| Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is produced by | | | | particles travel through the blood and bond to |
| the liver and is also found in food. It serves a number | | | | oppositely charged particles, to include LDL |
| of purposes that are vital for the body, such as | | | | cholesterol, through the process of oxidation. This |
| giving cell walls their rigidity and strength. However, | | | | process makes LDL more toxic and more likely to |
| when there is too much in the body it can lead to | | | | stick to the arteries. Over time, this can lead to |
| plaque buildup on artery walls, atherosclerosis, and | | | | clogged arteries and heart disease. |
| heart disease among other things. | | | | Grape juice |
| Although high cholesterol can lead to certain diseases, | | | | Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free |
| it is not considered a disease itself. As is the case | | | | radicals. Grape juice has been known to have high |
| with many modern ailments, doctors will likely | | | | levels of antioxidants and therefore can help to lower |
| prescribe medications for high cholesterol. Like other | | | | LDL cholesterol. Grape juice also increases HDL |
| medications, these can have many dangerous side | | | | cholesterol and reduces inflammation that can lead to |
| effects. However, there are many ways to lower | | | | atherosclerosis. |
| cholesterol naturally without the use of medications. | | | | Apples |
| This article will discuss a few natural remedies, | | | | Apples have also been found to have high levels of |
| general diet guidelines, and lifestyle habits that can | | | | antioxidants. Apples contain a variety of |
| lead to lower cholesterol. | | | | phytochemicals, which are strong antioxidants. The |
| Alcohol and tobacco | | | | phytochemical composition of apples varies greatly |
| First of all, smoking will lower your HDL (good) | | | | depending on the type of apple, and there are small |
| cholesterol level and raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol | | | | changes in phytochemicals during the ripening of the |
| level, so giving up smoking is highly recommended if | | | | fruit. Storage seems to have little or no effect on |
| you do smoke. Inhaling second hand smoke has the | | | | apple phytochemicals, but processing can significantly |
| same negative effects on your cholesterol as | | | | decrease the effectiveness of them. |
| smoking, so it is best to avoid exposure to second | | | | Red-yeast rice |
| hand smoke. Also, limit alcohol consumption because | | | | Red-yeast rice has been used for over a thousand |
| excessive alcohol can raise bad cholesterol over time. | | | | years by the Chinese to improve blood circulation, |
| Exercise | | | | and no noticeable negative side effects have |
| One way to increase levels of HDL cholesterol and | | | | occurred. This rice contains several ingredients that |
| decrease levels of LDL cholesterol is to exercise. | | | | may help control cholesterol levels, including |
| Exercise also burns calories and helps to control | | | | monacolins (especially monacolin K), sterols, |
| weight. Running, walking, cycling, and swimming are all | | | | isoflavones, and monounsaturated fat. Red-yeast rice |
| beneficial types of exercise. At least 30 minutes of | | | | results from fermenting rice on which red yeast has |
| exercise a day is recommended. It also helps to do | | | | been grown. In China, red-yeast rice has been found |
| little things like using the stairs instead of the elevator | | | | to reduce total cholesterol by 11-32%. |
| and not trying to get the parking spot that is closest | | | | FDA regulation of lovastatin |
| to the entrance. | | | | In the United States, the FDA banned the sale of |
| Diet | | | | any foods or supplements that contained lovastatin, |
| High cholesterol can be a direct result of poor diet. If | | | | to include red-yeast rice, arguing that this ingredient |
| you eat a lot of fast food and junk food or other | | | | was in some prescription medications and needed |
| foods typically high in saturated fat and trans-fatty | | | | drug approval. As a result of this ban, red-yeast rice |
| acid, then there is a good chance that your | | | | is no longer available in the United States forcing |
| cholesterol level is too high. Foods high in these fats | | | | people to rely more heavily on potentially dangerous |
| are worse than foods simply high in cholesterol | | | | prescription drugs for lowering cholesterol. This is just |
| because the fatty foods cause the body to produce | | | | one small example of how powerful drug companies |
| too much cholesterol. Saturated fat should make up | | | | are controlling the American people. In this example, |
| less than 7 percent of total calories, but it should not | | | | the FDA was helping to protect the profits of the |
| be eliminated completely. However, trans-fatty acids | | | | drug companies by banning a product that has been |
| are unnatural and should never be consumed. | | | | used by the Chinese for over a thousand years with |
| Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are much | | | | no noticeable problems. |
| healthier and can increase HDL levels and lower LDL | | | | Conclusions |
| levels. Olive oil, flax seed oil, and fish are good | | | | By maintaining proper diet and lifestyle, as well as |
| sources of unsaturated fats. | | | | using certain specific remedies, cholesterol can |
| A diet that includes whole grains and fresh fruits and | | | | naturally and safely be kept under control. Drugs will |
| vegetables will help to regulate cholesterol. These | | | | only temporarily lower cholesterol and can lead to |
| foods help to reduce the level of LDL cholesterol in | | | | potentially dangerous side effects. However, drug |
| the body. They can also help with weight | | | | companies are continually using their huge amounts of |
| management. Foods that contain plant sterols also | | | | money to control information presented by doctors, |
| help to lower cholesterol by preventing its absorption | | | | the media, and even the FDA, and thus are keeping |
| into the intestine. | | | | people dependent on their drugs. Drugs will only |
| Free radicals | | | | suppress the symptoms, but you have the power to |
| Free radicals are the particles that result from many | | | | naturally eliminate the cause of those symptoms. |
| chemical reactions in the body. These charged | | | | |