2. What is cholesterol?
• Cholesterol is a chemical that is naturally produced by the
body
• Cholesterol is a building block for cell membranes and for
hormones like estrogens and testosterone.
• About 80% of the body's cholesterol is produced by the liver,
while the rest comes from our diet.
• The main sources of dietary cholesterol are meat, poultry, fish,
and dairy products. Organ meats, such as liver, are especially
high in cholesterol content
• Foods of plant origin contain no cholesterol.
• The liver is able to regulate cholesterol levels in the blood
stream and can secrete cholesterol if it is needed by the body.
3. What are LDL and HDL cholesterol?
LDL cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol,
because it is associated with an increased risk of
coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral
artery disease.
HDL cholesterol is called the "good cholesterol"
and prevents atherosclerosis
Low levels of LDL cholesterol and high levels of
HDL cholesterol (low LDL/HDL ratios) are
desirable and protect against heart disease and
stroke.
4. What determines the level of LDL
cholesterol in the blood?
Both heredity and diet have a significant
influence on a person's LDL, HDL and total
cholesterol levels.
Diets high in saturated fats and cholesterol
raise the levels of LDL cholesterol in the
blood. Saturated fats are derived primarily
from meat and dairy products and can
raise blood cholesterol levels.
5. Does low cholesterol prevent heart
attacks and strokes?
The benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol
are:
• Reducing of cholesterol plaques on the artery
walls
• Decreasing the risk of heart attacks
• Decreasing the risk of strokes
6. How can LDL cholesterol levels be
lowered?
Lifestyle changes:
losing excess weight
exercising regularly
following a diet that is low in saturated fat and
cholesterol.
7. Medication to lower cholesterol
The most effective and widely used
medications to lower LDL cholesterol are
called statins.
Most of the large controlled trials that
demonstrated the heart attack and stroke
prevention benefits of lowering LDL
cholesterol used one of the statins.
8. How to Lower Your Cholesterol
Naturally
High-quality, animal-based omega3-fats.
New research suggests it may lower your total
cholesterol and triglycerides and increase your HDL
Red Yeast Rice may lower cholesterol
Reduce grains and sugars in your daily diet, especially
sugars such as fructose.
Eat the right foods for your nutritional type.
Eat a good portion of your food raw.
9. Eat healthy, preferably raw, healthy fats, etc.
This includes:
1. Olive oil
2. coconut oil
3. Organic raw dairy products (including butter, cream,
sour cream, cheese, etc.)
4. Avocados
5. Raw nuts
6. Seeds
7. Eggs (lightly cooked with yolks intact or raw)
8. Organic, grass-fed meats
10. Get the right amount of exercise.
When you exercise you increase your circulation
and the blood flow throughout your body.
Avoid smoking and drinking excessive
amounts of alcohol.
12. What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure (HBP) is a serious
condition that can lead to coronary heart
disease (also called coronary artery disease),
heart failure, stroke,
kidney failure, and other health problems.
14. Treatment of HBP
Lifestyle Changes
These include:
• Following a healthy diet
• Being physically active
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking
• Managing your stress and learning to cope
with stress
15. Dietary changes that may
lower HBP:
low saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat
• Focus on fruits, vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat
milk and milk products
• whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts
• reduce sweets, added sugars and sugary
beverages, and red meats than the typical
American diet
17. What is CoQ 10?
CoQ10 is an enzyme found in every single
mitochondrial cell in the body
about 95% of your body’s energy is
produced by these cells, which convert
sugars and fats into energy.
Your internal organs (like your heart) need
the most energy, which is why you will find
the highest concentrations of CoQ10 here.
18. Disclaimer:
This handout offers information and does not
intend to replace professional treatment for
any of the covered health problems.
Please always consult with your health
practitioner if you have any concerns about
your health.