LDL HDL Ratio

Posts Tagged ‘Heart Disease’

If both of your parents and your grandparents suffered from hear disease then you may think you are also doomed to suffer from heart disease. There is good news, heredity can be a cause of heart disease, it is but one factor among may factors that must be taken into account when assessing your risk for heart disease. One recent study found that heredity accounts for less than 10 percent of a person’s risk for developing heart disease.
That leaves the other 90 percent of the heart disease causing factors that you may be able to do something about. If you are at risk because of heredity factor then modifying your life style and taking certain precautions could substantially reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Doctors cannot agree on the number one cause of heart disease, so you will have to evaluate the evidence yourself and determine your own risk/reward ratio. Smoking, obesity, and high cholesterol are usually in the forefront of any study.
The chemicals in cigarettes can damage artery walls, thereby making it easier for cholesterol deposits to build blood-blocking deposits on the artery walls. Smoking also makes platelets, the component of blood that causes clotting and carries oxygen, to be more active, thus increasing the risks of blood clots that cause heart attacks and storks.
A body needs cholesterol and can actually produce all it needs, so when we ingest foods high in cholesterols, like dairy and meat products, our bodies get a lot more cholesterol than they need. The body saves cholesterol instead of excreting it, and that cholesterol gets stored along the walls of the arteries. Too many cholesterol deposits lead to artery blockage and clots.
Having a large numbers of large HDL particles correlates with better health and it is commonly called “good cholesterol”. Having a large number of LDL particles in the blood is commonly called “bad cholesterol”. However, as today’s testing methods determine LDL (”bad”) and HDL (”good”) cholesterol separately, this simplistic view has become somewhat outdated.
High blood pressure is also thought to be a major cause of heart disease. Give this a try. Plug you nose and breath through you mouth. No problem right? Now put something about the size of a garden hose in you mount and breath through that. It is harder to get enough oxygen but it is still not unreasonable. Not try breathing through a straw. You will not be able to do this for every long before you have to give up.
Your arteries are narrowed because of all that cholesterol stored on the walls of the arteries. But your body needs the same amount of oxygen that is supplied by the blood that is always has. Your heart has to pump harder and faster to give the body what it needs. As you arteries become narrower and narrower your heat has to work harder and harder. Sooner or later something has got to give.
Obesity is another factor that can cause heart disease. Often obesity comes with high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Since there are more areas that need blood because of the increased size of someone suffering from obesity the heart must work harder to supply the needs of the body.
Stress is also associated with heart disease. But unless your parents are stressing you out enough to cause a heart attack, they are not the cause of heart disease.
Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with Heart Disease such as Vitamin C, Lecithin, Pectin, Garlic, EPA, Niacin and Phytosterols.
Vitamin C has been shown to combat the development of cholesterol deposits in the arteries. Within a few hours after receiving vitamin C patients showed a sharp decline in the cholesterol levels of the blood.
Lecithin has the potential to protect against fat clogged arteries when take daily.
Pectin limits the amount of cholesterol the body can absorb. High pectin count in apples may be why “One a day keeps the doctor away”.
Garlic counteracts the usual result of high fats in the diet and to help reduce high blood pressure.
Studies of the Greenland Eskimos lack of heart attacks have show that Eico-Sapentaenoic Acid (EPA) lowers blood cholesterol considerably, even more than polyunsaturated fat does. It also triggers a major drop in triglycerides. Salmon Oil is one of the best-known sources of natural EPA.
Niacin is the closest thing available to a perfect treatment that corrects most causes of coronary heart disease. Niacin blocks the release of fatty acids from fat cells. Niacin plays a critical role in energy production, gene expression, and hormone synthesis. You cannot live without it. Niacin also tends to shift LDL particle distribution to larger particle size and improve HDL functioning. The intake of 3 grams Niacin for as little as two weeks can reduce serum cholesterol by 26 percent.
Phytosterols is found in flax seed and peanuts, which are suggested to help lower serum cholesterol.
If you are at risk of developing heart disease then find a good health care professional prior to starting any type of home treatment.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

It is a fact that fish oil supplements containing omega 3 fatty acids have been promoted in the media as being effective at lowering cholesterol levels. Although it is true that to a certain extent fish oil and cholesterol are correlated, there is no conclusive evidence that there is a direct relationship between them.

