LDL HDL Ratio

Posts Tagged ‘Hdl’

Adapted from www.cityslim.com

Everywhere you turn these days, you can easily find yourself bombarded with campaigns advising you to “Go Green.” Go green to save the environment, to conserve energy… but to stop cancer? Yes, that’s right. Now, you can go green (in terms of your tea selection) to save, well… yourself!

Green tea stands apart from other teas due to its possession of a special ingredient: EGCG, or Epigallocatechin-3-gallate. This biologically-active constituent of green tea imparts numerous health benefits to its drinkers, such as alleviating rheumatoid arthritis, improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol, preventing cardiovascular disease and infection, and improving impaired immune function.[i] However, the most compelling evidence of the powers of EGCG becomes evident when examining its effects on various types of cancers.

A powerful antioxidant, EGCG has been shown to inhibit growth of ovarian cancer cells and sensitize them to certain anticancer drugs.[ii] In the laboratory where I work at Columbia University, studies have recently been published examining the mechanism by which EGCG inhibits colon cancer cell lines in vitro.[iii] Moreover, our laboratory was the first to propose a novel mechanism by which EGCG exerts anticancer effects in various experimental systems. EGCG has been proposed to target multiple components in cancer cell membranes, thereby disrupting several aspects of membrane organization and function.[iv] Myriad other laboratory studies demonstrate the natural anti-cancer effect of EGCG in the inhibition of the growth and development of tumors in a vast array of human cancers.

Overall, the results of EGCG’s anticancer effects look promising. However, Dr. I Bernard Weinstein, Director Emeritus of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Research Center (ICRC) and head of an ICRC oncology laboratory, advises that before we can go around telling people to drink tea, more studies are needed on smaller doses. “The doses our laboratory works with are very high; the amount of EGCG we use would be the equivalent of about 8-10 cups of tea.” While we cannot be sure that the benefits of EGCG hold true for lower doses, the live-saving potential of EGCG certainly exists.

Not a fan of drinking tea? You can still get your fix of EGCG without the brew!

Here’s how:

Kashi Heart to Heart Toasted Oat Cereal

I’ve been eating Kashi’s tasty Heart to Heart Toasted Oat Cereal for years, but I have only recently discovered the “green tea extract” hidden amongst the other heart-healthy ingredients on the nutrition panel. Eat your EGCG daily with this crunchy, honey-sweetened breakfast. Bonus: Heart to Heart also includes the anti-oxidants beta-carotene, grapeseed extract, lycopene, and vitamin E. Approximately $3.75/box.

T Bar

Made by the Tze The company, this nutrition bar boasts 130 mg of EGCG and 4 g of fiber, with a Rice Krispy Treat-esque consistency. Three grams of green tea leaves combined with brown rice and other whole grains give an earthy, but sweet, taste to this healthy treat. Approx. $18/dozen.

Luna Tea Cakes

With 130 calories and 1.5 g of fat and described as a “cross between a cookie and an energy bar,” Luna Tea Cakes are baked with green tea. The vanilla-macadamia variety has over 80 mg of EGCG, as well as about 3 g each of protein and fiber. Approx. $16/dozen.

And finally, a company called Neuchatel produces Green Tea Chocolates, containing EGCG extract from Green Tea. However, Neuchatel has informed me that their chocolates, which come in varieties such as Dark Swiss Chocolate and Sugar-Free Milk Chocolate are created especially for people with cancer. These chocolates contain very high EGCG concentrations and are not recommended for the general public.

In the wise words of an ancient Chinese proverb: “Better to go three days without food than one without tea.” Go green!

READ MORE ON WWW.CITYSLIM.COM

[i]http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0846/is_7_26/ai_n18629771

[ii] Chan MM, Soprano KJ, Weinstein K, Fong D. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate delivers hydrogen peroxide to induce death of ovarian cancer cells and enhances their cisplatin susceptibility. J Cell Physiol. 2006 May;207(2):389-96.

[iii], [iv] Adachi S, et al. The inhibitory effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor is associated with altered lipid order in HT29 colon cancer cells. Cancer Res. 2007 Jul 1;67(13):6493-501.

