| Cholesterol is a silent killer that creeps up on a person | | | | components of lowering cholesterol levels. |
| only after many years of unhealthy lifestyle choices. | | | | One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is through |
| Some may dodge dangerous conditions such as | | | | diet modification. Research suggests that diet alone |
| atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart attack, | | | | can reduce bad cholesterol levels by as much as 35 |
| or stroke due to genetics but most do not. | | | | percent in two weeks. So if your last trip to the doctor |
| The single largest killer in the United States is coronary | | | | produced problematic blood cholesterol levels, you are |
| artery disease (CHD) and is responsible for one out of | | | | concerned about a family history of heart disease, are |
| every five death annually. That amounts to roughly half | | | | increasing in years, or simply think it is time to make a |
| of million people. CHD is caused by the narrowing of | | | | lifestyle change, now just might be the right time to |
| the coronary arteries which jeopardizes adequate | | | | take action to start lowering cholesterol levels and |
| blood flow to the heart. The accumulation of | | | | bring LDL and HDL into balance. |
| cholesterol in the arterial wall initiates and plays a | | | | Experts suggest limiting calories from fat to no more |
| continuing central role in the narrowing of the arteries. | | | | than 25 to 35 percent of the total calories consumed |
| So finding ways of lowering cholesterol can be a very | | | | over several days. Increasing your intake of foods |
| important preventative step in avoiding or managing | | | | helpful for lowering cholesterol such as fruits, |
| arterial concerns and diseases. | | | | vegetables, and grains, which are cholesterol free is a |
| Cholesterol itself is waxy substance that needs help | | | | good place to start. Also, suggested are foods high in |
| finding its way through the system and requires the | | | | soluble fiber, which binds fats in the intestines. The star |
| help of two main types of carriers known as | | | | of the soluble fiber group is oat bran but oat meal, |
| lipoproteins; LDL and HDL. Most cholesterol is | | | | beans, peas, rice, bran, barley, citrus fruits, strawberries, |
| transported by the lower density lipoproteins (LDL) | | | | grapes, and apple pulp are also tasty and useful for |
| which have a tendency to drop cholesterol along the | | | | lowering cholesterol. It is important to point out that |
| way. HDL on the other hand is very efficient and often | | | | dangerous saturated fats should be limited to no more |
| times cleans up cholesterol deposits to boot. It | | | | than 10 percent of your daily calorie intake as not to |
| becomes fairly obvious that improving the ratio | | | | diminish the benefits of your dietary adjustments. |
| between HDL and LDL is one of the most important | | | | |