Instead of worrying about your cholesterol readings being too high, you are better off focusing on the risk of heart disease that you are exposed to. And fish oil supplements can definitely reduce that risk.

Let me explain what I mean.

As you probably know, there are two types of cholesterol, performing two opposing functions: One is LDL and is the bad one being responsible for the accumulation of plaque on your arteries and the other one is HDL, which does exactly the opposite: removes the plaque from the arteries.

Now, the risk level of you developing heart related problems at any point in your life is directly proportional to the ratio of bad to good cholesterol. The higher the ratio, the higher the risk. Therefore, estimating your heart disease risk by just the number of LDL (the bad cholesterol) alone, it surely is bad practice.

Apart from cholesterol, your triglycerides levels also play a significant role when it comes to estimating heart disease risk. In case you don’t know, triglycerides are fatty substance that circulate in the bloodstream. Too much of it might clog your arteries.

To make it even more complicated, there is an additional risk factor, which has recently been identified by scientists. This is associated with the so called C-reactive protein and is a measure of inflammation in your blood. Mind you, this protein has nothing to do with cholesterol.

To sum up, the risk of heart disease is more complex to estimate than merely basing your judgment on cholesterol numbers alone. It’s a combination of factors, which interact with each other.

Now, having formulated a more complete picture of the causes of heart disease, you can better appreciate the wonderful properties of fish oil (the omega 3 fatty acids contained in it to be exact) and how they can contribute to the reduction of the relevant health risk.

First, fish oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory, so it can help reduce the risk from the C-reactive protein.

Second, the omega 3 fatty acids help prevent clumping and stickiness of the blood. Thus, blood can flow more easily in the arteries reducing the probability of heart attacks or strokes.

Another important property of fish oil is that it helps prevent plaque build-up inside the arteries. Again, this is important, considering that what actually causes heart attacks, strokes and heart disease in general is this formation of plaques.

In conclusion, you should bear in mind that the omega 3 fatty acids contained in fish oil are excellent not only for you heart, but for your overall health in general.

But remember, not all fish oils are created equal. You have to be selective at what you use. Personally, I use the fish oil produced by a company in New Zealand, called Xtend Life. Their product far outperforms their competition.

To become better informed and see why I recommend this particular fish oil, visit my website.

—————————————————

Guggul:

Guggul is the name given to the yellowish resin produced by the stem of the

mukul myrrh (Commiphora mukul) tree found throughout India. It has been used

in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries in the treatment of arthritis, obesity,

and one of its prime uses was for “medoroga”. Medoroga is basically an

ancient diagnosis for what we know as atherosclerosis. It was effective for

this problem because of its ability to lower serum cholesterol and

triglycerides.

Guggul extract isolates contain safe plant steroid compounds known as

guggulsterones, which have been shown to lower lipid levels in your

blood. They actually lower serum triglycerides and cholesterol, as well as

LDL VLDL cholesterols (the “bad” ones) and as a bonus..raises HDL cholesterol

(the “good” guys). Guggulsterones also act as antioxidants in that they keep

LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, protecting you further from

atherosclerosis. Guggul has also decreased the “stickiness” of platelets,

which of course also lowers the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke.Â

There was a study which actually found guggul extract similar and even

slightly better than clobfibrate for lowering cholesterol levels…..

Niacin:

For some time, some practitioners have been using high amounts of niacin

(Vitamin B3) (also called nicotinic acid) to lower cholesterol. The problem

with this is that at the doses needed, about 3 grams per day, divided dosing,

patients experience side effects of flushing, headache, stomach pains and

even chronic liver damage, diabetic responses, gastritis or stomach

inflammation, eye damage and even gout. The other common form of B3 -

niacinamide (also called nicotinamide) - does NOT help cholesterol levels.

