Many seem to misunderstand the differences between the different types of cholesterol in the body, but they're actually quite simple to learn.
The two primary types are HDL- cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein, and by its very nature, HDL is a heavy molecule. Heavy is good when it comes to cholesterol because fat generally floats and is lightweight. The reason why HDL-cholesterol is heavier is because it has protein plus fat together in the molecule, and is not primarily fat.
LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. It's lightweight and full of fat molecules, which can "float" to the top if you submerge them in liquid. The more fat you have in the LDL-cholesterol, the more that LDL can oxidize.
Moreover, that's the bad part about LDL cholesterol. Once any part of those fats in the LDL-cholesterol start oxidizing (a fancy term for spoiling), they start creating free radicals. These free radicals are cells that cause damage to the body and are tied directly to inflammation, heart disease, dementia, cancer, rapid aging, amongst other maladies as well.
HDL-cholesterol takes fat out of the tissues of your bodies and from the plasma membranes of the cell and sends it to where it's supposed to go for better brain function, creation of hormones and the breakdown of fat.
LDL-cholesterol transports cholesterol to the bloodstream where it has the potential to damage the arteries.
Why Do Cholesterol Levels Rise?
There are five main reasons why cholesterol levels rise to levels greater than normal:
1. Overweight/Obesity.
Researchers consistently find a correlation of high LDL- cholesterol levels with excess weight. They also find that losing weight can often be enough to bring the LDL-cholesterol levels back to normal.
2. Not Enough Exercise.
Regular physical activity may help to slightly reduce LDL-cholesterol but more importantly, it will raise HDL-cholesterol levels. HDL-cholesterol levels that are high can reduce risks to develop heart disease and a heart attack.
3. Too Much Stress.
Stress to a certain point is good for the body, but too much of it will cause problems. Exercising actually teaches the body how to adapt to stress better because when you exercise, your heart rate increases and lung capacity increases. After exercise, your body must return heart and lung function to normal. This is a function of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a natural way to help teach the body to adapt to stress.
However, too much unchecked stress will raise blood cholesterol levels. Research has shown that habitual behaviors during stressful times such as consuming large amounts of junk foods, smoking and drinking definitely contribute to high cholesterol levels.
4. Heredity.
Your genes may definitely influence your cholesterol levels. If your parents have one of the hyperlipoproteinemia diseases, it's possible that you could have inherited the genetic predisposition for it and end up with high LDL-cholesterol, high total cholesterol levels or high triglycerides. However, watching your diet and exercising will still give you a certain degree of protection against those genes 'turning on' and causing cholesterol levels to skyrocket.
5. Eating the wrong types of fats.
Years ago, the food industry could never have predicted that the trans-fats that are used in products we consume today would be linked to causing high cholesterol levels. Neither would Colonel Sanders with his fat laden fried chicken.
Fats cooked to hot temperatures create free radicals that attach to the LDL-cholesterol molecules in the body. They become oxidized, and once oxidized create even more free radical chain reactions in the body.
An endless cycle of free radicals to oxidized LDL-cholesterol to free radicals to more oxidized LDL-cholesterol occurs while increasing plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
How to Combat High Cholesterol Naturally
The way to combat high cholesterol levels naturally is to address each one of the potential factors that cause it in the first place. Are you overweight? Lose weight and start with 10% of your body weight as a goal for how much to lose. The best way to loose weight is to consume whole foods that are rich in natural whole food vitamins . The list includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, whole grains, lean proteins such as chicken or fish, beans and legumes.
Are you not exercising? Decide on a form of exercise, preferably cardio such as dance, swimming, running, cycling or jumping rope and create a plan. Then commit to it and don't let anything stand in your way.
Are your stress levels too high? Unfortunatley, stress is part of our modern lifestyle and is nearly a part of everyone's life. Is there one primary factor that is causing you stress? Sit down and create a plan to combat it; stop letting stress cause you health problems. Yoga classes and or/meditation classes are a fantastic ways to learn how to cope with stress.
Have you bought into the "Yeah, my dad had high cholesterol and I will, too" philosophy? If so, start reading more on all the good foods that have the capability of turning off genes for disease and turning on genes for health. It all starts with eating a natural diet as described above.
Still eating fried foods and margarine? Why? It can't be the taste because heavily oxidized fats are rancid. Have you ever put your nose up to a half cup of frying oil after the food has been cooked? The bottom line; it smells pretty bad.
Finally, many depend upon vitamin supplements in an effort to reduce their cholesterol. Sadly, research has shown that vitamins do little to nothing to lower cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is simply a lifestyle disease. If seeking extra supplementation in your diet, choose concentrated phytonutrient supplements (otherwise known as plant nutrients) such as additive free aloe vera juice or concentrated greens formulas. Natural whole food supplements will prove most helpful in your battle against high cholesterol.
