How to Diet Down NOW

No one wants to find out they have a time bomb ticking in their bodies. But, that’s the reality for many who deal with high cholesterol levels. Shooting to get those test results into the normal cholesterol level range can be a vital step toward better health.

Doctors will perform cholesterol level checks on people generally from the age of 20 forward. Those between 20 and about 45 will be asked to submit to a basic blood test about once every five years. If reports come back with normal level ranges in place, no further action will be taken. If they aren’t, however, a person might be asked to make some adjustments to their lifestyle to ensure a healthy heart down the road.

For those that don’t know, normal cholesterol level ranges are in the 200 mg/dL area or below. Anything between 200 and 239 is considered borderline. Above 240 means a person is at high risk for having some bad things happen.

Having normal ranges is very important for ensuring over all good health. The fact is high cholesterol is a marker for some pretty serious conditions. Anyone who has long-term high cholesterol is at much higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease, clogged arteries and even for having a heart attack or a stroke. With these kinds of things on the line, it’s no wonder doctors push their patients to get their cholesterol levels in check.

Going from a high level to normal cholesterol level results on blood tests will take a little work, but really it’s not that much. A heart smart Diet, some exercise and possibly medication will be involved to bring levels lower fast. Losing weight, too, can really help in the quest for lowering levels.

When it comes to keeping cholesterol level results on blood tests, it doesn’t mean a person has to give up everything they enjoy in life. Rather, they might want to make minor adjustments while still enjoying foods that aren’t the best for them on an occasional basis.

Remember that not all cholesterol is bad. The kind known as HDL is known to help lower bad cholesterol and help a person maintain a good cholesterol level. Good cholesterol levels can be increased by eating right, exercising, quitting smoking and even by having an evening drink.

While heart conditions used to strike without warning, the fact is that’s not the case any more. With cholesterol level checks serving as a good marker of things to come, anyone can see and measure their risks. And, thanks to these tests, there are things that can be done quickly and easily to reduce the chances of serious problems.

Making sure levels are maintained can be one of the single most important things a person does to protect their health. Get regular check ups and be certain normal cholesterol level checks are included at least once every five years from age 20 to 45 and more frequently after that. Doing so can save your life.

Riley Hendersen
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/benefits-of-normal-cholesterol-level-reports-are-great-137137.html

Ive been on some medication for acne problems and since Im on it I have to have blood work every month to make sure Im healthy enough to stay on the medication and after my last test I found out that my cholesterol was somewhere over 200, and that to continue my medicine I needed to lower it. Everything I have looked up says to loose weight and Diet and it will help out alot but I only weigh 115 so I dont want to loose anymore weight, any diet suggestions without trying to loose weight?

Go the a health food center. Usually fish oil. Also you can usually control with your diet. Like eating a lot of fish, berries, veggies and olive oil. Stay away from bad fat. Don’t eat fast food. Low fat cheese and milk.

Because of organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA), we’ve learned a lot about cholesterol and how it affects our health. Thanks to these educational organizations, we know that high cholesterol levels can increase our risk for heart attacks and strokes and, by lowering these levels; we reduce these risks as well as keep our hearts and blood vessels healthy. We also know that our cholesterol levels can be improved through exercise, diet, and weight loss.

Although we’ve learned a lot through these educational organizations, there are still a few misconceptions about cholesterol. One of these being that not all cholesterol is harmful. There are both “good” and “bad” forms of cholesterol and a good balance between the two is what is needed for a healthy heart. Because so much emphasis is placed on lowering “bad” cholesterol levels, not enough attention is paid to the benefit of raising “good” cholesterol levels (HDL). Research states that raising HDL levels can provide even greater protection against cardiovascular disease than just simply lowering “bad” cholesterol levels. By raising HDL levels by simply 1%, the risk of heart disease can be lowered by 2% in men and 3% in women. Many studies have shown that low HDL cholesterol levels are an independent risk factor in heart disease. This is extremely important because we’ve learned that despite efforts to change a person’s diet and exercise habits, some people’s cholesterol levels are still unhealthy.