An acceptable variation on niacin called inositol hexaniacinate has more

recently been prescribed by European doctors for cholesterol treatment

without the unwanted effects of niacin. It is used at the 500 to 1,000 mg

taken three times per day. It is newer and fewer studies have been done, so

if one takes it, make sure you have your cholesterol monitored to evaluate

its effectiveness and have liver enzymes, uric acid and glucose levels

checked just to be sure you are not one of the people prone to problems with

B3 therapy…..

[You may also try niacin in the form of "no flush" niacin hexaniacinate,

which most health shops sell - alone or in combination with small doses (less

than 150mg) of regular niacin (to minimise the uncomfortable flushing). It

is a good idea to take the niacin in combination with other members of the

vitamin B family - vit B complex, with at least 50mg of most Bs. MCS]

Other Factors:

Supplementing with Vitamin E (800 IU per day), Vitamin C (2-3 grams per day),

Octacosanol (from wheat germ..another good reason to use this food, as it is

also high in beta-sitosterol), Lecithin (2-3 grams per day), and garlic

supplements (600-900 mg per day) all have shown to be very helpful in

reducing cholesterol and triglycerides levels.

*** Here is some very brief information on other helpful supplements to

assist in managing different cardiovascular problems.

OTHER CHOLESTEROL LOWERING SUPPLEMENTS

Since lecithin is a very effective emulsifying agent, which also contains

choline and inositol, some authorities also suggest taking at least 1200mg of

lecithin capsules or granules 3 times daily. By the way, for those who take

skim or reduced fat milk, blending or shaking a teaspoon or two of lecithin

granules into the milk makes it taste much creamier and more palatable - add

according to your personal taste.

Chinese red yeast extract

Chromium picolinate

L-carnitine (2-4gm daily on an empty stomach)

L-arginine on empty stomach (avoid if suffering from herpes, shingles,

schizophrenia)

Bromelain and pectin enzymes (on an empty stomach)

Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) 1000mg daily (begin with 200-400mg daily)

Vitamin C (plus bioflavonoids)

Oats (fibre) and other brans

Olive oil (raw, virgin, cold pressed, kept in refrigerator)

Fish oil

Green tea

Hawthorne berry (also for heart arrhythmias and hypertension)

Grapefruit (note that this can accentuate the effects of some cardiac drugs)

Boswellia

Aloe Vera

Alfalfa

Dandelion

Thyme

Turmeric

Other Supplements for Cardiac Use:

(e.g. for reducing inflammation of tissues, reducing blood pressure or

“thinning” the blood)

CoQ10 (75-150mg a day, with lecithin)

Magnesium (maleate, citrate, aspartate)

Willow bark, Aspirin (75mg a day with meals)

L-arginine on empty stomach (avoid if suffering from herpes, shingles,

schizophrenia)

Ginger

Fish oil

Capsaicin (from “hot” peppers)

MSM

Gotu kola

Ginkgo biloba

Bilberry

Primrose oil

Turmeric

AVOID

Refined carbohydrates

Highly sugared drinks (pop, sodas, etc)

Licorice (can increase blood pressure)

Hydrogenated or “partially hydrogenated” fats (in many cereals, margarines,

candies)

Transfatty acids (in many margarines, cakes, cookies etc)

Heated or fried fats and meats

Fatty meats

Lard and animal fat (many fast food chains use these fats in many products)

Coffee

Ephedra, ephedrine

Shark cartilage

NOTE

If you are considering the use of any of the above supplements, remember that

you should find out as much as you can by reading reputable web pages on each

of them, or consulting books such as:

Balch & Balch, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing”

The following metasearch engine should help you find detailed information on any

of the

above supplements:

http://www.metacrawler.com

If you suffer from any cardiac problems, it is essential that you seek

professional medical advice and ascertain if any supplements may interact

adversely with any medication which you may be taking. For example, if you

are on anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin) or heparin, other

supplements such as fish oil, garlic, aspirin, vitamin E (large doses) and

several others can reduce the clotting ability of your blood even further.