Men who are at the ages when they are most susceptible to coronary heart disease and hypertension are required to subject themselves to monthly tests, including a blood test to measure their HDL (high density lipoprotein or good cholesterol) and LDL (low density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol) levels. The tests will indicate the ratio of LDL to HDL, and the individual values for each. A higher value of LDL and lower value of HDL will indicate that a man is likely to develop heart ailments if he does not take precautions. Too much LDL or bad cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition that is characterized by the lowering of blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body due to deposition of fatty tissues inside the blood vessels. This condition can result in angina and heart attack, caused by a blocked artery inside the heart.Increasing the amount of HDL in the blood stream protects against heart ailments and prevents the blockage of arteries. Bad cholesterol is carried away from the arteries by the HDL to be metabolized inside the liver, and eventually gets expelled from the body. A cholesterol level of below 200 means a guy can rest easy. A value above 200 is dangerous and this means a drastic change in diet and exercise behavior in the afflicted individual is imperative. Early hypertension and coronary heart disease symptoms could lead to serious complications, and doing away with too much alcohol and nicotine intake (through smoking) could help a lot to prevent the occurrence of a stroke or a heart attack. In addition, one may be required to take medication to reverse the increase in cholesterol level. The benefits of increasing HDL levels are numerous. Not only will the man increase his lifespan, he will also improve his life quality by staying healthy and not spending much on expensive medication that he must take for the rest of his life. Some studies have linked antihypertensive medication intake with libido loss during love making, which makes it even more crucial that men prevent the development of this disease.

With adequate, accurate information and changes in your lifestyle, you can take control of your cholesterol, lower it and then maintain it at a healthy level.

Here is your step by step program to enable you to lower your cholesterol within a few weeks - without medication.

• get your physician to test your personal cholesterol levels – it is simply done with a blood test;

• when you get the results, discuss them in detail with your physician. There are two important readings – HDL and LDL levels. The LDL level is the one that can become high and threaten your wellbeing. Also important is the ratio between the two readings – a slightly higher LDL level may be compensated for by a very low HDL.

• if your HDL and/or LDL level readings need to be improved, ask your physician for advice. If the situation has become serious, it may be necessary to commence some medication to quickly stabilize the HDL and LDL levels. If however, the levels are just a little out of kilter, or even if you are told they are high but within the normal range for your age group, it should be possible for you to take control and, with some changes in your lifestyle – in the areas of food and activity – reduce your cholesterol to more satisfactory levels and to maintain them at those levels. This contributes significantly to your ongoing wellbeing and to your future prospects of maintaining good health as you age.

• what do I have to change about my eating habits to achieve this? You do not have to go on a strict diet. Merely ensuring that certain types of food are not, or at least not very often, included in your meals and making sure that other types of food that you may not at present eat much of, make up a larger part of your meals.

You should try to eat:

a. much of different kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables as possible;

b. lean cuts of meat and poultry [make sure the poultry is skinless];

c. lean fish and shellfish;

d. use low-fat dairy products – fortunately there is an abundance of them available now – it was not always so;

e. reduce the amount of salt and fat you use in your cooking;

f. use herbs and spices to add flavor to your food - not salt and fats;

g. grill, steam, poach, broil or bake your food – avoid frying it;

h. in other words, reduce the amount of fat you eat. Check the labels on the food you buy – it is not only the total amount of fat in the food that is of concern, but also the amount of saturated and trans-fats. These are the deadly, and I use that word advisedly, the deadly components of our fat intake;

i. prepare your own meals, AND serve smaller portions of them. It is better, not only for this program, but for your general health, to have smaller meals, and to have more of them during the day if you still feel the need for more food;

j. stay away from the fast-foods – no pickups or deliveries!

• what else do I have to do?

a. increase your activity levels – it may have been almost non-existent or you may already be reasonably active. Increasing the level will have a major impact your health. You do not have to over-exert yourself to gain the healthy benefits of exercise – just be consistent with what you do. Try to get regular exercise, every day if possible;

b. not only will increased levels of activity help any cholesterol problems you may have, but it will also allow you to get to achieve, and maintain, a healthy body weight;

c. if you are a smoker – STOP – enough said;

d. if your physician has prescribed medication to stabilize your cholesterol levels, follow the advice and treatment you were given precisely;

e. keep a journal of what you do – the changes you make to your lifestyle and the results you achieve. If you begin to struggle to stay on target, read back over what you have done – use the account of what you have done, and where you have come from and be proud of it. This will motivate you to stay on track.

Finally, learn as much as you can about cholesterol, about your health in general, and about how maintaining a healthy lifestyle not only brings you great benefits now – but will continue to do so into the future – into that longer lifetime you will surely enjoy as a result of your efforts now to take charge of your health – and your life.

Everybody wants to live a healthy life by having a healthy body. That is why when when hear the word cholesterol we all think are the oily and fatty foods which means bad cholesterol. But there is other cholesterol that our body also needed – the good cholestrol.

Cholesterol can’t dissolve in the blood. It has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. There are two types of lipids, Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as “bad” cholesterol and High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as “good” cholesterol.

High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as “good” cholesterol. About one-fourth to one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol, because high levels of HDL seem to protect against heart attack. Low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) also increase the risk of heart disease. Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from arterial plaque, slowing its buildup.

Although most research focus on LDLs, some information is available that can help you pull your diet in order to boost the HDL as well. One way is by choosing the right types of fat for your diet, your body need some fats also. Look into the two other types of fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. You’ll find these in olive or canola oils, as well as some types of fish and nuts. Avocados are also a good source of monounsaturated fats, too. Eating more foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids can also help your HDL to LDL ratio improve. These fatty acids can be found in a wide-range of popular fish, including tuna and salmon. Other “good” cholesterol foods include fish oil, soybean products, and leafy green vegetables.

