Coronary Artery Disease | A Metabolic Plan

Aug

27

Cholesterol – What do I Need to Know?

Filed under: cholesterol, health and nutrition; Tagged as: Apolipoprotein B, Bad Cholesterol, Cholesterol Hdl, Cholesterol Levels, coronary artery disease, Excess Cholesterol, Good Cholesterol, High Density Lipoproteins, Hormone Imbalances, Ldl Levels, Low Density Lipoproteins, Low Hdl Levels

So what is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty (lipid) component found in virtually all cell membranes. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL), also called “bad cholesterol,” transport cholesterol from the liver to different organs. Cholesterol is then absorbed by the cells around the body. Excess cholesterol is reabsorbed by the liver and reused or excreted into bile.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL), known as “good cholesterol,” help to remove cholesterol from artery walls by scooping up loose cholesterol and delivering it back to the liver. By removing this excess cholesterol, HDL helps to retard the growth of new plaque.This is why low HDL levels are an additional risk factor for increased mortality from coronary artery disease and strokes.

Cholesterol is the precursor for hormones such as pregnenolone, DHEA, progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. As aging occurs in the body, organs may break the cholesterol down at a slower rate, thereby causing hormone levels to vary; some increasing, some decreasing and some remaining unchanged. Many of the diseases, including depression, abdominal weight gain, prostate, breast and heart disease, are directly related to hormone imbalances.

What can I do about my cholesterol?

While cholesterol levels can be influenced by dietary modification about 80% of cholesterol does not come from dietary sources, but is synthesized by the liver by an enzyme which increases or decreases the production of cholesterol. Other than certain genetic causes, it is the excessive consumption of saturated and trans fatty acids which disrupts the process and may cause an increase in LDL levels. Current belief is that these high levels of LDL may lead over time to atherosclerosis and ultimately to heart disease. For those with a high risk for heart disease, I would recommend learning more about the two types of LDL (apolipoprotein-B and apolipoprotein A) and how they play a significant role in heart health.

Supplements that contain plant sterols have been shown to reduce cholesterol such as Univera’s Florasterol. Exercise is also extremely important and does not need to be excessive. However, it should be consistent for a least a half-hour several times a week. For dietary changes, stick to high fiber, green leafy vegetables and fruits and include bran cereals and oatmeal as well as nuts, which have an added benefit of containing essential fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are best found in fish oil and are known to aid in lowering cholesterol. High fiber foods and plant sterols are beneficial because they aid the body in eliminating cholesterol before it is absorbed.

There have been many changing theories about the role cholesterol plays in coronary artery disease in the last decade. But the one thing that stays constant is that for most people eating healthy helps to control cholesterol levels and that’s got to be good for you and your overall health.

More »

Powered by Bookmarkify™

2 Comments

Jul

5

5. Homocysteine

High levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, have been associated with increased risk of heart attack, bone fracture and poor cognitive function. In fact, in the case of heart attack risk, research has shown that the risk is more than three times as great over a period of five years. It is also a risk factor for coronary artery disease and stroke.

High levels of homocysteine in conjunction with low vitamin B12 has also become recognized as an increased risk factor for bone fractures. Homocysteine levels is a significant risk factor for hip fractures in older people. While folic acid supplements can effectively reduce homocysteine levels, it is not known if that therapy will reduce the risk of fracture.

Elevated homocysteine levels have recently been linked to other disorders such as age-related macular degeneration and depression. Deficiency of folic acid, a B vitamin, plays and important role in mood and homocysteine breakdown and therefore may be the link between depression and elevated homocysteine. Finally, cognitive decline in normal individuals between the ages of 30 and 80 has been associated with elevated homocysteine concentrations.

Homocysteine levels play a significant role in overall health and the addition of folic acid can help to control those levels.

6. C-Reactive Protein

Increasingly, medical science is discovering that inflammation within the body can lead to many life-threatening, degenerative diseases such as coronary heart disease, other diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes, macular degeneration, cognitive decline, arthritis, cancer and autoimmune conditions. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a sensitive marker of systemic inflammation. However, the cardiac CRP test detects even smaller levels of inflammation than the basic CRP test, so it is therefore able to identify at-risk patients earlier, even among apparently healthy people.

The high-sensitivity cardiac CRP may predict risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral arterial disease and sudden cardiac death among healthy individuals with no history of cardiovascular disease, as well as predict recurrent events and death in patients with acute or stable coronary diseases.

Increased levels of C-reactive protein have previously been strongly linked with a greater risk of developing type II diabetes. These results were confirmed in a recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health in which healthy women with high CRP levels were found to be at greater risk, thus establishing the link between type II diabetes and inflammation.

C-reactive protein is also associated with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and major depression in men.

Natural therapies, such as fish oil, L-carnitine and soluble fiber before meals may help to optimize CRP levels, along with exercise and proper diet.

More »

Powered by Bookmarkify™

1 Comment

Jun

23

Many people spend time researching all the supplements and buying more and more of them as they read the latest information about what studies have been done and what new supplement will prevent them from dying of cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer or diabetes – to name a few. But have you checked to see what you are doing to your blood chemistry?

When was the last time you had a comprehensive blood test? Annual blood testing is the most important step adults can take to prevent life-threatening disease. Critical changes in your body can alert you before serious conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or worse occur. Having the proper blood tests can empower you to put together a science-based disease-prevention program that could add decades to your life.

Chemistry Panel and Complete Blood Count

This is the basic testing and the best place to begin. This will give you information on your overall health. It provides a broad range of information on your vascular, liver, kidney and blood cell status. The Complete Blood Count (CBC) measures the number, health, variety, percentage, concentration and quality of the red and white blood cells for infections and anemia.

Red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and transfer carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Other important components of red blood cells measured are hemoglobin and hematocrit. Low levels of these may indicate deficiencies of iron, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or folic acid.

White blood cells are an important component of the immune system. Increased levels in the blood are usually associated with bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections. There are 4 types of white blood cells which are measured and each one is significant in the type of potential disease it can detect.

The Chemistry Profile provides up-to-date information on the status of your cardiovascular system. These tests include total cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein), triglycerides, and total cholesterol/HDL ratio, which is more valuable as a predictor of heart disease than total cholesterol or HDL levels alone.

The endocrine system is responsible for producing hormones throughout the body, one of which is insulin, a regulator of glucose. The Chemistry Panel tests for your resting blood glucose, which helps in detecting early-stage metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Also included in the Chemistry Panel is an assessment of critical minerals such as calcium, potassium, and iron.

While the CBC is a basic test, it provides invaluable information but is only a stepping off point in keeping apprised of your physical health. Over the next few days we will be discussing additional tests that will provide you with critical data in maintaining a healthy blood chemistry.

Cholesterol – What do I Need to Know?

Confused About What Your Blood Chemistry is Telling You? part 3

5. Homocysteine

6. C-Reactive Protein

Confused About What Your Blood Chemistry is Telling You?

Links

FREE ENERGY REPORT!

Recent Posts