Following a Low Cholesterol Diet Plan

A high level of cholesterol has been linked with a variety of diseases. A high level of cholesterol in the body can be brought about by a number of things. On of them is by following a diet that is high in saturated fat and LDL or “bad” cholesterol which is the type of diet that most people seem to keep nowadays.

Prolonged regular inactivity or lack of proper exercise, smoking and drinking habits can also contribute to the unhealthy increase of bad cholesterol levels that may lead to heart disease in the long term. Heart disease is known to be the number one killer in the US. It is important for people to realize that lowering their cholesterol levels can help reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke. This can be done in a variety of ways.

A healthy lifestyle can help a lot in trying to reduce high cholesterol levels and therefore reduce the risk of developing heart disease. The earlier an individual starts such a practice, the less likely he or she will be suffering from the effects of heart disease with age.

Following a healthy lifestyle will include taking part in a regular exercise routine as well as eating a low cholesterol diet. A healthy diet is very important for an individual trying to reduce facing the risks of having high cholesterol levels.

If you are trying to formulate a low cholesterol diet plan, you should be able to have a clear idea of what you will be doing and what it will take. Knowing and understanding your objectives of following a low cholesterol diet will make you more likely adhere to it more sincerely and in the long term and not just as a fad diet that can come and go. Before you begin indulging in any strict diet like a low cholesterol diet program, you should have some idea on why some foods are safe for you to eat and why some are not.

The basic idea behind every low cholesterol diet plan is to try to decrease the total intake of saturated fat, calories, and cholesterol in the body not only to reduce cholesterol and fat levels but also to lose some weight. The different types of foods that will be able to do this for you include mainly fruits and vegetables.

Foods belonging in this group have very high fiber content. Dietary fiber soaks cholesterol like sponge and helps get rid of it by disposing it out of the body. Fruits such as apples, oranges and pears are high in fiber content. This also includes oats and carrots that you can add to your diet.

Impact Of Bad Chloesterol

In this article I will give you some ideas of the potential health risks and the impact of bad cholesterol on your body. I will also provide you with some easy, real world ideas of how to lower your levels and improve your health.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that forms your cell membranes as well as production of certain hormones and the creation of bile, so you do need cholesterol in your body.

But, many of us get too much cholesterol and the impact of bad cholesterol is really starting to show up in the case of higher instances of heart disease, diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases.

When too much cholesterol builds up in your arteries it is called plaque. This plaque buildup will then block blood flow. It is similar to what happens in the pipes in your home if you have hard water.

Over time you will get a buildup in the pipes and it can become so thick that the water either can’t flow or the flow is slowed down to almost nothing.

This clogging of the arteries deprives your vital organs, such as your brain and heart, of the blood it needs and the consequences can be life threatening – you can have a heart attack or a stroke.

Another problem with a high buildup of plaque is atherosclerosis which is a hardening of the arteries. If your arteries become too built up with plaque, the artery itself can become brittle and eventually burst which can lead to blood clots.

OK, now that you know how dangerous it can be to have too high of a cholesterol level, what can you do about it?

Well, this part is actually pretty easy. There are many things that can be done that will help you get your levels back into a normal balance.

The first thing you need to do is talk to your doctor to get suggestions. Many doctors will prescribe a prescription medication to help control your cholesterol levels.

But, if you don’t want to have to deal with all the side effects, not to mention the cost, of taking prescription drugs, ask your doctor what other things you can do.

In some cases your levels may be so high that you need to get them lowered as soon as you can so medication may be the best choice.

Other times, though, you may have levels that are only borderline or mildly elevated and if that is the case you may be able to make the needed changes with some simple lifestyle changes.

It really can be as simple as eating more lean protein, vegetables and fruit and cutting way back on any fast food and food that is high in fat.

Add some consistent exercise into the mix and you may just find that you are able to control your levels naturally, without having to add any prescription medications to your daily routine.

So, if you are concerned with the impact of bad cholesterol now is the time to act. After you have spoken with your doctor work with him to establish the best course of action for you and your needs.

The Effects of Low Estrogen Production in the Body

As the women grow older, the production of estrogen decreases resulting to the last stage of menstruation, which is better known as menopause. Estrogen is the main hormone responsible for the cessation of menstruation. Many studies have proven that low production of estrogen in the body causes the permanent absence of menstruation.

Estrogen is a female hormone produced by the ovaries. These particular hormones are responsible for the regulation of the different reproductive functions of the female body. It is one among the two female hormones that are responsible for the different shapes of the female body. It is done merely by the even distribution of fats in the body of a female.

Aside from that, estrogen is also responsible for the development of the uterus and the reconstruction of bones and tissues in the bones and brain. If you maintain a safe level of estrogen in your body, it will help in the maintenance of proper blood flow; it also controls the cholesterol level and functions as an antioxidant of the body that filters harmful chemicals found in the body.

With lower estrogen, the ovaries will produce minimum numbers of eggs as well. And with fewer eggs produced, menstrual cycle will stop. Usually, the cause of low estrogen production is aging. It can stop your ovaries from producing estrogens that will cause the absence of menstruation or menopause. The production of low estrogen also affects the holistic balance of the womans body or the homeostasis. Your body will find it difficult to maintain your natural anatomy. Low estrogen in the body also affects the normal function of the brain.

There are many studies that tell that estrogen can prevent the existence of Alzheimers disease. This is because estrogen increases the blood supply to the brain causing it to function well. With minimum amount of blood in the brain, women will have problems with recalling memory that sometimes leads to Alzheimers disease. Low production of estrogen has relatively strong effects to the normal functioning of a womans anatomy.

Low estrogen production, causes irregularities in the menstrual period of some women. Compared to other normal estrogen producing individuals, these people produces small amount of menstruation. It can also be a reason for some emotional problems like depression and aggression towards other people with no valid reason.

This is why maintaining a normal estrogen is essential especially to women. For more information about low estrogen, you can consult your doctor to know more about it.