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Update on Cholesterol & Treatment Ideas

High cholesterol is thought to be a main contributing factor to coronary heart disease, a most important cause of death in the U.S. But cholesterol, shaped in the liver and the majority of the cells, isn’t all bad--it’s an influential antioxidant and a precursor to our hormones. It seems that when cholesterol becomes oxidized in the blood, it may construct up plaque in the arteries and endorse cardiovascular problems. The National Cholesterol Education Program focuses on lowering blood levels of LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol)--the "bad" cholesterol, and raising "good" HDL-C (or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) because LDLs are bigger, more easily oxidized particles that “stick” in the arteries.

Most medical literature advocates treating elevated cholesterol with prescription drugs and therapeutic way of life changes. Stating drugs are extensively prescribed because they are effective at lowering cholesterol, but they decrease levels of CoQ-10. To counteract this, one can take CoQ-10 as an addition, or find it in salmon, sardines, spinach, peanuts or beef. Another option to consider is the nutritional supplement Red Yeast Rice Powder, which contains an ingredient similar to the instruction drug Lovastatin and has been used to decrease cholesterol. However, heart disease patients must think all factors (family health history, diet, tobacco and alcohol intake, physical activity, body weight, other diseases) before making a choice regarding any drug or supplement.

Prior or in addition to drug therapy, it is suggested that high cholesterol patients initiate a few therapeutic lifestyle changes. These can include:

• Maintaining usual physical activity and a healthy body weight

• Eating a diverse diet containing protein, complex carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits, grains), fiber, garlic, omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotene, Vitamins C, E, and B complex

• Reducing intake of saturated, mono/polyunsaturated, and partly hydrogenated fats

• Keeping nutritional cholesterol intake under 200mg/day

• Reducing or eliminating tobacco apply

• Drinking a little amount of alcohol, particularly red wine

• Reducing daily stress and rising relaxation