If you are on a cholesterol-lowering medication such as one of then statins,

then many of the above supplements can increase the potency of these drugs,

so, in consultation with a suitable medical expert, you should adjust your

dosage accordingly or gradually wean yourself off such drugs, according to

your particular situation. If doing this, it is important that you regularly

have your cholesterol and HDL/LDL ratios checked and that you work under the

supervision of your doctor.

——

Guggul:

Guggul is the name given to the yellowish resin produced by the stem of the

mukul myrrh (Commiphora mukul) tree found throughout India. It has been used

in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries in the treatment of arthritis, obesity,

and one of its prime uses was for “medoroga”. Medoroga is basically an

ancient diagnosis for what we know as atherosclerosis. It was effective for

this problem because of its ability to lower serum cholesterol and

triglycerides.

Guggul extract isolates contain safe plant steroid compounds known as

guggulsterones, which have been shown to lower lipid levels in your

blood. They actually lower serum triglycerides and cholesterol, as well as

LDL VLDL cholesterols (the “bad” ones) and as a bonus..raises HDL cholesterol

(the “good” guys). Guggulsterones also act as antioxidants in that they keep

LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, protecting you further from

atherosclerosis. Guggul has also decreased the “stickiness” of platelets,

which of course also lowers the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke.Â

There was a study which actually found guggul extract similar and even

slightly better than clobfibrate for lowering cholesterol levels…..

Niacin:

For some time, some practitioners have been using high amounts of niacin

(Vitamin B3) (also called nicotinic acid) to lower cholesterol. The problem

with this is that at the doses needed, about 3 grams per day, divided dosing,

patients experience side effects of flushing, headache, stomach pains and

even chronic liver damage, diabetic responses, gastritis or stomach

inflammation, eye damage and even gout. The other common form of B3 -

niacinamide (also called nicotinamide) - does NOT help cholesterol levels.

An acceptable variation on niacin called inositol hexaniacinate has more

recently been prescribed by European doctors for cholesterol treatment

without the unwanted effects of niacin. It is used at the 500 to 1,000 mg

taken three times per day. It is newer and fewer studies have been done, so

if one takes it, make sure you have your cholesterol monitored to evaluate

its effectiveness and have liver enzymes, uric acid and glucose levels

checked just to be sure you are not one of the people prone to problems with

B3 therapy…..

[You may also try niacin in the form of "no flush" niacin hexaniacinate,

which most health shops sell - alone or in combination with small doses (less

than 150mg) of regular niacin (to minimise the uncomfortable flushing). It

is a good idea to take the niacin in combination with other members of the

vitamin B family - vit B complex, with at least 50mg of most Bs. MCS]

Other Factors:

Supplementing with Vitamin E (800 IU per day), Vitamin C (2-3 grams per day),

Octacosanol (from wheat germ..another good reason to use this food, as it is

also high in beta-sitosterol), Lecithin (2-3 grams per day), and garlic

supplements (600-900 mg per day) all have shown to be very helpful in

reducing cholesterol and triglycerides levels.

*** Here is some very brief information on other helpful supplements to

assist in managing different cardiovascular problems.

OTHER CHOLESTEROL LOWERING SUPPLEMENTS

Since lecithin is a very effective emulsifying agent, which also contains

choline and inositol, some authorities also suggest taking at least 1200mg of

lecithin capsules or granules 3 times daily. By the way, for those who take

skim or reduced fat milk, blending or shaking a teaspoon or two of lecithin

granules into the milk makes it taste much creamier and more palatable - add

according to your personal taste.

