The word cholesterol is associated with mostly bad connotations, but what not everyone knows is that there are both good and bad types of cholesterol and getting the balance right is crucial to our well being. Good cholesterol, known also as HDL or "High Density Lipo Protein", is used by the body in order to clear other cholesterol and arterial plaques and carry them away from the major organs. This then also clears blockages and improves blood pressure and lessens the likely hood of heart disease, heart attack or stroke. Good cholesterol is also used by the body in order to produce the crucial vitamin D as well as to digest fats. Some cholesterol is also required in order to give mammalian cells their density and consistency.

Bad cholesterol on the other hand, also known as LDL or "Low Density Lipoprotein", has the opposite affect of blocking arteries. Over time excess cholesterol along with other waste products in the blood including fats can collect on the walls of the arteries causing them to become narrower and less flexible. This can then obstruct the flow of blood and cause complications such as angina (chest pain). Eventually these blockages can build up and form a clot which can cause either a heart attack or stroke.

There are also two other forms of bad cholesterol known as LD(a) and Triglycerides, these are less understood but are linked to LDL and correlated with heart disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes and angina. As there are many different types of cholesterol this must be taken into account when monitoring cholesterol levels; to completely eliminate cholesterol from the diet would be misguided. Further more as the liver produces its own cholesterol, cholesterol levels can not be controlled by diet alone and have a genetic/familial aspect.

If your physician suspects you have high levels of cholesterol you will be subjected to a blood test or lipo profile which will indicate your cholesterol levels and exact ratio of LDL to HDL. Obviously here the aim is to have as high HDL as possible while maintaining low levels of LDL. Ideally and individual should have a cholesterol level of 200 or below with 140 to 160 being made up of bad cholesterol and 40 to 60 consisting of good cholesterol.

If it is found that a patient has undesirable high levels of bad cholesterol they will have to alter their diet and life style accordingly. To reduce LDL, saturated fats and simple carbohydrates (such as sugar and sweets) should be limited. This includes butter, lard, oil, fries, burgers, takeaways, ready meals, cakes, biscuits and chocolate. There are many small changes you can make to your diet such as removing the sugar from you tea and oil from cooking, which will immediately lower bad cholesterol. Other things that will exacerbate bad cholesterol include smoking, obesity, inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption. Thus loosing weight and quitting smoking are fast ways to improve cholesterol as well as many other facets of health.

In addition to lowering bad cholesterol it is also important to focus on increasing good cholesterol which is often over looked. One important diet change that will improve cholesterol is to increase consumption of fibres including citrus fruits, nuts, cereal bars, wholes grain rice and bread, wheat’s and oats. This lowers cholesterol by clearing out the intestinal and digestive tracts as well as improving bowl movements thus improving the body’s ability to dispose of excess cholesterol. One of the most renowned foods for aiding cholesterol is garlic which works via both its high fibre content as well as its ability to combat bacteria. Diuretics and laxatives such as prunes, dried apricots’, tea, some mints and water, which again improve and encourage bowl movements. These diet changes will lower bad cholesterol and improve good cholesterol and affect the amount of each produced by the liver.

There are also various life style changes that can increase HDL, exercise being one of the foremost. If after making recommended life style changes high cholesterol levels still persist then doctors may advise a course in medications designed to help. The most popular cholesterol medications are statins. Again these work to not only lower LDL but also to increase the livers production of HDL and have been shown to improve cholesterol levels by up to 60% making them the most effective form of prescription drug on the market. Side effects include, stomach cramps, stomach upsets, ab pain and nausea and in some rare instances statins can cause complications that damage the muscles and nerves. However, hopefully by adhering to the suggested alterations to your diet and life style and focusing on raising good cholesterol as well as lowering bad cholesterol you should be able to make significant improvements naturally without pharmaceuticals.

Mack LeMouse

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