The two primary types are HDL- cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein, and by its very nature, HDL is a heavy molecule. Heavy is good when it comes to cholesterol because fat generally floats and is lightweight. The reason why HDL-cholesterol is heavier is because it has protein plus fat together in the molecule, and is not primarily fat.
LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. It's lightweight and full of fat molecules, which can "float" to the top if you submerge them in liquid. The more fat you have in the LDL-cholesterol, the more that LDL can oxidize.
Moreover, that's the bad part about LDL cholesterol. Once any part of those fats in the LDL-cholesterol start oxidizing (a fancy term for spoiling), they start creating free radicals. These free radicals are cells that cause damage to the body and are tied directly to inflammation, heart disease, dementia, cancer, rapid aging, amongst other maladies as well.
HDL-cholesterol takes fat out of the tissues of your bodies and from the plasma membranes of the cell and sends it to where it's supposed to go for better brain function, creation of hormones and the breakdown of fat.
LDL-cholesterol transports cholesterol to the bloodstream where it has the potential to damage the arteries.
Why Do Cholesterol Levels Rise?
There are five main reasons why cholesterol levels rise to levels greater than normal:
1. Overweight/Obesity.
Researchers consistently find a correlation of high LDL- cholesterol levels with excess weight. They also find that losing weight can often be enough to bring the LDL-cholesterol levels back to normal.
2. Not Enough Exercise.
Regular physical activity may help to slightly reduce LDL-cholesterol but more importantly, it will raise HDL-cholesterol levels. HDL-cholesterol levels that are high can reduce risks to develop heart disease and a heart attack.
3. Too Much Stress.
Stress to a certain point is good for the body, but too much of it will cause problems. Exercising actually teaches the body how to adapt to stress better because when you exercise, your heart rate increases and lung capacity increases. After exercise, your body must return heart and lung function to normal. This is a function of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a natural way to help teach the body to adapt to stress.
However, too much unchecked stress will raise blood cholesterol levels. Research has shown that habitual behaviors during stressful times such as consuming large amounts of junk foods, smoking and drinking definitely contribute to high cholesterol levels.
4. Heredity.
Your genes may definitely influence your cholesterol levels. If your parents have one of the hyperlipoproteinemia diseases, it's possible that you could have inherited the genetic predisposition for it and end up with high LDL-cholesterol, high total cholesterol levels or high triglycerides. However, watching your diet and exercising will still give you a certain degree of protection against those genes 'turning on' and causing cholesterol levels to skyrocket.
5. Eating the wrong types of fats.
Years ago, the food industry could never have predicted that the trans-fats that are used in products we consume today would be linked to causing high cholesterol levels. Neither would Colonel Sanders with his fat laden fried chicken.
Fats cooked to hot temperatures create free radicals that attach to the LDL-cholesterol molecules in the body. They become oxidized, and once oxidized create even more free radical chain reactions in the body.
An endless cycle of free radicals to oxidized LDL-cholesterol to free radicals to more oxidized LDL-cholesterol occurs while increasing plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
How to Combat High Cholesterol Naturally
The way to combat high cholesterol levels naturally is to address each one of the potential factors that cause it in the first place. Are you overweight? Lose weight and start with 10% of your body weight as a goal for how much to lose. The best way to loose weight is to consume whole foods that are rich in natural whole food vitamins . The list includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, whole grains, lean proteins such as chicken or fish, beans and legumes.
Are you not exercising? Decide on a form of exercise, preferably cardio such as dance, swimming, running, cycling or jumping rope and create a plan. Then commit to it and don't let anything stand in your way.
Are your stress levels too high? Unfortunatley, stress is part of our modern lifestyle and is nearly a part of everyone's life. Is there one primary factor that is causing you stress? Sit down and create a plan to combat it; stop letting stress cause you health problems. Yoga classes and or/meditation classes are a fantastic ways to learn how to cope with stress.
Have you bought into the "Yeah, my dad had high cholesterol and I will, too" philosophy? If so, start reading more on all the good foods that have the capability of turning off genes for disease and turning on genes for health. It all starts with eating a natural diet as described above.
Still eating fried foods and margarine? Why? It can't be the taste because heavily oxidized fats are rancid. Have you ever put your nose up to a half cup of frying oil after the food has been cooked? The bottom line; it smells pretty bad.
Finally, many depend upon vitamin supplements in an effort to reduce their cholesterol. Sadly, research has shown that vitamins do little to nothing to lower cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is simply a lifestyle disease. If seeking extra supplementation in your diet, choose concentrated phytonutrient supplements (otherwise known as plant nutrients) such as additive free aloe vera juice or concentrated greens formulas. Natural whole food supplements will prove most helpful in your battle against high cholesterol.
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