Chinese red yeast extract

Chromium picolinate

L-carnitine (2-4gm daily on an empty stomach)

L-arginine on empty stomach (avoid if suffering from herpes, shingles,

schizophrenia)

Bromelain and pectin enzymes (on an empty stomach)

Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) 1000mg daily (begin with 200-400mg daily)

Vitamin C (plus bioflavonoids)

Oats (fibre) and other brans

Olive oil (raw, virgin, cold pressed, kept in refrigerator)

Fish oil

Green tea

Hawthorne berry (also for heart arrhythmias and hypertension)

Grapefruit (note that this can accentuate the effects of some cardiac drugs)

Boswellia

Aloe Vera

Alfalfa

Dandelion

Thyme

Turmeric

Other Supplements for Cardiac Use:

(e.g. for reducing inflammation of tissues, reducing blood pressure or

“thinning” the blood)

CoQ10 (75-150mg a day, with lecithin)

Magnesium (maleate, citrate, aspartate)

Willow bark, Aspirin (75mg a day with meals)

L-arginine on empty stomach (avoid if suffering from herpes, shingles,

schizophrenia)

Ginger

Fish oil

Capsaicin (from “hot” peppers)

MSM

Gotu kola

Ginkgo biloba

Bilberry

Primrose oil

Turmeric

AVOID

Refined carbohydrates

Highly sugared drinks (pop, sodas, etc)

Licorice (can increase blood pressure)

Hydrogenated or “partially hydrogenated” fats (in many cereals, margarines,

candies)

Transfatty acids (in many margarines, cakes, cookies etc)

Heated or fried fats and meats

Fatty meats

Lard and animal fat (many fast food chains use these fats in many products)

Coffee

Ephedra, ephedrine

Shark cartilage

NOTE

If you are considering the use of any of the above supplements, remember that

you should find out as much as you can by reading reputable web pages on each

of them, or consulting books such as:

Balch & Balch, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing”

If you suffer from any cardiac problems, it is essential that you seek

professional medical advice and ascertain if any supplements may interact

adversely with any medication which you may be taking. For example, if you

are on anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin) or heparin, other

supplements such as fish oil, garlic, aspirin, vitamin E (large doses) and

several others can reduce the clotting ability of your blood even further.

If you are on a cholesterol-lowering medication such as one of then statins,

then many of the above supplements can increase the potency of these drugs,

so, in consultation with a suitable medical expert, you should adjust your

dosage accordingly or gradually wean yourself off such drugs, according to

your particular situation. If doing this, it is important that you regularly

have your cholesterol and HDL/LDL ratios checked and that you work under the

What you eat is one of the biggest determinants of your coronary heart disease risk. A diet high in the eight foods below will go a long way to maintaining a healthy heart.
1) Garlic
Garlic contains powerful chemicals that have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. It has been estimated that a clove of garlic a day is needed to obtain these health benefits. If the thought of eating a clove of garlic a day is too much for you, odorless garlic capsules can be purchased from most pharmacies and supermarkets.
2) Oats (Oat-meal and Oat-bran)
Oats are high in soluble fiber which have been shown in many studies to reduce your levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Research has shown that the higher your ratio of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to LDL, the lower your risk of heart disease is. One cup of oatmeal a day provides enough dietary fiber to reduce your LDL cholesterol levels significantly.
3) Alcohol
Moderate consumption of Alcohol (up to two glasses a day) has been shown in most studies to reduce heart disease risk by between 20 percent and 40 percent compared to non-drinkers. Moderate Alcohol consumption has been associated with an increased ratio of HDL to LDL, thinner blood (leading to reduced blood clotting), reduced blood insulin levels and a reduction in arterial plaque build up. Heavy alcohol consumption however raises blood pressure and is associated with a greater risk of heart disease.
4) Oily Fish
Fish such as tuna, salmon, and sardines contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which reduce heart disease risk by reducing blood pressure and increasing blood vessel elasticity. Medical experts recommend a minimum of 2 servings of fish a week to obtain the full benefit of omega-3, alternatively fish oil capsules can be taken.
5) Nuts such as Almonds, Walnuts, and Cashew Nuts
Nuts are rich in polyunsaturated fats and contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. A handful of nuts a day has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 20 percent.
6) Tomatoes and Tomato Products
Tomatoes, especially cooked tomatoes have high levels of Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. In a study of 40,000 women at the Harvard school of Public Health, women who consumed seven or more servings of tomato-based foods were 30 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared to those who consumed less than 1.5 servings. Women who ate more than ten servings a week were up to a massive 65 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
7) Green Tea
A Japanese study of over 400,000 individuals aged between 40 and 79 found that those people who consumed five or more cups of green tea a day were 26 percent less likely to die from heart disease. Researchers also found that the effect was stronger for women than men. Green tea is high in polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants that are also found in most berry fruit, apples, celery, broccoli and parsley. Spinach
Spinach is an excellent source of Vitamins A, C, and K and is also an excellent source of Folate. Folate helps the heart by reducing homo-cysteine levels in the blood. High homo-cysteine levels are associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

