such as total cholesterol, lipid tests, lipoprotein test or lipid profile. These tests all do essentially the same thing, which is measure the amount of cholesterol or triglycerides in serums (blood).

Preparing For And Taking A Cholesterol Test

It is advisable to fast for nine to twelve hours before you go to the lab for a cholesterol test. Only water should be ingested during the fasting period because any other substances can possibly affect the test results. For adults, no other preparation is necessary. For infants and children requiring testing, explaining the steps of blood collection will help relieve some anxiety, but infants may still need to be restrained.

A sample of blood is needed to perform a total cholesterol test. For a quick simple test a lancet is used to prick a finger and a small amount of blood is applied to a test strip, slide or other small container. The results for this type of test can take mere minutes.

A more detailed cholesterol test requires more blood so the sample must extracted from a vein using a needle and collected in an airtight vial or syringe. It can take several days to get the results from this type of test.

Total Cholesterol Level Test Results

The results of a cholesterol test will help your doctor decide what treatments, if any, are necessary to reduce your risks of heart disease and stroke. Normal levels of total cholesterol are less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), while 200-239 mg/dl is considered borderline high and any reading 240 mg/dl or higher is considered high.

Cholesterol test results, other than total cholesterol, will give you the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides.

Doctor’s Orders

Depending on the results of your cholesterol test your doctor may first prescribe that a new diet that is low in fat and cholesterol. Increasing the amount and frequency of regular exercise can also help lower your total cholesterol number. As always, smoking cessation is advised not only to control cholesterol levels but also to improve your health in general.

But if these lifestyle changes do not bring your total cholesterol levels into a normal range, prescription medications may be necessary. These drugs, known as statins, come in a variety of brand names. Your doctor has many choices and will advise you about potential side effects of any he may prescribe.

To truly get your cholesterol numbers under control and reduce your risks of premature heart attack or stroke you must watch your diet, exercise regularly and take your medicines as directed.

What Is Zocor Cholesterol Medicine And What Does It Do?

2007-07-10T08:29:00.001-07:00

It can be very difficult lowering your cholesterol, so there has been medication to make it easier on some people. Zocor cholesterol medicine is important for many people because it can help them in numerous ways. If you have high cholesterol, you will definitely want to at least ask your doctor about this medication. He/she will let you know what it will do for you and whether or not you should get it.

Essentially, Zocor cholesterol medicine lowers your cholesterol. If your doctor prescribes this to you, it will most likely be because you cannot lower your high blood cholesterol by just dieting. Therefore, if you are dieting to lower your cholesterol and it is not working, there is a good chance you will be able to get Zocor. You will obviously still have to diet while taking the medication, but at least you will have some help in the process.

If you truly want to lower your risk for heart diseases and a plethora of other health problems, then combining Zocor cholesterol medicine with other methods is important. As mentioned above, you will want to continue dieting, but you should also exercise and attempt other safe methods of weight-loss. Doing as much as you can in this process will go a long way to keeping you healthy.

If you happen to have high cholesterol and even heart disease, Zocor cholesterol medicine will do many things for you. It will reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke (including the “mini stroke”). If you take this medication, you might also be able to stave off bypass surgery or angioplasty to clear your clogged arteries. If you have diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or a history of stroke, then Zocor can help you too – this medicine has been known to reduce the aforementioned risks in those people as well.

What Are Some Side Effects To Zocor Cholesterol Medicine?

Like any form of medication, there are side effects that you must be aware of. It is important that you inform your doctor immediately if you feel any of these: abdominal pain and/or headaches. After informing your doctor about these side effects you feel, he/she will determine if you should keep taking the medication.

Zocor will only be used if all other methods have failed to bring down your cholesterol levels, and only then will it be combined with these other methods. Nevertheless, do not get discouraged if you cannot bring down your cholesterol levels because Zocor cholesterol medicine can most certainly help you out. Just be sure to inform your doctor if anything does not feel right while you are on the medication.