Other ways to increase HDL levels is to engage into regular aerobic exercise. Lose weight, obesity results not only in increased LDL cholesterol, but also in reduced HDL cholesterol. Give up your nicotine cravings and lessen alcohol intake.

Cholesterol is used to build cell membranes and hormones and is made by the liver. The body can produce all of the cholesterol that it needs, so we don’t need to ingest it. It is possible however to have too much cholesterol in the blood stream if the died includes foods that are high in saturated fat. This can block the flow of blood and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Not all cholesterol is bad however. Cholesterol attaches itself to lipoproteins to travel through the bloodstream. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is said to be the ‘bad’ cholesterol that clogs up the arteries. High density lipoprotein (LDL) however is referred to as ‘good’ cholesterol because it helps to take the LDL out of the blood stream. It’s important to keep overall levels of cholesterol low and ensure that there is a much higher ratio of HDL to LDL.

It is recommended that total amounts of cholesterol do not exceed 5.5mmols per litre. The best way to do this is to avoid foods that are high in saturated fats including full cream dairy products, fatty meats and snack foods to name a few. Alcohol should also be limited to two standard drinks a day and smoking should be avoided. It’s also important to exercise and to maintain a health weight. There are also some foods including legumes, nuts, cereals, fruit and sunflower seeds which have been shown to reduce levels of LDL.

Sometimes diet and lifestyle changes are not enough and individuals with high cholesterol may need to turn to vitamins or medication. A few vitamin supplements have been said to help reduce cholesterol including Policosanol, Omega-3s, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

Policosanol is made from the waxy coating of sugar cane. When 5-10mg of Policosanol is ingested each day, it has been shown to reduce overall cholesterol by 8-18%, reduce LDL by 11-28% and increase HDL by 17-29%.

Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are found in large amounts in Flaxseed Oil. Studies have shown that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may help lower LDL and increase LDL cholesterol levels. The suggested amount of flaxseed oil for individuals with high cholesterol is 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil 2-3 times a day with meals.

Vitamin C and Vitamin e are both antioxidants which are said to help protect the body from the effects of LDL cholesterol oxidation. Recommended dosage is 60mg of Vitamin C and 10mg of Vitamin E per day.

Whilst these nutrients are said to have benefits for cholesterol sufferers, you should never substitute qualified medical advice with information found in this article. The author does not give or purport to give any medical or healthcare advice and is not qualified to do so.

For more information about vitamins for arthritis, visit Australia’s vitamin information website and navigate to our vitamins for cholesterol page.