Think you need drugs to lower your risk of heart disease? Think again. If you believe that cholesterol causes heart disease, you’re not alone. For years, you’ve read and watched news stories stating — and even been told by your doctor — that this is a fact.
But there’s a lot more to the story.
The truth is, cholesterol is just one risk factor for heart disease. And it’s not even the most important one. You see, cholesterol isn’t all bad. In fact, you’d die without it.
This fatty substance produced by the liver helps keep your body running smoothly by building cell membranes and maintaining hormone levels.
Even more surprising, lowering cholesterol doesn’t necessarily improve health.
Research has even linked LOW levels of cholesterol to a higher risk of death in older people. For some of us, lowering cholesterol may do more harm than good, since higher amounts of cholesterol may actually protect against death.
When it comes to cholesterol, its role in heart disease isn’t the only myth. Here’s another one: “A high-fat diet causes cholesterol problems.” Again, the truth is more complicated than that. That’s because the TYPE of fat you consume matters much more than how MUCH of it you eat.
Trans fats or hydrogenated fats and saturated fats promote abnormal cholesterol, while omega-3 fats and monounsaturated fats can help lower cholesterol and improve the type you do have. Fat isn’t the bad guy here. Instead, it’s sugar. And your body turns sugar into fat.The biggest source of abnormal cholesterol is not fat — it’s sugar, which your body converts to fat.
One kind of sugar is worse than the others. That’s high-fructose corn syrup, or HFCS. You’ll find HFCS in sodas, many juices, and most processed foods. But HFCS isn’t so sweet: It’s the main dietary cause of cholesterol problems.
While we’re on the subject of myths, let’s talk about total cholesterol. It is NOT the most critical aspect of cholesterol. And lowering cholesterol may not be the answer. That’s because you want your HDL (”good”) cholesterol levels to be higher, not lower.
It turns out that many different facets of cholesterol make a difference in your health. These include your levels of HDL (”good”) vs. LDL (”bad”) cholesterol; your triglyceride levels; your ratio of triglycerides to HDL; and your ratio of total cholesterol to HDL. That’s a lot of things to consider — but there’s more.
When it comes to cholesterol and triglycerides, size matters, too. In this case, bigger is better. Cholesterol particles that are large and fluffy are generally safe, even if you have high cholesterol. Smaller particles are more dangerous because they can easily penetrate arteries. Your cholesterol can also become rancid, or oxidized, which can be unhealthy. Oxidative stress and free radicals can trigger inflammation. And when small LDL particles become rancid, they lead to plaque and cholesterol buildup in your arteries.
So cholesterol isn’t the only cause of cardiovascular disease. And lowering cholesterol doesn’t always make a difference in your risk. Instead, cardiovascular problems occur when your body functions get out of whack. The result: Inflammation, blood sugar imbalances, and oxidative stress. Simply put, your risk is determined by the way that your genes interact with your lifestyle and environment. These factors need to stay balanced, or your risk for heart disease will increase. One major risk factor for heart disease is inflammation.
In one major study, Harvard researchers found that people with high levels of a marker called C-reactive protein (CRP) had higher risks of heart disease than people with high cholesterol. People who had lower cholesterol levels didn’t protect those with high CRP. The risks were greatest for those with high levels of both CRP and cholesterol.
Insulin resistance (also called metabolic syndrome or pre-diabetes) also increases the risk of heart disease, by causing blood sugar imbalances and high levels of insulin. High levels of a substance called homocysteine may also lead to cardiovascular illness.
All of these conditions can lower cholesterol, but not the way you’d like. The cholesterol that they lower is the good kind — and lowering that is bad! They also boost your triglycerides, increasing inflammation and oxidative stress — and triggering cardiovascular disease. So what can you do?
There is good news. These factors can arise from poor diet, nutritional imbalances, stress, and lack of activity — all of which are under your control. Changing these factors can help lower cholesterol, as well as other risks for heart disease. But before you can start a comprehensive program to lower your risk of heart disease, you need to determine your overall risk. Ask your doctor about the following tests.
* Total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Your total cholesterol should be under 200; triglycerides under 100; HDL over 60; LDL under 80. Your ratio of total cholesterol to HDL should be less than 3.0. Your ratio of triglycerides to HDL should be no greater than 4.
* NMR Lipid Profile. This looks at your cholesterol under an MRI scan to assess the size of the particles.
* Cardio C-reactive protein. This should be less than 1.
* Homocysteine. Your homocysteine should be between 6 and 8.
* Lipid peroxides or TBARS test, which looks at the amount of oxidized or rancid fat.
* Fibrinogen, which looks at blood clotting. It should be less than 300.
* Lipoprotein (a), can promote the risk of heart disease, often in men. It should be less than 30.
* Genes or SNPs including Apo E, cholesterol ester transfer protein, and MTHFR genes.
* High-speed CT or (EBT) scan of the heart may be helpful. Scores higher than 100 are a concern.
As you can see, cholesterol is important — but it isn’t the most important risk for heart disease. Likewise, lowering cholesterol isn’t the only answer. By getting tested, you’ll get a better picture of your true heart disease risk. Then you’ll be ready to start lowering cholesterol AND your other risk factors so you can improve your health — today.

