When we talk about the causes of high cholesterol levels, there are a few things that come to mind, and these are, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Though cholesterol is the topmost risk factor for all these, cholesterol still plays a vital role in our body.

Without cholesterol, our cells in the body cannot function well.

What really are the causes of high cholesterol levels then?

Before we discuss on that, let us first find out what are the types and functions of cholesterol.

Cholesterol functions when the blood carries it along with proteins to the tissues of the body. These are called lipoproteins.

On the other hand, there are three different types of lipoproteins namely; low-density lipoprotein known as LDL cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein known as HDL cholesterol and the triglycerides, which are usually found in fatty foods, but the body, can also produce this.

The high-density lipoproteins are the exception, as high amounts of these can bring about benefits to the body.

The main reason why we accumulate bad cholesterol in our body is through consuming large amounts of saturated fat, such as fatty foods and foods with high sugar content as well as drinking alcohol.

You also have to watch your weight, as being overweight almost always coincides with increased unwanted bad cholesterol.

Other causes of high cholesterol levels are smoking which is also the leading risk factor for almost all dreaded diseases.

It is also a documented cause for the elevation of low-density lipoproteins or LDL cholesterol.

This goes hand in hand with sedentary lifestyle thus we need to exercise in order to avoid the condition.

There is a definitive case wherein we cannot prevent the elevation of cholesterol and it is a condition called hyperlipidemia, which is genetically inherited.

With this condition, you cannot simply get rid of increased cholesterol levels, and so you need to learn the best way to manage them.

One of the most effective ways to manage the effects of the causes of high cholesterol levels is through the use of natural cholesterol supplements.

Just be careful and choose one that has completely natural ingredients from a quality company with a proven record of accomplishment for success.

Some ingredients worth looking out for are policosanol, inositol and rice bran oil.

Now that you are aware what the causes of high cholesterol levels are, it is up to you to avoid them as best possible and look after your health.

If you are ready to deal with the causes of high cholesterol levels and achieve heart healthy cholesterol levels, then visit my website today for quality information to guide you to success.

Mary Ruddy is a former high cholesterol sufferer, from a family with a history of heart disease, and has successfully achieved perfect cholesterol levels, reversing and eliminating the risk of heart disease, and is a strong advocate of natural health care. Mary enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily at: http://www.curing-cholesterol.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Ruddy

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Searching for an effective congestive heart failure treatment is something that millions of Americans do regularly. After all, their life may depend on it. Nevertheless, there is no congestive heart failure treatment which can cure the condition, only those that are geared towards management. In this article we will briefly delve into the condition itself and examine a few of the more widely accepted congestive heart failure treatment options.

CHF - The basics

Our heart pump to the tune of about 100,000 beats a day supplying life giving blood and oxygen to our bodies. When CHF occurs the heart is no longer able to meet the body's need for blood and oxygen and strains to keep up with the demand. This condition can occur at any age, can be brought about by the natural process or aging and/or diseases like atherosclerosis, and is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States.

Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath after only mild exertion, shortness of breath while sleeping, swelling in the legs and/or feet, unexplained weight fluctuation, and swollen neck veins.

Conventional congestive heart failure treatment options

The goal of any CHF treatment is to take some of the pressure off of the heart so it doesn't have to work as hard. Diuretics may be prescribed in this pursuit to rid the body of excess fluid which has built up due to poor circulation. Prescription cholesterol medications may be prescribed to keep any additional plaque from building up and keep blood flowing freely through the arteries. Beta blockers may be prescribed to slow down heartbeat, lessen the hearts workload, and decrease the risk of irregular heartbeat. There are even drugs known as ACE inhibitors which dilate the blood vessels, reducing arterial resistance, thus taking some of the pressure off of an already overworked heart.

As you can see there are no shortage of options for medical professionals to consider, and we didn't even get into the surgical possibilities such as balloon angioplasty.

Congestive heart failure treatment options from a natural health perspective

CHF is most often seen in seniors whose heart simply starts to wear out over time. In fact by age 80 the heart will have lost on average about half of its pumping power. It goes without saying that if there are any other extenuating circumstances a rough ride to the hospital emergency room could be in store.

Nevertheless, until that day comes there is a great deal that can be done naturally to hold off this deadly condition starting with lifestyle changes.

Common sense changes such as quitting smoking, only drinking in moderation, reducing sodium intake, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a low fat diet, drinking enough fluids for hydration but not so many as to put pressure on the heart, and daily doctor approved exercise that is appropriate for your level of general health are all excellent suggestions that should be implemented as soon as possible if you feel CHF is present.

Supplements are another area which could prove helpful. Examples would include molecularly purified fish oil, B complex vitamins, along with a natural cholesterol reduction supplement specially formulated to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol.

In conclusion, finding a congestive heart failure treatment option that is right for you is a complicated issue that should be discussed in depth with your doctor. That said, recognizing CHF early and taking steps to manage this condition through natural means before it gets out of control could literally save you life.