What is cholesterol, and is it all bad? What’s the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol? What are the healthy or normal cholesterol levels you should strive for?
In this article, I’ll explain what happens when your cholesterol levels aren’t normal, as well as some of the ways to manage them, so that you can be better educated and proactive where your health is concerned, and maybe even extend your life.
First of all, cholesterol is a waxy substance found in cells in all parts of the body. And no, it is not all bad. In fact, cholesterol is necessary for building and regenerating cells. It also insulates nerves and produces hormones in the body. The key is maintaining normal levels.
Where does cholesterol come from? About 75% of the cholesterol in our bodies is manufactured in the liver, and the other 25% comes from food, mostly meat and dairy products. If your liver produces too much cholesterol, that is when the levels become abnormal or unhealthy, and a method for bringing them back in balance becomes a necessity in order to preserve cardiovascular health.
This is especially important in people with diabetes, or metabolic syndrome (sometimes referred to as pre-diabetes.) Unhealthy cholesterol levels, when combined with weight gain and increased blood pressure, can lead to all kinds of health challenges.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
Notice the plural, because it is not only total cholesterol or just the bad cholesterol number that is important. Complete cholesterol care implies being aware of all the numbers.
So what are the numbers you should know that make up the complete cholesterol picture?
First is the LDL or bad cholesterol. This is the component that when it becomes elevated, causes buildup on the walls of the arteries. As this buildup hardens, it becomes plaque, which increases your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Science is proving that this buildup starts to develop in late teens and early twenties, and continues progressively as we age.
Of course as this buildup continues, it starts to narrow the opening in the arteries, restricting blood flow and raising blood pressure. Left unchecked, it can continue until it ruptures which causes a clot to form, totally cutting off the flow of blood.
If this clot is in the area leading to the heart, it is a heart attack. If it is in the arteries leading to the brain, that is a stroke. Both are considered cardiovascular disease.
LDL levels of greater than 190 are considered dangerous. 160 to 189 is considered poor, 130 to 159 is fair, and readings less than 129 are considered healthy. Some doctors are suggesting levels be below 100, and recent research is showing that if we can reduce our LDL to less than 70, we can actually start to reverse the plaque buildup.
The next number to be aware of is HDL, or the good cholesterol, which reduces your risk of CVD. In fact, your HDL number is becoming much more important because research has shown that for every 1% you reduce your LDL or bad cholesterol, you get about a 2% reduction in cardiovascular risk. But for every 1% you increase your HDL, you get a 3% reduction in risk. What should your HDL be? Healthy levels for men are above 40, and for women, it should be above 50.
Total Cholesterol or TC is the addition of your LDL, HDL and a component known as VLDL. Healthy levels are anything under 200. Another important number to be aware of is your cardiovascular risk ratio. This number is determined by dividing Total Cholesterol by HDL. This number should be below 5, with the optimal amount of 3.5 or lower.
Where do triglycerides come from? Fats consumed in our diet, or made in the body from carbohydrates, cause triglycerides in the blood. Some calories are converted to triglycerides and move into the fat cells for storage. So how do those numbers stack up?
Triglyceride levels of less than 150 are considered acceptable. Levels from 150 to 199 indicate moderate risk, 200 to 499 indicate high risk, and levels in excess of 500 indicate extreme high risk.
If it’s confusing to remember what’s good and what’s not, an easy way to remember the different parts of the total picture is “L” stands for “lethal” LDL, “H” stands for “healthy” HDL, and “T” stands for “treacherous” triglycerides.
METHODS FOR DEALING WITH UNHEALTHY CHOLESTEROL
There are different methods a person can use for improving one’s cholesterol levels. The most widely known is through the use of special cholesterol lowering prescription drugs called “statins”. Statins such as Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, and others represent nationally a 25 Billion Dollar per year treatment option. They have proved themselves effective at lowering the LDL segment of the cholesterol picture, however they do very little to reduce triglycerides or raise the HDL.
Besides, statins sometime carry very significant side effects, and therefore some people can’t take them. What are some of these documented side effects?
The Statin Effects Study concluded that the top two are possible liver and muscle damage. However, there are also lesser known effects such as sudden memory loss, increase in eye cataract risk, suppresses the body’s natural immune function, increased cancer risk, kidney and nerve damage, depletes CoQ10 levels (necessary for healthy heart function), sleep disturbance, blood sugar or blood pressure changes, and sexual dysfunction.
According to the drug manufacturers, only an insignificant number of patients are affected by these side effects. But if you’re one of them, is it “insignificant” for you? What you will hear more and more from the drug companies, is that they also will admit that just lowering the LDL is not enough.
Combination therapy will become the new buzz word. It means adding additional drugs to raise the good cholesterol, or lower triglycerides or blood sugar. Of course, it’s highly likely that these additional drug additives will have their own set of additional side effects.
In fact, reports on the recent results of a clinical study by one of the leading pharmaceutical company’s combinations to try to raise the HDL led to “pulling the plug” on the whole experiment. Why, you ask? According to the report, an “unacceptable number of people died” while taking the combination therapy. Makes me wonder what number of people would be “acceptable”.
Do we see increased costs and co-pays in our futures? I believe you can bank on it. Some people feel, and I’m one of them, that even the cheapest co-pay is more than they’re willing to risk their quality of life for.
So are there other, safer alternatives for you? The answer is yes. In fact, according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines for healthcare providers, statin drugs should not be the first treatment option offered. According to these guidelines, Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) should be used as a first approach.
What are some of the features of TLC? Increase of soluble fiber, regular exercise, and weight reduction are the main ones. When it comes to diet, watch your fat intake, and eat more fruits and vegetables.
In addition to soluble fiber, other methods that can control cholesterol levels are the use of plant sterols or stanols, and a natural component called policosanol, from sugar cane, which blocks the enzyme in the liver that produces cholesterol. Statins block the same enzyme; however, the difference is that the policosanol does not damage the liver. Also ancient Chinese medicine has used a particular extract from the chrysanthemum plant to help in the breakdown of cholesterol.
If you’re concerned about safety and effectiveness, choose a natural solution with solid clinical evidence, that incorporates multiple methods, and raises HDL in addition to lowering LDL.
Be proactive in your own health, be educated on your cholesterol situation, make the right lifestyle choices, and you’ll improve your chances of living longer.
Additional information on lowering cholesterol can be found in “Your Guide to Lowering Cholesterol with TLC” by the US Nat’l Institutes of Health. NIH Publication 06-5235

            Cholesterol is a flat, waxy molecule that is synthesized by all animals, including humans. It is one of the most misunderstood biochemicals that have been discovered, and the mainstream media is certainly not helping the public to understand what the functions of cholesterol actually are. Cholesterol has two main functions. One is to be the raw material, or building block, for all steroid hormone synthesis in the body. Steroid hormones are very important molecules in the body that help the body deal with stress, bone health, sexual health, salt regulation, and many other functions. The second main function of cholesterol is to provide fluidity for the cell membranes of the body, so that they can function correctly at their surfaces. Most of the body’s cells are not rigid: they are flexible, and their flexibility is often related to their particular function. Without cholesterol to help cell membranes stay fluid, most cells could not perform many of their basic functions, and we would soon die as a consequence.

