Cholesterol is portrayed as an evil villain on television commercials and magazine ads. Actually, it is a necessity for life. The liver is the main producer of this vital substance.
A function of cholesterol is to keep the cell membranes from falling apart. This soft, waxy matter is essential to form cell membranes, hormones, vitamin D and bile that help in the digestion process.
How the Body Produces and Uses Cholesterol
Eighty five percent of the cholesterol floating in the blood stream is produced by the liver and adrenal glands. Without it the body wouldn’t work: it’s vital to ensure the body’s normal function. It’s used to insulate nerve fibers (so that nerve signals travel properly) and make hormones, which carry chemical signals around the body.
Inflammation and Heart Disease
The coronary disease that causes heart attacks, once attributed to high cholesterol, is now considered to be caused mostly from chronic inflammation. Inflammation can occur as a result of the foods put in the mouth. Food sensitive and low grade infections can produce an inflammatory reaction that occurs in the arteries. This inflammation on the arteries acts like Velcro to catch the circulating cholesterol causing it to stick to the walls. As the build-up occurs, it blocks the artery wall, eventually leading to a heart attack or stroke.
Natural Ways to Support Healthy Cholesterol Levels
There are a number of ways for lowering levels naturally, such as a high fiber diet. The average American consumes 15 grams of fiber per day. If fiber is absent, up to 94% of the cholesterol and bile acids are reabsorbed and recycled. The recommended dietary fiber intake is between 25-40 grams per day. Beans and legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables and gluten free whole grains are all good sources of fiber.
Supplements That May Help
There are numerous nutritional supplements that have shown great promise in lowering cholesterol. Omega III fatty acids, policosanol, guggulipids, green tea extract, plant sterols, red yeast rice, artichoke extract, niacin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C are a sampling of nutrients that have proven to be effective in improving total lipid balance.
Exercise, Stress, and Lifestyle Habits
Exercise and maintaining ideal weight are key factors to good cardiovascular health. Just 30 minutes of exercise per day can increase your level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or “good” cholesterol, reduce your LDL, and lower the total cholesterol levels.
Stress can have a detrimental effect to the body, including increasing cholesterol levels. Meditation can help lower stress levels, as can yoga. Regular exercise and adequate rest will also help to lower stress levels. The more stress the body is under, the more cholesterol the liver makes, because cholesterol is the precursor of stress hormones.
Creating a Personalized Plan for Heart Health
Finding the right combination of these nutrients and lifestyle changes that work for you can make a huge difference on your overall health. Eating a Mediterranean type diet, enjoying the good fats such as olive oil , eating cold water fish like salmon or mackerel three times per week or supplementing with Omega III fatty acids are vital to balancing your numbers. Exercising daily and learning stress coping mechanisms can make a huge difference in not only cholesterol health, but overall health. A consult with a holistically oriented health care provider can help determine and make the appropriate recommendations on what nutrition and lifestyle changes works best for you.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or before making changes to your health routine.
Dr. Elia Acuna is a licensed chiropractor and Board Certified by the American Clinical Board of Nutrition. Achieve Health Maumee is located at 111 East Indiana Avenue, Maumee, Ohio, and is dedicated to supporting whole-body wellness through personalized, patient-centered care.
If you’re interested in learning more or would like to schedule your first appointment, we invite you to contact our office. Your health matters, and we’re here to help you take the next step toward feeling your best.
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