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.

Diabetes is a scourge on our society. The number of diabetes patients in the US has climbed to an estimated 12-14 million, up from 8 million in 1990. This article will deal with the growth in Type-I and Type-II diabetes in the US, and the effect that diabetes can have on circulatory disease.
The rate of increase is closely tied to the number of obese and morbidly obese people in the US. There are 66 million obese people in the US (obesity is defined as a BMI of over 30%). Nearly a fifth of these people have diabetes today. Left untreated, we can forecast that many with long-term obesity problems will eventually contract Type-II diabetes as a response to long-term problems of insulin resistance.
It’s no coincidence, therefore, that rates of heart disease and other circulatory problems is increasing. What is surprising is, until recently, the rate of heart disease had been declining since the 1950’s. The reason for the fall was primarily due to a reduction in cigarette smoking, from over 60% of the population, to under 25% today.
In addition, we’ve seen an increase in certain populations which are more susceptible to circulatory disease: these maladies are much more common amongst people of Latin American and African-American subgroups. There is a certain correlation between diabetes and circulatory disease. Both African-Americans and Latinos have much higher rates of obesity and heart disease. As those subgroups have grown, so has the overall incidence of diabetes and circulatory disease.
Finally, people are living longer. As we age, we grow more susceptible to circulatory diseases. It is estimated that the number of people in the US over 75 will double between 2005 and 2030.
What is the connection between diabetes and circulatory disease? Cause and effect works in two directions: as we exercise less, we gain weight. With less exercise, we also tend to have higher levels of circulating insulin. These higher levels contribute to an overall increase in insulin resistance from the cells of the body. As insulin resistance increases, the pancreas increases insulin output in order to counteract the problem. A long period of insulin resistance is typically followed by the onset of insulin-resistant Type-II diabetes.
What effect does diabetes have on the circulatory system? Blood vessels thicken throughout the body in response two three factors related to obesity and diabetes:
High blood pressure causes a thickening of the arteries
High circulating LDL and lower HDL ratios contribute to the formation of plaque in blood vessels, which leads to a further narrowing of those vessels
Inflammation, which can result from circulating substances such as homocysteine in obese and diabetic patients, leads to higher levels of heart and circulatory disease.
The smaller the blood vessels, the greater the damage caused by this thickening and narrowing of the blood vessels. The greatest problem in both diabetics and obese people is with their circulation in the capillaries and their extremities. That’s why we see blindness (as a result of constriction in the capillaries of the eye), neuropathy in the feet and hands, and a reduction in circulation in the brain and heart, all are due to a less-effective circulation and narrowing of the arteries.
Heart disease and circulatory disease are interrelated. It is estimated that 60% of those patients who undergo angioplasty will also need vascular intervention, particularly in the kidneys, iliac, SFA (superficial femoral artery) and femoral-popliteal arteries of the leg. Left untreated, patients are at a much higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and diabetic foot ulcers.
Diabetes is closely linked to heart and other circulatory diseases. The correlation between the two means that both must be treated in order to improve a person’s morbidity and mortality.