            Cholesterol is therefore a very important molecule, absolutely crucial to life and health. In fat, too low of a cholesterol level can result in increased suicide and cancer risks (1). On the other hand, although normal levels are cholesterol provide very positive functions in the body, too high of a cholesterol level can be harmful to the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system. High cholesterol can also contribute to high blood pressure, gallstones, mental problems, and impotence (2). Cholesterol has often been blamed as a main cause of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease. However, cholesterol consumption has remained constant during the last 100 years, but heart disease has increased dramatically (1). Therefore, cholesterol consumption alone cannot be responsible for the increase in heart disease. Much of the reason for this is that, for the average person, only about 20% of their blood cholesterol comes from the animal products that they eat in their diet, and the other 80% is made from their liver (3). Major dietary sources of cholesterol include eggs, meat, and dairy products. According to Dr. Udo Erasmus, a world-renowned expert on fats and their metabolism, almost everyone can control their cholesterol levels by diet alone (1).

            Since cholesterol is a waxy molecule, it cannot be dissolved in blood, which is mostly water. This is similar to oil and vinegar salad dressing: the oil and vinegar don’t mix, because the vinegar is mostly water. This is due to water attracting more charged molecules. Since oils are generally not charged at all, they cannot attract water and can’t enter the bloodstream by themselves. Due to this problem, special proteins are needed to shuttle cholesterol in the bloodstream to its various destinations in the body. The cholesterol, which is a form of lipid, and cholesterol-shuttling proteins are known as lipoproteins. There are different densities of lipoproteins, depending on how much lipid is bound to the proteins. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) transports cholesterol in the bloodstream to where it is needed. High density lipoprotein (HDL) then comes in to clean up any excess cholesterol. HDL is known therefore as the “good” cholesterol because it regulates the levels of LDL cholesterol. Excess cholesterol is taken back to the liver by HDL, then broken down and excreted.

            When HDL levels are too low, LDL levels are too high, or there are not enough antioxidants in the bloodstream to protect the cholesterol, then it may end up sticking on arterial surfaces. In fact, one of the uses for cholesterol by the body is to help repair damage in certain tissues. Unless it has been oxidized, cholesterol is actually more helpful to the body than it is harmful. If the cholesterol does happen to become oxidized and stick on the arterial wall, immune cells called macrophages then come in to clean up the oxidized cholesterol. If there is a large amount of oxidized cholesterol in one area, the macrophages will end up taking in the damaged cholesterol until they die, and actually become part of the arterial deposit, called a plaque. Arterial plaque that builds up can restrict blood flow from the heart, which can result in many serious subsequent illnesses.

            Most health professionals recommend LDL levels to be below 130 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter). To help visualize an LDL level of 130 mg/dl, you could think of it as 130 parts in 100,000, or 1.3 parts per thousand (0.13% of the bloodstream’s components). HDL levels are recommended to be over 40 mg/dl. Many practitioners feel that the total cholesterol/HDL ratio is more important for gauging overall health than the HDL and LDL numbers alone. The total cholesterol level is generally agreed to be under 200 mg/dl for a healthy person. In general, a total cholesterol/HDL ratio that is considered healthy is under 4 (ex. 160 mg/dl cholesterol and 40 mg/dl HDL).

            Although fats such as cholesterol serve important structural and hormonal functions, what about the fats that are used for energy utilization? These are known as triglycerides: they have a different structure and function than cholesterol. They consist of three fatty acid chains linked to a small molecule called glycerol. Gram for gram, fatty acids have more than twice the energy as protein or carbohydrates. A normal triglyceride level in the bloodstream is under 150 mg/dl. There are four main types of fats that come from foods. Saturated fats are most often obtained from animals. They tend to raise LDL levels. Monounsaturated fats are from plants, such as olives and peanuts. They help lower cholesterol levels and also fight oxidation (4). Polyunsaturated fats are mostly derived from plants. They help lower both total cholesterol and LDL levels. Unfortunately, like cholesterol, polyunsaturated fats themselves are easily oxidized. Flaxseed oil is a good example of a polyunsaturated fat. Trans fats are artificially made to help solidify them for convenience. Margerine is a good example of a trans fat. Trans fats not only raise cholesterol and LDL levels, they also lower HDL levels (4). 

