High Cholesterol- Are You at Risk?
Did you know that up to 39% of Canadians have an unhealthy level of total cholesterol? While an unhealthy balance of bad cholesterol is not the only cause of cardiovascular disease, it is certainly one of the most significant risks.
Let's Take a Look at Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty-like substance that travels around in your blood and cell membranes. But not all cholesterol is unhealthy.
- It is required to help protect the integrity of your cells and their fluidity, as well as the myelin sheath that covers them.
- The liver also converts cholesterol to produce bile, which is essential to absorb and digest fat molecules and fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamins A, D, E & K.
- Cholesterol is also required to make certain types of hormones, such as Estrogen & Testosterone.
Cholesterol and fats use particles called "lipoprotein particles" as their method of transportation around the body. There are two main types of "Lipoprotein."
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)- often referred to as "bad" cholesterol- carries cholesterol from the liver to the cells throughout the body.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL)- often referred to as "good" cholesterol- returns excess cholesterol to the liver where it is disposed of. LDL is often referred to as the "bad" cholesterol because it facilitates the fatty particles entering the bloodstream. In contrast, HDL removes them from the blood. The entire process is expected and required for life.
The process becomes flawed and leads to illness and disease when more LDL is going in than HDL going out. The sticky substance starts to clump (forms a material called plaque) and begins to close in on arteries, making blood vessels more constricted. As arteries and blood vessels become more constricted, blood flow becomes compromised, reducing blood flow and oxygen to the heart, brain and other organs.
Are You at Risk?
- You consume a diet high in the wrong types of fat, sugars, and refined carbohydrates.
- You do not consumer enough daily fibre, especially soluble fibre
- You have low consumption of plant sterols (found in fruits, vegetables, and legumes)
- You do not consume enough healthy fats
- You have noticed an increase in weight
- You live a sedentary Lifestyle: If you are inactive, the process of removing excess unused cholesterol slows,
- You are over 40. As the body ages, cholesterol levels can become imbalanced, especially if you have other risks
- Heredity: To some extent, your genes will determine how your body manufactures, stores, and removes cholesterol. This does not say that you will have heart disease, only that you may have to work harder to ensure your cholesterol levels remain in sync.
- Medical conditions and medications, both of which may elevate cholesterol levels in your blood negatively.
- There is compelling evidence that increased unmanaged stress can indirectly negatively impact cholesterol due to the correlation between dietary habits and body weight.
Stay Cholesterol Aware!
Knowing what can put you at risk for developing an imbalance in cholesterol and adapting lifestyle changes is the first step in keeping you on the right side of a healthy cholesterol balance. Adopt a Heart health food program by increasing your fibre intake. More fibre includes organic fresh fruit, vegetables and healthy whole grains. Fibre reduces appetite, helps remove unwanted cholesterol from the digestive system, and regulates blood glucose levels. If you cannot achieve your daily fibre requirements, consider supplements such as Healthology Soluble Fibre.
Healthology Soluble Fibre provides a Certified Organic, non-GMO blend of Baobab and Acacia fibres. It dissolves in water and becomes a gel-like substance in the digestive system. Not only supporting gastrointestinal functions. Soluble fibre helps block the absorption of fats and cholesterol in your small intestine, preventing them from entering the bloodstream. Soluble fibres also slow the absorption of sugars from the intestines and reduce LDL cholesterol.
Need some help managing your cholesterol? Consider supplements such as Healthology CHOLESTO-LESS, which is formulated to lower total cholesterol and LDL "bad" cholesterol and raise HDL "good" cholesterol to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Healthology CHOLESTO-LESS, contains plant sterols, unique compounds naturally found in fruits, vegetables, wheat germ, wheat bran, some nuts, and legumes. If consumed daily, they provide a positive path to a healthy heart. But the reality is that it is hard to consume all of the right things every day, which is why supplements such as Healthology CHOLESTO-LESS are the ideal fit for your heart-healthy plan.
Healthology CHOLESTO-LESS contains a therapeutic dose of plant sterols. Plant sterols look a lot like cholesterol in their makeup. They partly block cholesterol absorption so that dietary cholesterol can be removed as waste. This action helps lower blood levels of LDL-cholesterol without affecting HDL-cholesterol or good cholesterol.
Healthology CHOLESTO-LESS also contains Red Yeast Rice and Ubiquinol (Active CoQ10). Red Yeast Rice contains compounds that may help lower cholesterol levels. One of the more prevalent compounds found in Red Yeast Rice is "monacolin K," which produces the same action in the body as statin medications. The monacolin K found in red yeast rice Inhibits the production of cholesterol in the liver, thereby lowering levels of total cholesterol by about and LDL "bad" cholesterol.
The addition of Ubiquinol (Active CoQ10) in the formula provides added protection for the heart. The unique form of C0Q10 found in CHOLESTO-LESS is more well-absorbed and more readily utilized by the body than conventional inactive Ubiquinone C0Q10. Supplementation may assist in lowering levels of LDL, support cellular energy and protect and heal damaged blood vessels caused by high cholesterol.
We hope you find your path to heart-healthy wellness!