Prescription drugs to lower cholesterol are now available and have been proven by multiple studies to be very successful. The statins’ effectiveness in reducing LDL (”bad”) cholesterol has produced highly significant reductions in heart attacks and strokes. Although these medications do lower cholesterol levels, their side effects must be considered. Statin drugs can cause liver irritation, reduce CoQ10 levels in the body, are associated with myopathy, and are even linked to a rare and sometimes fatal condition called rhabdomyolysis. These drugs also have a relatively small effect on good (HDL) cholesterol levels. Thankfully, there are safe and effective solutions available that can help you manage your cholesterol levels naturally. However, first we must review what we know about cholesterol and heart disease.

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance needed to help digest fats, strengthen cell membranes, make hormones and insulate nerves. Although it is found in every cell of the body, cholesterol is mainly made in the liver, as well as cells lining the small intestine. Even though our bodies make all the cholesterol we need, we also get cholesterol from the foods we eat, such as egg yolks and organ meats. All foods from animal sources contain cholesterol, while plant derived food, including peanut butter and avocado, contains no cholesterol at all.

Cholesterol is important to many functions of the body. However, too much cholesterol in the bloodstream is extremely dangerous. After blood cholesterol reaches high levels, it builds up on the artery walls, and thus increasing the risk for blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. If the cholesterol clogs any of the coronary arteries, the heart’s supply of oxygen and nutrients will diminish, resulting in coronary heart disease, angina, or even heart attack.

Because cholesterol and other fats can’t dissolve in the blood and thereby can’t travel on their own, they have to be transported to and from the cells by lipoproteins. The two major lipoproteins are low density lipoproteins (LDL or “bad cholesterol) and high density lipoproteins (HDL or “good cholesterol”) LDLs carry cholesterol throughout the body to the cells and cause artherosclerosis by clogging up our arteries with fat. On the other hand, HDL prevents the fat buildup by carrying it away from the arteries and to the liver where it can be eliminated. Although high levels of LDL are associated with cardiovascular disease, high HDL can drastically reduce your risk of heart disease. As a result, the AHA has established three guidelines to keep your heart healthy: HDL levels about 40 for men and above 50 for women, LDL levels between 100 and 159, and a total cholesterol (HDL and LDL) of under 200.

Triglycerides are fats used as fuel by the body and a source for metabolism. These levels can fluctuate easily but increased levels are almost always a sign of too much carbohydrate and sugar intake. High amounts of triglycerides make the blood less capable of transporting oxygen and are another factor for cardiovascular disease. Thankfully, the HDL and LDL blend mentioned earlier can safely and effectively lower triglyceride levels.

It has been shown that high levels of HDL cholesterol are inversely related to coronary artery disease risk. However, what people do not know is that there are different subtypes of HDl, including HDL-2 and HDL-3. HDL-3 is produced by the liver and intestines and is responsible for scooping up free cholesterol from the blood vessel walls. The cholesterol carried by HDL-3 is chemically modified, forming a larger-sized subtype, known as HDL-2, or “mature HDL.” HDL-2 transports cholesterol to the liver for processing and elimination, and its molecules are then recirculated in the blood stream. Research has shown that HDL-2 provides more heart-protection because it moves the cholesterol away from arterial walls, and holds a greater number of receptor sites which allows it to carry a larger amount of cholesterol to the liver.

Although many prescription medications have been developed to lower bad cholesterol, there are very few medications that target good cholesterol. Therefore, patients with naturally low HDL cholesterol, who can not alter these levels through Diet and exercise, have limited medical options to reduce their risk of heart disease. Multiple nutrients have been clinically shown to favorably alter good cholesterol levels including: vitamins C, E, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, magnesium and selenium, with protein-building amino acids, powerful antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, N-acetyle cysteine, and policosanol, and extracts of hawthorn, garlic, grape seed, and soy isoflavones. Although this HDL-boosting combination does not result in a significant reduction in LDL, antioxidants found in this formulation can help stabilize LDL and prevent build up in the arterial wall.

