4 Biggest Factors for High Cholesterol
Diet
Controlling cholesterol has as much more to do with what you do NOT
eat than what you do eat. The amount of saturated fat that is
introduced into the body has the highest impact. The best and fastest
way to lower it is to reduce the amount of saturated fat in the diet by
cutting back or eliminating entirely, meat, eggs, milk and butter, or
basically any food made from animals. Animal products are responsible
for 100% of the cholesterol from food. No plant products contain it.
However, it is also important to note that although certain plant oils
such as palm oil or coconut oil do not contain it, they are high in
saturated fat, which actually can cause your body to produce excessive
amounts of cholesterol.
Although diet is the number one factor
in determining levels in the body, there are many other factors that
also can tilt the scales in one direction or the other. Stress,
caffeine, smoking, and even heredity all contribute to how the body
handles and manufactures it.
Coffee
Coffee drinking is linked to higher levels, with particularly high
levels noted in people who drink coffee processed at high temperatures.
The bulk of these coffee drinks come from any and all drinks made from
espresso. Other forms of coffee, even decaffeinated coffee, have also
been shown to increase levels. Studies show decaffeinated coffee has
relatively the same effect on serum levels. Increases as high as 8-10%
in LDL (low density lipoproteins) or "bad" cholesterol levels have been
observed after drinking decaffeinated coffee for as little as three
months.
Smoking
The me smoking of tobacco has been shown to reduce HDL, or "good"
cholesterol levels. When HDL is reduced, there will most likely be an
increase in LDL since it will have to make up for the decrease in HDL.
In addition to reducing HDL cholesterol levels, many studies have shown
an increase in the amount of total cholesterol in the bloodstreams of
smokers. Cigarettes contain a host of toxins, particularly a compound
called acrolein. Acrolein is a yellow, foul smelling vapor that is
produced by burning plants, like tobacco. Acrolein is easily absorbed
into the bloodstream through the lungs, and research has shown it
contributes to heart disease by adversely affecting the way the body
metabolizes cholesterol. So, it becomes quite simple. If the amount
that you smoke is reduced, the amount of chemicals that enter your body
and adversely affect your cholesterol levels will also decrease.
Stress
Studies have shown that individuals vary in their cholesterol
responses to stress. The variances in levels reflect the way people
react to stress and problems in every day life. The larger the reaction
to emotional situations, the greater the rise in levels.
Regardless
of how it occurs, plaque buildup in the body is a recipe for
cardiovascular disease. Higher total cholesterol and HDL levels
increase the risk of inflammation and the sticky substance known as
plaque. The more plaque and clotting present in the arteries, the
harder it is for blood to move throughout the body, forcing the heart
to work harder to get oxygen and nutrients to the body, thus increasing
the chances of disease.
Take steps today to reduce your
cholesterol levels so you can seriously diminish your risk of dying
from a number of dangerous disease down the line. And remember, it is
almost never too late to start lowering it. Get started today!