            There are many different factors that can influence cholesterol levels. When carbohydrates are ingested, the hormone insulin is released into the bloodstream. Insulin then increases cholesterol production (5). Stress can also increase cholesterol production, since cholesterol makes stress hormones (1). In fact, as mentioned earlier, cholesterol is the building block for all steroid hormones (5). Unfortunately, the level of cholesterol alone is not the only factor that determines how healthy a person’s arteries are. When mineral and vitamin antioxidants are low, cholesterol can be used as an antioxidant in the bloodstream (1). The oxidized cholesterol has sacrificed itself to neutralize a damaging free radical molecule. However, the situation inside the body is now even worse, because the oxidized cholesterol then ends up binding to arterial walls. Immune cells try to clean up the damaged cholesterol, but they end up dying and sticking to the arterial wall too. The above process then progresses to atherosclerosis (heart disease).The above explanation of the danger of oxidized cholesterol is an additional reason to supplement with antioxidants.

            Current medical recommendations are to keep total cholesterol lower than 200 mg/dl. However, the association between high cholesterol and death is not apparent until the level is over 240 mg/dl. Therefore, the level between 200 mg/dl and 240 mg/dl is often termed “borderline high” cholesterol levels (4). There is some controversy about when to use cholesterol-lowering drugs, since cholesterol levels can actually be dangerous if they fall too low (6). Some experts disagree that high cholesterol should be blamed for heart attacks. The average blood cholesterol level of a heart attack patient is 244 mg/dl. This is only 20% greater than the average American’s cholesterol level, which is 205 (7). Also, one out of three heart attack victims have cholesterol levels under 200 mg/dl (8).

            Niacin (vitamin B3) has been used both clinically and holistically to reduce cholesterol levels. The amount of niacin to achieve this is very high, over 1000 mg a day (the average B-complex supplement has only 50 mg). Although niacin is a naturally-occurring vitamin, in very high doses it can have several side effects. These may include: liver damage, skeletal muscle problems, eye problems, heart abnormalities, glucose intolerance, and peptic ulcers (9). Vitamin C can lower cholesterol levels (10). The two-time nobel prizewinning scientist Linus Pauling has also noted that vitamin C can help with heart health in two additional ways: by strengthening arterial walls, and by converting cholesterol into bile acids, which in turn help fat digestion and subsequent metabolism (10). 

            There is currently some controversy about vitamin E supplements. In theory, they should be taken in order for their fat-soluble antioxidant’s ability to protect cholesterol in the bloodstream. In reality, high doses of vitamin E (400 IU/day or more) may actually increase the death rate a small percentage by as yet unknown mechanisms (11). Vitamin E supplements normally come as just one form, alpha-tocopherol. In nature, vitamin E exists as four major forms, alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols. Taking too much alpha-tocopherol may inhibit the assimilation and actions of the other three vitamin E species. If someone decides to supplement with vitamin E, make sure that it is natural and contains all four forms of the vitamin. Also, in the ten studies that showed vitamin E to be harmful (11), five studies were done on patients that already had established diseases that were serious, and may not be helped simply by taking more of one vitamin. Eight out of the ten studies also had the average age of study patients over sixty years, which means that most of them have been accumulating oxidative damage in their bodies for several decades before any antioxidant therapy was initiated. For now, if you choose to supplement with vitamin E, take only 200 IU/day of mixed tocopherols, unless otherwise directed by your physician.

There are a number of cholesterol-lowering medications on the market. Below are listed the potential side effects of these medications.

Statins (block cholesterol production)

Fluvastatin (Lescol), Simvastatin (Zocor), Pravastatin (Pravachol), Lovastatin (Mevacor)

Muscle and liver problems for all statins. Mevacor also increases inflammatory fatty acids

Fibric Acids (block cholesterol production)

Gemfibrozil (Lopid), Fenofibrate (Tricor)

Gallbladder problems, Liver & kidney toxicity

Bile Acid Sequestrants (lower blood cholesterol)

Cholestyramine (Questran), Colestipol (Colestid), Colesevlam (Welchol)

All sequestrants relatively safe; Questran not as safe for children

Here are some potential side effects of natural cholesterol-lowering supplements and herbs:

Herbs

Guggulipids, extract of Commiphora Mukul from the Myrrh herb: May cause hypoglycemia

Garlic: Allergic reactions, bleeding, several drug-garlic interactions

Grains and Yeasts

Red rice yeast extract: Contains the active ingredient Lovastatin, so toxicity the same as Lovastatin above

Minerals

Chromium Picolinate: Possible mild hypoglycemia

Fiber

Guar Gum; Rare hypoglycemia cases 

Oat Bran: Occasionally raises triglyceride levels

Apple Pectin: Relatively safe, may lower some drug levels in the body

Amino Acids

L-Carnitine: Rare seizure cases

            There are some additional interesting facts about how to regulate cholesterol levels: High-fiber diets are one of the best ways to help regulate blood cholesterol levels (1). Too much coffee (several cups per day) can raise cholesterol levels. Cooking with extra virgin olive oil is beneficial for people with high cholesterol. There are many different ways to help keep someone’s cholesterol levels in a healthy range by natural means. One can explore several avenues of naturally treating high cholesterol if they do not want to take the pharmaceutical drug path.