This formula combines essential vitamins and minerals, at levels recommended by the American Heart Association. It contains amino acids, antioxidants, and botanicals that have all been used safely for years. No serious adverse effects have been found following supplementation and the combination is safe to use with statin drugs.

Plant sterols, found in nuts, vegetable oils, corn, and rice are structurally similar to cholesterol and are able to block its absorption. Each day the liver receives about 800 mg of cholesterol from intestinal absorption through receptor sites. After entering these channels, the cholesterol is absorbed into the bloodstream. Since plant sterols look similar to cholesterol, they fit perfectly into these receptor sites and block the absorption, which allows the cholesterol to remain in our intestines where it can eventually be excreted. A large amount of plant sterols reduces the amount of cholesterol transported from the intestinal tract to the liver. This cholesterol reduction causes a decrease in LDL levels.

Even if a person does not have high cholesterol levels, reducing bad and raising good cholesterol greatly reduces their risk for ever developing chronic heart disease. Due to side effects, physicians do not normally prescribe statin drugs to people without actual heart disease of high LDL cholesterol levels. Instead, they recommend dietary changes. The HDL-boosting combination and LDL-lowering pantethine and plant sterols blend can effectively help people with heart disease, uncontrolled cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, or people who just want to improve their heart health.

Darrell Miller
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/managing-your-cholesterol-naturally-62521.html

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Im staying the same weight even though Im taking in less than 20 grams of carbs a day. According to the book the weight should still be flying off!! Should I increase my carbs for a few days with more fruits and veggies then cut them again to shock the system or what? Please help me because this is very frustrating.

Has this happened to you?

P.S. No answers saying not to do Atkins because it is "unhealthy". This is untrue and because I now control my sugar have more energy than I have ever had without caffeine, sleep through the night, feel great, and if you do a little research you see that it actually lowers your cholesterol. Also you are not cutting out fruits and vegetables for life only a short time then eating very very healthy.

20# in 3weeks is nearly 7# a week & you’re upset weight loss has slowed lol. The body adjusts, it does not release fat every day. You should not be having any fruit for the first 6 weeks. Make sure your Dietary fat is >65% of total calories. Do not cut calories (better to increase) but you can increase carbs 5 grams with more vegs. Be prepared for a long plateau at 6 weeks (it too will pass)

There is no reason to ever go off a low carb way of eating, you slowly re introduce carbs to your way of eating and as long as you don’t exceed 9grams of carbs an hour (144 carbs a day) you won’t trigger insulin (the fat storage hormone) no matter the calories. Most of us do low carb most of the time & if we cheat & slip back into low carb the next day. I still cheat with sugar occasionally. It’s just not a regular part of my life (as it was preAtkins, 6 years ago, when I felt it controlled me & I had no control)

The rungs to reintroduction of carbs in 5 gram units - all available to very active people in as little as 11 weeks. Make sure you do them in order & you can skip a rung if you do not intend to include it in your permanent way of eating, such as the alcohol rung.:
* (minimum week 3 - maximum 25grams day) Acceptable vegetables, larger quantities
* (minimum week 4 - maximum 30grams day) Add 5grams Fresh cheese
* (minimum week 5 - maximum 35grams day) Add 5grams Nuts and seeds
* (minimum week 6 - maximum 40grams day) Add 5grams Berries
* (minimum week 7 - maximum 45grams day) Alcohol can be added if desired
* (minimum week 8 - maximum 50grams day) Add 5grams Legumes
* (minimum week 9 - maximum 55grams day) Add 5grams Other fruits
* (minimum week10 - maximum 60grams day) Add 5grams Starchy vegetables
* (minimum week11 - maximum 65grams day) Add 5grams Whole grains
If you are continuing to lose or maintain (whichever is goal) in week 12 and beyond, you continue to add 5grams a day per week til you reach your personal carb level.

