MANAGING HIGH CHOLESTEROL

What is cholesterol?• Cholesterol is a chemical that is naturally produced by

the body

• Cholesterol is a building block for cell membranes and for hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

• About 80% of the body's cholesterol is produced by the liver, while the rest comes from our diet.

• The main sources of dietary cholesterol are meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. Organ meats, such as liver, are especially high in cholesterol content

• Foods of plant origin contain no cholesterol.

• The liver is able to regulate cholesterol levels in the blood stream and can secrete cholesterol if it is needed by the body.

What are LDL and HDL cholesterol?

LDL cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol, because it is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.

HDL cholesterol is called the "good cholesterol" and prevents atherosclerosis

Low levels of LDL cholesterol and high levels of HDL cholesterol (low LDL/HDL ratios) are desirable and protect against heart disease and stroke.

What determines the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood?

Both heredity and diet have a significant influence on a person's LDL, HDL and total cholesterol levels.

Diets high in saturated fats and cholesterol raise the levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Saturated fats are derived primarily from meat and dairy products and can raise blood cholesterol levels.

Does low cholesterol prevent heart attacks and strokes?

The benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol are:• Reducing of cholesterol plaques on the

artery walls• Decreasing the risk of heart attacks • Decreasing the risk of strokes

How can LDL cholesterol levels be lowered?

Lifestyle changes: losing excess weight exercising regularly following a diet that is low in saturated fat

and cholesterol.

Medication to lower cholesterol

The most effective and widely used medications to lower LDL cholesterol are called statins.

Most of the large controlled trials that demonstrated the heart attack and stroke prevention benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol used one of the statins.

How to Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally

High-quality, animal-based omega3-fats. New research suggests it may lower your total

cholesterol and triglycerides and increase your HDL

Red Yeast Rice may lower cholesterol

Reduce grains and sugars in your daily diet, especially sugars such as fructose.

Eat the right foods for your nutritional type.

Eat a good portion of your food raw.

Eat healthy, preferably raw, healthy fats, etc. This includes:

1. Olive oil 2. coconut oil 3. Organic raw dairy products (including butter,

cream, sour cream, cheese, etc.) 4. Avocados 5. Raw nuts 6. Seeds 7. Eggs (lightly cooked with yolks intact or raw) 8. Organic, grass-fed meats

Get the right amount of exercise. When you exercise you increase your circulation and the blood flow throughout your body.

Avoid smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

High blood pressure

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure (HBP) is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease (also called coronary artery disease), heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems.

CategorySystolic

(top number) 

Diastolic(bottom number)

Normal Less than 120 And Less than 80

Prehypertension 120–139 Or 80–89

High blood pressure      

     Stage 1 140–159 Or 90–99

     Stage 2 160 or higher Or 100 or higher

Categories for blood pressure levels

Treatment of HBP Lifestyle Changes These include:• Following a healthy diet• Being physically active• Maintaining a healthy weight• Quitting smoking• Managing your stress and learning to

cope with stress

Dietary changes that may lower HBP:

low saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat• Focus on fruits, vegetables, and fat-free or

low-fat milk and milk products• whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds,

and nuts• reduce sweets, added sugars and sugary

beverages, and red meats than the typical American diet

A Supplement that may help reduce HBP:

Coenzyme Q 10

What is CoQ 10?

CoQ10 is an enzyme found in every single mitochondrial cell in the body

about 95% of your body’s energy is produced by these cells, which convert sugars and fats into energy.

Your internal organs (like your heart) need the most energy, which is why you will find the highest concentrations of CoQ10 here.

Disclaimer:

This handout offers information and does not intend to replace professional treatment for any of the covered health problems.

Please always consult with your health practitioner if you have any concerns about your health.