References:

1. Erasmus, U. Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill, 14th Ed. Burnaby, BC (Canada): Alive Books, 1993.

2. Balch, P. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Ed. Avery Books/Penguin Putnam Inc., 2000.

3. Fleming, R., & Monte, T. Stop Inflammation Now! New York, NY: Putnam, 2004.

4. Litin, S., ed. Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 3rd Ed. New York, NY: HarperCollins Books, 2003.

5. Sears, B. The Zone. New York, NY: Regan Books / HarperCollins Publishers, 1995.

6. Eades, M., & Eades, M. The Protein Power Life Plan. New York, NY: Warner Books, 2000.

7. Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine—(orig. manuscript in Italian), published online 12/17/2000.

8. Feinstein, A. Healing with Vitamins. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Books, Inc., 1996. 

9. PDR Generics, 3rd Ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1997. 

10. Pauling, L. (1974). Are recommended daily allowances for vitamin C adequate? Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 71(11): 4442-4446.

11. Miller, ER, et. al. (2005). Meta-analysis: high-dosage vitamin E supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Annals of Internal Medicine, 142(1): 1-11.

Cholesterol levels are being tested all over the world in order to determine risk factors for heart disease, yet  many people are confused by their cholesterol numbers and how they are expressed.  Part of this confusion may stem from the fact that literature originating in the United States gives cholesterol levels in units that are different from those used in Canada, Europe, and a good portion of the rest of the developed world.  So when you are looking for information to help you understand your test results, on the internet and elsewhere, you might not  understand the numbers that are reported in the American literature because they might look quite different from the cholesterol numbers on your lab report.

The United States reports cholesterol levels in mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre) of blood.  The rest of the world is using the measurement called mmol (or millimoles per litre).  Without going back to basic chemistry from high school, let’s just say  that they are different measurements. So is it any wonder that these two ways of expressing your cholesterol numbers are so different?

Here is how the two different systems of measurement stack up for desirable cholesterol numbers.

As expressed in the system of measurement used in the United States

However, as expressed in the SI units (International System of Measurement) that most of the world is using the numbers are stated differently. (You can remember which letters refer to the good and the bad stuff by remembering it this  way…H stands for healthy  and L stands for lousy.)

Can you see the difference in how the cholesterol numbers are expressed?  The difference of course is in the units that are being measured. Think of it like metric and imperial measures. Your weight in pounds might be a three digit number but in kilograms it could be a two digit number. Same weight different measurements.

Understanding the Cholesterol Ratio

When used to determine if you have cholesterol risk factors for heart disease it is not the specific levels that are analyzed but rather the ratio of HDL in your total lipid profile. This number is called the cholesterol ratio and it gives an indication of how much of your total cholesterol is the “good” stuff.

The reason this is important is because the HDL is so beneficial, if it is present is sufficient quantities it  has a protective effect and  the LDL in your system cannot do as much damage.  So even if your LDL is higher than the desired levels, if the HDL is high as well and the ratio comes within the desired range then the risk of heart disease is less.

The goal is to keep the cholesterol ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5. The cholesterol ratio comes in at the same number no matter which system of measurement is used. The cholesterol ratio is obtained by dividing the total cholesterol number by the value given for the HDL. For example, if a you have a total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL and an HDL of 60 mg/dL,  the ratio is 4. Using the SI system of measurement if the total cholesterol is 7.20 mmol/L and the HDL is 1.8 mmol/L  the ratio is still 4.

You can see how this is a better way of understanding the cholesterol risk factors for heart disease and expressing it this way can prevent confusion that might result from not being familiar with the units that are used. This information is also helpful for understanding why the strategies recommended  for cholesterol imbalances work. Some of the best strategies are the ones that raise the HDL levels.  In particular, exercise has been found to be one of the best ways to improve the cholesterol ratio because it raises HDL levels.  By contrast smoking has been found to lower HDL levels so no exercise and smoking is a recipe for low HDL levels, a poor cholesterol ratio, and a higher risk for heart disease.

Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and is essential for the maintenance of good health.  Low cholesterol levels have been associated with poor health so the goal is not to eliminate or reduce cholesterol entirely but to obtain the desirable levels of each type so that the protective benefits of the HDL can work for you in maintaining good health.

So don’t get mixed up when trying to understand your cholesterol levels.  No matter what way the numbers are expressed the message is the same.  You want to have enough of the good stuff and not so much of the bad stuff in order to reduce your risk factors for heart disease.