Many people gain weight on high carb, then switch to low carb to lose weight & then are shocked when they return to high carb that they gain weight. (Isn’t insanity defined as doing the exact same thing, in the exact same way and expecting different results??) Many people can return to moderate carb levels but very few can really eat all they want of sugar and maintain weight or health.

You will lose more body fat eating protein and fat (don’t eat protein alone) than not eating AT ALL. To lose weight fast eat all you want but nothing but meat, eggs, healthy oils, mayo, butter and half an avocado a day (you’ll need added potassium). Keep the calories high and the fat percentage high, at least 65% of calories. Adding in green vegetables & some cheese will continue weight loss but at a slower pace.

Your body won’t release fat stores if you lower calories below what it needs. It will slow your metabolism to compensate and store every spare ounce as fat. If you continue lowering your calories, it will continue lowering that set point, til you can survive off nothing and store fat on anything. The body will only release it’s fat stores if it knows there is plenty of food.

Eating carbs while trying to lose body fat is terribly inefficient. When in glycolysis (burning glucose as fuel) you have to lower your calories (which slows your metabolism) and exercise heavily to deplete your glycogen stores before burning body fat.

The core of the Atkins program is converting your body from glycolysis (burning glucose as fuel) to ketosis (burning fat as fuel). You need to keep your fat levels at >65% of your calories, if you don’t your body will still remain in glycolysis by converting 58% of excess protein into glucose (via gluconeogenesis).

Carbohydrates (sugar, flour, bread, cereal, pasta, potatoes, rice, beans) trigger insulin (the ONLY fat storage hormone). Protein triggers the fat burning hormone glucagon.

High insulin levels promote inflammation, weight gain, hunger and unbalance other hormones. Controlling your insulin level will balance out other hormones & allow human growth hormone (HGH) to be produced naturally so you will gain lean muscle even without exercise. Any exercise will greatly increase your muscle mass with high HGH levels.

Ground flax seed (2-4 Tbsp) 1/4 cup water, artificial sweetener, mix in a raw egg - let sit 10 min. to absorb liquid, put some cream cheese in the middle & nuke 2 min for daily fiber needs.

The first 2 weeks you can have several cups a day of (mostly) lettuce and celery, cucumbers, radishes, mushrooms, peppers and more variety of vegetables thereafter add 5 grams per day additional (20 grams day first 2 weeks, 25grams 3rd week, 30grams 4th week etc) every week til you gain weight, then you subtract 10 carbs. That would give you your personal carb level (everyone is different and it depends on how active you are.) As long as you remain <9grams carbs per hour, you will maintain insulin control, and shouldn’t gain

We have heard many times from Dieticians and doctors that lowering cholesterol is extremely important. Cholesterol is a substance that is waxy and fatty like. This is produced by the liver. The interesting fact is that cholesterol has a purpose and is central to your overall body function and health. Every cell in the body has cholesterol forming in it; at appropriate levels it plays a life support role in many functions of the body.

When at the correct levels it actually repairs cells and is involved in the production of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Cholesterol also produces bile acids which aid in the digestion of fat. The problem arises when there is too much cholesterol in the body.

When there is too much cholesterol in the body it can lead to clogged arteries. The consequence of this is heart disease and stroke. How does this affect you? Bottom line cholesterol clogged arteries lead to heart attacks and stroke.

So what foods lead to high cholesterol? The common foods are dairy products such as eggs, and along with that is meat. The foods that do not contain cholesterol are fruits vegetables and grains. With this kind of a diet you can maintain good health resulting in low cholesterol. Cholesterol needs to be managed.

Like anything else, introduce balance in your diet. Learn about foods. Find out what you like and develop a menu from this. Do this in consultation with a dietician or physician. Visit your physician regularly. Remember you cannot turn the clock back. Live and learn to be healthy otherwise the consequences could be deadly.?

Paul Hegarty
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-cholesterol-affects-you-53367.html