Weight Loss Information

What Makes Your Blood Cholesterol High or Low


Your blood cholesterol level is affected not only by what you eat but also by how quickly your body makes LDL-cholesterol and disposes of it. In fact, your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, and it is not necessary to take in any additional cholesterol from the foods you eat.

People with heart disease or those who are at high risk for developing it typically have too much LDL-cholesterol in their blood. Many factors help determine whether your LDL-cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are the most important.

Your blood cholesterol level is affected not only by what you eat but also by how quickly your body makes LDL-cholesterol and disposes of it. In fact, your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, and it is not necessary to take in any additional cholesterol from the foods you eat. Patients with heart disease or those who are at high risk for developing it typically have too much LDL-cholesterol in their blood. Many factors help determine whether your LDL-cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are the most important.

Heredity. Your genes influence how high your LDL-cholesterol is by affecting how fast LDL is made and removed from the blood. One specific form of inherited high cholesterol that affects 1 in 500 people is familial hypercholesterolemia, which often leads to early heart disease. But even if you do not have a specific genetic form of high cholesterol, genes play a role in influencing your LDL-cholesterol level.

What you eat. Two main nutrients in the foods you eat make your LDL-cholesterol level go up: saturated fat, a type of fat found mostly in foods that come from animals; and cholesterol, which comes only from animal products. Saturated fat raises your LDL-cholesterol level more than anything else in the diet. Eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol is the main reason for high levels of cholesterol and a high rate of heart attacks in the United States. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol you eat is a very important step in reducing your blood cholesterol levels.

Weight. Excess weight tends to increase your LDL-cholesterol level. If you are overweight and have a high LDL-cholesterol level, losing weight may help you lower it. Weight loss also helps to lower triglycerides and raise HDL.

Physical activity/exercise. Regular physical activity may lower LDL-cholesterol and raise HDL-cholesterol levels.

Age and sex. Before menopause, women usually have total cholesterol levels that are lower than those of men the same age. As women and men get older, their blood cholesterol levels rise until about 60 to 65 years of age. In women, menopause often causes an increase in their LDL-cholesterol and a decrease in their HDL- cholesterol level, and after the age of 50, women often have higher total cholesterol levels than men of the same age.

Alcohol. Alcohol intake increases HDL-cholesterol but does not lower LDL-cholesterol. Doctors don't know for certain whether alcohol also reduces the risk of heart disease. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle, lead to high blood pressure, and raise triglycerides. Because of the risks, alcoholic beverages should not be used as a way to prevent heart disease.

Stress. Stress over the long term has been shown in several studies to raise blood cholesterol levels. One way that stress may do this is by affecting your habits. For example, when some people are under stress, they console themselves by eating fatty foods. The saturated fat and cholesterol in these foods contribute to higher levels of blood cholesterol.

Kim Beardsmore is a weight loss consultant whose business operates across 60 countries. This world renowned, medically approved program will give you results you'll love and all the support you need! Estimate your healthy body weight, tons of recipes, articles, ezine and more information on how to lower your cholesterol at http://weight-loss-health.com.au


MORE RESOURCES:

Gorilla Zoe "Don't Feed The Animals" Weight Loss Challenge!
SOHH, Jersey City - 3 hours ago
In preparation for the album, Gorilla Zoe has decided to take on a 12 week weight loss challenge perfectly titled "Don't Feed Da Animal" to lose 40 pounds ...


Weight Loss Centers Settle Suit Alleging Bias Against Men
HR.BLR.com - 4 hours ago
An employer operating weight loss centers has agreed to pay $20 million to settle a US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) accusing the company ...


Examiner.com

Weight loss secrets revealed
Examiner.com - 7 hours ago
by Stephen Cabral, Boston Weight Loss Examiner 2009 will be here before we know it and the time to start looking and feeling your best is now. ...


Exercise may speed weight loss after gastric bypass
Reuters UK, UK - 2 hours ago
The procedure, which restricts the amount of food a person can eat, can spur substantial weight loss and help control obesity-related conditions like ...


Second Tri-State weight loss challenge to kick off
Huntington Herald Dispatch, WV - 1 hour ago
Millne’s first Tri-State Weight Loss Challenge recently finished up with more than 160 pounds and 230 inches lost by participants. ...


Fund weight loss
Calgary Herald,  Canada - 5 hours ago
... however, if the intent is to save health-care dollars, this money would be put to better use by covering fees for weight-loss programs. ...


Daily News: Weight-Loss Surgery Might Benefit Pregnancy
Nurse.com, VA - 9 hours ago
The researchers, who analyzed data from 75 previous studies, also reported women who have weight-loss surgery can improve their chances of getting pregnant ...


Examiner.com

Randy Jackson's soulful weight loss journey
Examiner.com - Dec 2, 2008
His new book titled Body With Soul, is a testament to his long and hard journey of weight loss. He shares his struggles with fad diets and solutions that he ...


Oh Baby: OB GYN offers up weight loss secret
Sioux City Journal, IA - Dec 2, 2008
Cheat -- even a little -- and weight loss wouldn't happen. Try to cook daily "and you're probably going to fail." The secret: Make your meals ahead of time, ...


BlackNews.com (press release)

Is Randy Jackson The Next "Weight-Loss" Idol?
BlackNews.com (press release), OH - 16 minutes ago
Beyond the obvious dangers that weight loss surgery pose to the overweight person, what kind of message is this sending to the greater public? ...

Weight-Loss - Google News

home | site map
© 2006