| Fish oil and cholesterol is a subject that has been | | | | should I first try a more natural approach which |
| garnering a great deal of curiosity in recent years. This | | | | revolved around diet, fish oil and cholesterol? |
| is not particularly surprising due to the seriousness of | | | | Below is the five step approach which has shown to |
| diseases linked to high cholesterol levels such as | | | | be effective both in controlling cholesterol levels and |
| atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), heart attack | | | | improving general health. As always talk with your |
| and stroke and the expense of conventional | | | | doctor before embarking on any cholesterol busting |
| prescription medications normally used to moderate | | | | program. |
| the condition. In this informational article we will delve | | | | *Daily fish oil: A recent study indicated that daily fish oil |
| into both fish oil and cholesterol and explore some | | | | supplementation was effective at controlling blood |
| general aspects of cholesterol itself. | | | | triglyceride levels. The fish oils used were high in DHA |
| For years I have heard the terms HDL and LDL but it | | | | and EPA and lowered heart attack risks by a |
| was until recently that I was really able to fully | | | | projected 43% over the next ten years. With no side |
| understand these terms. Let’s explore this eye | | | | effects known this is a form of supplementation worth |
| opening information. | | | | considering. |
| Both HDL and LDL are lipoproteins that carry | | | | *Reduce consumption of saturated fats and |
| cholesterol (a waxy fat like substance) but the part | | | | cholesterol: A good way to do this is to reduce the |
| that I was missing was that HDL is responsible for | | | | intake of animal products in the diet along with any fats |
| returning cholesterol to the liver and LDL is responsible | | | | which are solid at room temperature. |
| for transporting cholesterol from the liver to the cells. | | | | *General healthful foods: Eat more fiber rich plants |
| At this point a light went off in my head and I was able | | | | foods (vegetables, grains, and legumes) |
| to understand why HDL is considered good and LDL | | | | *Exercise: Even moderate exercise such as walking |
| considered bad. What makes LDL so potentially | | | | three or four times a week has been shown to be |
| damaging is that when cholesterol is delivered to the | | | | beneficial. Be sure and check with your doctor, |
| cells through the arteries some will adhere to the sides | | | | especially if you have history of artery or coronary |
| of the arteries, ultimately over time causing vascular | | | | disease before implementing exercise. |
| narrowing, hardening and disease. | | | | *Reduce sugar intake: While there is no direct link |
| Now it became clear that lowering blood LDL levels | | | | between simple sugars and cholesterol sugars have |
| was the key to avoiding cholesterol related disease. | | | | been linked to serious diseases such as diabetes. The |
| The only remaining question was how to do it? Should | | | | combination of diabetes and high cholesterol can be a |
| I go to my doctor and try to get a prescription for a | | | | diabolical one which can be very serious. |
| cholesterol lowering drug such as Crestar or Lipitor or | | | | |