Do you have the signs of being Insulin Resistant? Are you pre-diabetic?

Do you have heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels?

Are you gaining weight around your middle even though you’re dieting?

Are you depressed or chronically tired?

Do you have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Do you have non-viral Chronic Fatigue or Fibro-myalgia?

If you have one or more of these symptoms, you just might be Insulin Resistant.

 

What is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin is a hormone that is produced by your pancreas to help the body to utilise sugars in your diet, it helps the glucose (sugar) pass from your blood into your cells. Once it is in your cells, it is either used to fuel muscles or stored as fat for future needs.

 

Insulin resistance happens when a diet high in carbohydrates forces the cells to resist the flood of carbohydrates and all that glucose just stays in the blood, and not only do you now have high blood sugar which is the forerunner to diabetes, the pancreas continues to produce more insulin and you now have insulin overload as well.

 

What are the symptoms of Insulin Resistance?

Fatigue

Brain fogginess and inability to focus. Sometimes the fatigue is physical, but often it’s mental

Low blood sugar. Mild, brief periods of low blood sugar are normal during the day, especially if meals are not eaten on a regular schedule. But prolonged hypoglycaemia with some of the symptoms listed here, especially physical and mental fatigue, are not normal. Feeling agitated, jittery, moody, nauseated, or having a headache is common in Insulin Resistance, with almost immediate relief once food is eaten

Intestinal bloating. Most intestinal gas is produced from carbohydrates in the diet. Insulin Resistance sufferers who eat carbohydrates suffer from gas, lots of it

Sleepiness. Many people with Insulin Resistance get sleepy immediately after eating a meal containing more than 20% or 30% carbohydrates

Weight gain, fat storage, difficulty losing weight. For most people, too much weight is too much fat. The fat in IR is generally stored around the midsection in both males and females

Increased triglycerides

Depression. Because carbohydrates are a natural “downer,” depressing the brain, it is not uncommon to see many depressed persons who also have Insulin Resistance.**

WHO Criteria - the World Health Organization bases it’s definition on the above, plus two of the following:

 

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists criteria are similar, but with some different cutoffs, and no particular number of factors required for diagnosis:

How is it diagnosed?

First of all see your doctor, for a full panel of tests, including: Glucose Tolerance Test (2 hour), Lipid Profile (LDL, HDL, Cholesterol, Triglycerides), Insulin Levels (you may show both high blood sugar and high Insulin).

And may include: Plasma Cortisol, Catecholamines, Blood Pressure test, Full Blood profile, C-Peptide.

What can be done?

First of all the good new is Insulin Resistance can be controlled by diet, this is a whole new lifestyle, not a diet that you do for a few weeks or months. A whole new way of eating and exercising is needed. If you need more help there are some drug treatments and supplements that can greatly help with the challenge of getting your insulin and blood sugar under control. The great new is that once you have changed your lifestyle, most if not all of your previous health challenges will often disappear completely.

For more information on Insulin Resistance and the Lifestyle choices you need to make please see “Sick, Tired and Overweight” and “A Rainbow on My Plate” on our website.

**This is not a guide to the various types of depression and in no way constitutes a medical diagnosis or recommendation.

Quick Guide to Metabolic Syndrome

Symptoms and Markers

Growing waist measurement (Buddha Belly)

Depression

Recommendations

Low Carbohydrate lifestyle (Rainbow on My Plate)

            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.