Cholesterol levels are being tested as part of regular health screening all over the world yet many people are confused by their cholesterol numbers and how they are expressed. Part of this confusion may stem from the fact that most of the cholesterol literature is coming from the United States where they still report cholesterol levels in units that are different from those used in Canada, Europe and a good portion of the rest of the developed world. So if you are looking for information to help you understand your cholesterol test results you might not be able to understand the numbers that are reported in the American literature, that includes the internet.
The United States reports cholesterol levels in mg/dl (milligrams per decilitre) of blood. The rest of the world is using the measurement called mmol (or millimoles per litre). Without going back to basic chemistry from high school, suffice it to say that they are different measurements. So is it any wonder that these two ways of expressing your cholesterol numbers are so different?
Here is how the two different systems of measurement stack up for desirable cholesterol levels.
* Total cholesterol = less than 200 mg/dL
* LDL = less than 100-129 mg/dL (below 100 is best)
* HDL = more than 40 mg/dL (greater than 60 is considered protective against heart disease)
However, as expressed in the SI units (International System of Measurement) that most of the world is using the numbers are stated differently. (You can remember which letters refer to healthy and lousy by remembering it this way…H stands for healthy lipoprotein and L stands for lousy lipoprotein.)
* Total cholesterol = less than 5.2 mmol/L
* LDL = in the range of than 2.6 - 3.3 mmol/L (less than 2.6 is best)
* HDL = in the range of more than 1 to 1.5 mmol/L (higher is better) mmol/L
Can you see the difference in how the cholesterol numbers are expressed? The difference of course is in the units that are being measured.
Think of it like metric and imperial measures. Your weight in pounds might be a three digit number but in kilograms it could be a two digit number. Same weight different measurements.
When used to determine risk of heart disease it is not the specific cholesterol levels that are analyzed but rather the ratio of HDL in your total lipid profile. This number is called the cholesterol ratio and it gives an indication of how much of your total cholesterol is the “good stuff”.
The reason that the ratio is important is because the HDL (good stuff) is so beneficial that it can protect you from the effects of the LDL if it is in your body in sufficient quantities. So even if your LDL is higher that desirable levels, if the HDL is high as well, if the ratio comes within the desired range then the risk to your health is less.
The goal is to keep the cholesterol ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5. The cholesterol ratio comes in at the same number no matter which system of measurement is used to express the specific cholesterol levels.
The cholesterol ratio is obtained by dividing the total cholesterol number by the value given for the HDL. For example, if a person has a total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL and an HDL of 60 mg/dL, the ratio would be 4.
Using the SI system of measurement if the total cholesterol is 7.20 mmol/L and the HDL is 1.8 mmol/L the ratio is still 4.
You can see how this is a better way of understanding risk and prevents confusion that might result from not being familiar with the units that are used to express cholesterol levels.
This information is also helpful for understanding why the strategies why the for cholesterol imbalances work. Some of the best strategies are the ones that raise the HDL levels. In particular, exercise has been found to be one of the best ways to improve the cholesterol ratio because it raises HDL levels. By contrast smoking has been found to lower HDL levels so no exercise and smoking is a recipe for low HDL levels, a poor cholesterol ratio, and a higher risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and is essential for the maintenance of good health. Low cholesterol levels have been associated with poor health so the goal is not to eliminate or reduce cholesterol entirely but to establish the desirable levels of each type of cholesterol so that the protective benefits of the HDL can work for you in maintaining good health.
So don’t get mixed up when trying to understand you cholesterol levels. No matter what way the numbers are expressed the message is the same. You want to have enough of the good stuff and not so much of the bad stuff!

High cholesterol is not a laughing matter. Since it can cause you to experience heart disease, which can be life threatening, high cholesterol should not be taken lightly. A very important key to lowering cholesterol levels is having an understanding of your cholesterol ratio. Here are a few of the different things that you should know about your total ratio and your HDL LDL ratio.  The most important thing that you should know about your total cholesterol ratio is that it is a determining factor of your risk of developing heart disease, which can ultimately, and at worst case, lead to death. The way that it works is by dividing your HDL cholesterol into your overall cholesterol. Keep in mind that cholesterol is measured in milligrams and deciliters, or mg’s and dl’s. Let’s pretend, for example, that your total cholesterol was 200 mg/dl, while your HDL was 50 mg/dl. In this case, your cholesterol ratio would be 4-1. Having cholesterol ratio that is any higher than 5-1 is a sign that you may be at risk for heart disease. Keep in mind that there is also something called the HDL LDL ratio, which needs to be taken into consideration as well. As you can probably guess, this ratio measures the ratio between your HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. This ratio is a larger determining factor of the risk of heart disease. The reason is because it shows the ratio between your good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, which is the largest factor that determines your risk of heart disease. The formula to determine HDL LDL ratio is much more complicated and, thus, it tends to be very pricey. Overall, however, your HDL to LDL cholesterol ratio should not be any higher than 4.4 and you should strive to keep it at or below 3.3. Any HDL to LDL ratio level above 7 to 11 indicates a high risk of heart disease. Keep in mind that there are several things that you can do in order to lower your cholesterol. Making healthier food choices and following an exercise routine are just two of the many different things that you can do to keep both your HDL to LDL ratio and your total cholesterol ratio down. And there are also very effective measures you can take using natural and organic cholesterol lowering treatments to help lower your cholesterol ratio.