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IF YOU DON'T, WHO WILL? GET PROACTIVE WITH YOUR BODY |
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Taking a look at cholesterol
One hundred and twenty volunteers recently participated in a study at Duke University sponsored by Atkins Diet. One half of them were put on the Atkins Diet, the other half on the American Heart Association diet. The results were surprising for some:
I found this interesting in light of my recent columns on the skinny on fat and the low fat/no-fat nonsense that has swept the country. As promised, we’ll take a look now at: CholesterolHigh cholesterol levels are seen as a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, the two leading causes of death in our society. Approximately 650,000 people in the United States die each year from cardiovascular disease. Millions more are disabled. We've learned that nutrition and lifestyle play a major role in preventing cardiovascular disease, yet there is much confusion when it comes to understanding what cholesterol, triglycerides, and fats are all about. Cholesterol is a crystalline substance consisting of fats. The body manufactures about 70 to 80% of its own cholesterol in the liver. The liver releases cholesterol into the blood stream where it is delivered to the cells to build cell membranes, facilitate sex hormones, and aid digestion. If we consume too much dietary cholesterol, the body just manufactures less on its own. Researchers are now taking another look at the "rap" they've given supposedly "high cholesterol" foods like meat, dairy products, and eggs. It appears that dietary cholesterol does not necessarily increase the level of cholesterol in the blood! Studies show that as the consumption of cholesterol increases, internal production of cholesterol automatically decreases. You've probably heard that there are two kinds of cholesterol -- LDL (the "bad" guys) and HDLs (the "good" guys). Actually, they are BOTH GOOD GUYS! LDLs carry cholesterol out to the tissues and HDLs carry unused cholesterol back to the liver where it is converted into bile salts in preparation for excretion. LDLs get "blamed" for carrying cholesterol in the bloodstream where some, if not used, may remain in the arteries and build up as plaque. However, the HDLs who are responsible for carrying the excess back to the liver must also be considered. You can increase your level of HDLs through exercise. Cholesterol is not the evil substance we have been lead to believe it is. Otherwise, why would the body make so much of it on its own? The body needs cholesterol and other fats to make hormones and vitamin D, and support the immune system. Cholesterol seals off damaged tissue in arterial walls and protects the body from radiation, toxins, and other harmful substances. All natural foods that contain cholesterol have lecithin and other fatty acid mobilization nutrients that keep cholesterol moving in the body. By comparison, unnatural fat and/or processed foods contain chemicals that can be harmful. The key then lies in consuming fat/cholesterol in the form of Essential Fatty Acids and participating in regular exercise to manufacture HDLs to ensure excess cholesterol cannot build up in the arterial walls. Dietary EFAs and exercise actually lessen the risk of heart disease! If you have any questions on cholesterol or other health topics, please let me know. It’s a new year and I’m sure many of you resolve to lose weight and get healthier...after all, if you don’t do it for yourself, who will?
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