Is cholesterol the silent killer? That is, as bad or worse than any other known cause of heart attacks and strokes. If high cholesterol is present in the bloodstream, it may be that there is already damage to the interior walls of the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. The walls of the arteries are already thinning and becoming less flexible, as they have been damaged by years of plaque deposit.
When cholesterol molecules become bigger in the blood, they block the passage of the blood. The walls are slowly pushed farther and further apart. This causes them to eventually break through the arterial walls, causing blockage. The result: the affected arteries become so narrow, even small particles of fat can hide inside. If they burst, clots and fatty fluids start flowing in, reducing the flow of blood and therefore the heart’s ability to pump oxygenated blood throughout the body. In some extreme cases, this can lead to heart attack.
When the plaques are small, they do not rupture the arterial walls. Yet, over time, these can grow into large pieces that rupture the wall of the artery and leak. As the plaques increase in size, they squeeze the heart, causing it to expand in diameter, increasing blood pressure. When this happens, there is an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. However, in rare cases, the plaques can cause a heart failure and even death.
There are several ways to lower high cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. The most popular method today is through diet. By avoiding or minimizing foods high in saturated fats and trans-fats, saturated and trans-fats, and cholesterol, the levels of cholesterol can be reduced. A low-saturated fat diet can help reduce high cholesterol and may also lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack.
Another way to reduce high cholesterol levels is to exercise. Exercise also helps in decreasing the levels of cholesterol. It increases muscle mass and heart, which raise the metabolism and help in removing fat. This type of exercise may reduce the risk of heart attack.
Omega 3 fish oil supplements can provide the body with essential fatty acids, which help in reducing inflammation and lowering high blood pressure. Another natural substance that helps lower cholesterol levels is the B vitamins. They consist of vitamins A, D, E, and B-complex.
The consumption of fish, meats, poultry, legumes, vegetables, and fruits helps in increasing the intake of these nutrients. The consumption of fiber-rich food such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables also helps in reducing cholesterol levels and reducing blood pressure. Besides these foods, there are many other things that are helpful in reducing the cholesterol levels in the body.
Regular exercise, eating nutritious food and maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps in fighting this disease. Medications are also available to help treat this problem, but it is better to avoid them, if possible, and take the necessary precautions to stay away from heart attack and stroke. If you are suffering from high cholesterol levels, then the best thing that you can do is to ask for professional advice and take the necessary steps to lower it naturally.
There are several ways that you can reduce cholesterol levels in your body. The first and the simplest way is to avoid the consumption of foods that contain high levels of cholesterol. These include fatty, oily, and cholesterol-such as margarine, some vegetable oils and butter, and whole milk. It would be better if you avoid them altogether rather than eat them once in a while.
Eating cholesterol-rich food is not enough to reduce your blood cholesterol level. In fact, it is suggested that you take supplements, like flaxseed oil, to reduce the cholesterol levels. If you find it difficult to take supplements regularly, at least take them according to the directions on the package. Eating healthy foods is still the best way of fighting high cholesterol.
If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, do not feel bad. There are treatments for high cholesterol levels. In most cases, you would only need to take medications to lower your levels. How does high cholesterol affect health? It can lead to serious medical conditions like coronary artery disease or heart attack, so you must take all the steps necessary to stay away from it.
