There has been controversy lately whether or not high cholesterol levels can contribute to heart disease.  Although there have not been studies with a large enough sampling size to really show proof one way or another there is an older study which does attribute a high cholesterol level to an increase of heart disease and is the study that remains the strongest for the argument.

In the Spring of 1958,a team of Harvard medical scientists furnished the final, incontrovertible proof that a surplus of cholesterol in the blood stream can, and does, cause coronary disease. Although this is quite a long time ago, the facts remain the same.

The scientists took little bits of blood vessel wall tissue, and kept them alive in a culture medium (which, in a real sense, means an artificial blood). They then began to add tiny drops of cholesterol to the feeding mixture—which, let us remind you again, corresponds to blood. In four or five days, fat deposits formed in the blood vessel cells.

By check-testing, they soon found that the size of the fat deposit in the blood vessel wall was directly proportional to the amount of cholesterol added. If the blood vessel cells were allowed to remain in the cholesterol-fed medium, the fat deposits soon increased to such size that the blood vessel cells finally withered and died.

Mind you, the doctors actually watched cholesterol produce blood vessel disease, but the experiments went much further. They found that satt-rich stearic acid, which occurs in certain animal fats, aided and abetted the formation of fatty deposits and caused them to increase rapidly and markedly in size.

Then the researchers did an even more astonishing thing. They added linolenic acid, a rich, primary source of polys, to the culture medium, and cholesterol as before; but the fat deposits didn’t form! Thus, they proved experimentally, with live human tissue, that the linolenic-acid polys could offset and counteract the effects of cholesterol, and keep it from forming deposits in the blood vessel walls.

The team continued the experiment. Was the action of the linolenic-acid polys more than protective and preventive? Would the polys actually decrease the size of the deposits which had been laid down in blood vessel cells? This is what they found.
Once a deposit of fat had been formed, the more linolenic acid added to the culture medium, the more the size of the deposit decreased. This can also be interpreted in another sense; viz., the more polys in a fat, the better it will work in preventing “The Grease Trap Disease,” and diminishing the size of fat deposits already formed.

However, don’t take this to mean that you can simply swallow linolenic acid, or any other rich source of polys, and magically cure yourself of coronary disease.

Your fat intake still has to be “balanced.” Remember that an excess of any kind of fat droplets in the blood stream can also cause trouble; and remember, too, that the blood becomes sticky and sludgy, and clots more readily, when you eat too much of any kind of fat. So, keep your total fat intake down.

Remember this, also: These experiments were done only with initial fat deposits, newly formed in the blood vessel cells. There had been no chance for the deposit to become “set,” or for secondary changes to occur.

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High Cholesterol is a very common medical condition that a large percentage of people across the globe suffer from. The cause behind it can be improper diet, obesity or family history. Other diseases such as diabetes may also contribute to a high cholesterol levels. Fortunately, though, many effective ways allow you to lower your cholesterol levels and reduce the possibilities of suffering from a stroke or heart disease. Any time is a good time to take appropriate steps for managing your cholesterol level.

There are many ways by which you can prevent and treat unhealthy cholesterol levels. You may either make simple lifestyle changes that can help you lead a healthy low cholesterol life or if your case is serious, the doctor may recommend medication. In this article, we take a brief look at the many ways to prevent and treat unhealthy cholesterol levels. Taking the right steps now will help you lead a happy and healthy life.

Here below are two ways through which you can maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES:

•    It is very important for you to follow a strict diet and eat healthy. Avoid fried and junk food as much as possible. Instead load your plate with fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, brown rice, cereals and whole grains. You need to reduce the intake of fat and consume low fat, low cholesterol food items.
•    Exercise is very important. It not only helps energize you but keeps your mind fresh as well. Regular exercise can help promote good physical and mental health. So, do try to incorporate a few minutes of exercise into your busy schedule to not only lower cholesterol but improve the overall quality of your life as well.
•    Smoking can be very harmful. It combines with other factors and increases the risk of high cholesterol in the body. Do your body a favor and kick this habit at the earliest.

