The majority of people who have elevated cholesterol and their triglycerides are high too are that way because they cannot break the cholesterol down due to having such a poor diet. The problem usually isn’t that you are making too much cholesterol because your body makes a set amount of cholesterol each day. Thus, if you consume more cholesterol containing foods than you did yesterday, your liver will adjust and make less cholesterol. This is why the egg myth that plagued us for so long is just that – a myth. Eating eggs (including the yolks) is not the reason for the high cholesterol. The reason is typically due to a poor diet and lack of proper exercise.The cholesterol issue has become a never ending problem because it is provoked by the pharmaceutical companies. More and more people are taking statins and other medications to help lower their cholesterol. These drugs (e.g. Lipitor and Zocor) have not been found to improve mortality rates in any persons aside from men over 80 years old who have had a prior heart attack. If you were told to go on a cholesterol lowering medication, get a second opinion. Just because your cholesterol is over 200 doesn’t mean you need a medication. It also depends on the HDL levels, commonly referred to as the “good” cholesterol, as well as certain rations. Ideally the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL should be 3:1 or less. Up to 5:1 is “normal.” Over that, you need some work. The most commonly prescribed medications are helping to lower cholesterol but they are causing many other problems, including cardiovascular issues. This just doesn’t make much sense.
For information on aerobic exercise, visit the natural fitness section. For the diet part – get off all the hydrogenated fats – not just some of them, but ALL of them. Stop the margarine and go back to butter. Margarine is hydrogenated which is perhaps the worst thing for healthy cholesterol and many other important health processes. So listen to the cows and go back to natural butter. Pasture raised eggs and grass-fed beef contains a lot of healthy nutrients your body needs too. Healthy beef contains stearic acid that may actually help lower cholesterol. Increase your omega 3s with a fish supplement if you’re not getting those fats from fish itself. Eat a lots of vegetables – all you want, albeit not corn or potatoes. Use extra virgin olive oil and herbs on your salads as a dressing. Pure and “lite” olive oils are poor choices. Eat one to two pieces of fruit a day at the most. Only drink water, with the exception of herbal, caffeine-free teas. Stop the sodas, including diet drinks, as well as coffee and especially juices. Very few people who are truly exercising properly and who stick with the dietary changes will not see a change (lowering) of their “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. For those who don’t, sometimes the reason is an undiagnosed food allergy, infection, or nutritional imbalance. Certain supplements, such as coenzyme Q10, are necessary to protect the heart. Hey, that’s the same CoQ10 that those statin drugs deplete!
High triglycerides are most commonly caused by a diet high in carbohydrates, especially the refined and processed sugars. Following the guidelines above for diet and exercise with more of an emphasis on lowering overall carbohydrate intake and increasing quality protein sources (eggs, meat, fish, poultry) will lead to a successful lowering of triglycerides. True aerobic exercise can lower triglyceride levels significantly, and often quickly. Using pure unrefined (not toasted) sesame seed oil on your salad and other dishes can also help with your carbohydrate and insulin metabolism, thus lowering the triglyceride level. Many times drastic 100+ point changes can be seen in days. Sometimes nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, chromium, or vanadium are needed too. Consult with a knowledgeable physician first.
Remember: Cholesterol is necessary for your health – especially brain function!
Here is another article I wrote about cholesterol concerns.
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