MEDICATION:
Some people cannot maintain healthy cholesterol level just by making lifestyle changes; they need additional help from prescription drugs. Various kinds of medication help lower high cholesterol. The doctor may prescribe one or a combination of drugs depending on the specific case of the patient. It is very important for you to consult a doctor before you consume any medication.

The most common medication is Statins. These drugs work by stopping the natural cholesterol production in the liver, which forces the liver to pull the required cholesterol from the blood. This aids in reducing total cholesterol thereby helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Other medication shall work differently, some cholesterol drugs help lower cholesterol by blocking it from entering your blood while eating.

These were some of the ways, which you can implement to treat unhealthy cholesterol levels. In order to fight this medical condition, you should educate yourself properly about it and the various causes behind it. It is not difficult to maintain good cholesterol levels, all you need is the right information and a little bit of effort on your part. Talk with your doctor and ask for tips from health-care professionals to set up a plan that shall help you lower your cholesterol to healthy level in no time.

Take the right step today for a brighter tomorrow. Remember the saying, ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ now is your time to make a difference and start your journey towards a healthier and happier you.

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Foods That Help Lower Cholesterol

Reality shows are one of the biggest things people watch on television. This is because the events that happen are not scripted and naturally unfold in front of the viewer. One show that is helping people want to become healthy again is the biggest loser.

The contestants are overweight men and women who work out very hard with help of fitness trainers and coaches and diet very strictly. At the end of the week; one of these players will be eliminated. The person who loses the most  pounds after a three-month campaign will win $250,000 (or so depending on the show)  and have a second chance of living a healthy life.

The individual doesn’t have to fight for money in order to make some lifestyle changes. As the saying goes. ‘health is wealth’ and this is something more precious than any sheet of paper with a dollar sign has to offer.

People are able to burn more calories while exercising. This means the body will burn the food eaten and this has to be replaced so there is energy after to do other functions. The individual should get a meal that has the right amounts of carbohydrates, proteins and fats so this can repair damaged tissue, refuel and lower the body’s cholesterol.

Here are some examples of food that should be eaten after a workout.

Eating bread has been known to replenish the energy lost after a workout.
This is fine as long as it is 100% whole grain or 100% whole wheat. Standard white bread doesn’t have much nutritional value and whole wheat bread is high in fiber which can help to lower your cholesterol levels.

Having  fruit is also a good way to feel refreshed after a workout and like the whole grain bread is  usually high in fiber. It is advisable to eat as a whole instead of taking away the skin or turning this into a juice unless you jiuce the whole fruit.
Studies have shown that eating it the way it is keeps the natural fibers that are good for the person. An apple is just one of many fruits that can be eaten once it has been washed and in addition to helping to lower your cholesterol levels an apple will also fill you up which in turn can keep your weight stabilized.

If the person wants to save some money after going to the gym, it is best to pack some snacks that can be consumed after a workout. Cutting some carrot sticks or slicing a few tomatoes then packing it in a plastic container will come in handy after taking a shower and reporting for work or when going home instead of hitting a fast food restaurant for a quick meal.

Another good choice is light or non-fat yogurt as it’s both refreshing and good for you.

When you arrive  home, it is time to prepare something that can provide better sustenance and nutrition. An example could be having some fish or chicken that has been broiled or cooked on a grill.
Avoid pan frying unless you use a non-stick spray or a small amount of olive oil. Cooking in several inches of oil is not only not good for you when you are watching your cholesterol levels but it will also pack tons of calories.

Having some vegetables along will help make this a healthy meal.  Some garlic and onions can be prepared since studies have shown this to lower the liver’s production of cholesterol.  Have a green salad on the side with non-fat salad dressing or some lemon juice.  I have found that if I use one of the newer spray on dressings I feel satisfied with the taste and each pump of the spray is only 2-3 calories and no fat.

Lowering the cholesterol will not happen overnight. By observing a proper diet with exercise, you will be able to lose weight and cut down the cholesterol levels that puts you in potential danger of high blood pressure, a stroke or a heart attack.

And always remember –when in doubt what to eat stay as unprecessed as possible. Fresh fruit, veggies, non-fat dairy, oatmeal, whey powder, whole grain breads and lean meats.

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