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Many effects of cholesterol develop over time. These effects typically are not noticeable within days, weeks, or months, but rather they can take years to develop.

In order to eliminate the risks that are involved with high cholesterol, you need to take preventative measures in order to reduce the levels of cholesterol that exist in the arteries.

The effects of cholesterol are caused by what is known as atherosclerosis, which is a condition in which the arteries in the body shrink and harden.

In order for the human body to function properly, there has to be a constant flow of healthy blood to the heart.

Cholesterol and other matter can build up in the arteries if the levels are too high, which can ultimately cause blockages throughout the bloodstream and limit the amount of high quality blood that is allowed to flow through the arteries.

This, essentially, is what causes the long-term effects that are often associated with high cholesterol.

There are a number of effects of cholesterol that can occur, including high blood pressure, irregular heart beat, angina (chest pain), heart attack, stroke, heart disease, and other health issues.

Typically, those with higher levels of cholesterol, particularly the bad cholesterol (LDL), are more at risk for developing these types of health issues.

This is due to the fact that when cholesterol levels are high, there is an increased chance that blockages will exist throughout the arteries.

As mentioned earlier, the effects of cholesterol are not noticeable right away; they take years to develop, which is why it is critical to monitor your cholesterol levels on a regular basis.

Doing so can help prevent the general build-up of cholesterol in the blood stream and effectively reduce the risk of further complications.

There are ways that you can reduce the levels of cholesterol in your blood stream, some of the most basic methods including maintaining a healthier diet, avoiding smoking and consuming too much alcohol, reducing stress, and getting plenty of exercise.

A healthy diet should consist of fruits, vegetables, nuts, soy based products, and other foods, which are low in saturated fat and contain other valuable vitamins and minerals that your body needs in order to stay healthy.

If these methods are not enough, there are also a number of prescribed and over the counter natural medications that can be taken to help slow or reduce the development of cholesterol in your blood.

If you are ready to prevent the effects of cholesterol and keep yourself safe and healthy, then visit my website today for quality information to guide you to success.

Mary Ruddy is a former high cholesterol sufferer, from a family with a history of heart disease, and has successfully achieved perfect cholesterol levels, reversing and eliminating the risk of heart disease, and is a strong advocate of natural health care. Mary enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily at: http://www.curing-cholesterol.com/

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People have many negative misconceptions regarding various problems related to the high and increasing cholesterol and how it can be cured and treated. Listen carefully to the TV where many ads and programs are running for suggesting you the precautions to cure these problems. But, these all problems can cure by means of natural remedies. There is no match of natural remedies in this earth. So find out the natural treatment way in this article.

To better grab this cholesterol issue, we should better understand the causes that lead to the high cholesterol problems. This can occurs due to many reasons such as; the inherited issues, over weight, physical actions, less sleep and no rest, diseases related to your kidney, problems of diabetes, drugs. Some syndrome for this issue is Cushing Syndrome, Zieves Syndrome, and many more. But, the most important factor is the inherited issues.

High cholesterol problems are not known as the disease. It occurs when there are present great levels of waxy steroid metabolite in the cell membranes. These are than transferred to the blood plasma. So, this is the key to many other problems and issues. A very common problem that results is the disease of cardiovascular. Our objective is to minimize the impact of this disease from our body.

There are many remedies to treat these issues. Main treatment can be done by bringing a change in your diet. Reduce chubbiness from your body with the help of some effective diet program. There are many diet programs available online and offline that reduces the weight and extra chubbiness and provide nutrients to the body as well. Many other issues and problems also arise out of this like Anemia.

Another mode is the drugs utilization. The people these days are very diet and fitness conscious. There are many supplements that we are devising that can reduce the higher levels of cholesterol from the body and there will be no need of any diet.

There are other supplements as well. Vitamin B has been found by the medical study as the most effective supplement to control the amount of cholesterol in your body. It gives boost to HDL. There are some meals that can also reduce the higher level of cholesterol such as; rye, barley, leaf and oats. Many plant stenols also have the capacity for this action and control.

The issue is the less availability of the supplements. These are very rarely available in the market thus hard to find. Don't take the drugs as some people do to control the cholesterol level.

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Some new research finds that anyone who regularly eats whole grain or whole wheat foods instead of the refined kind puts on less of the type of fat that's tied to a higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The fat, known as visceral adipose tissue (VAT), surrounds the intra-abdominal organs and is associated with the onset of high cholesterol, insulin resistance and high blood pressure - a group of risk factors known to medicine as metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome has become increasingly common in the U.S. and estimates suggest that 50 million (or more) Americans now have it.

This latest research into whole grains and heart health comes from an analysis of dietary surveys and body-fat scans conducted on over 2,800 adult subjects between the ages of 32 and 83 years old. The participants underwent multidetector-computed tomography (MDCT) scans to see how much VAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) they had.

The researchers compared the types of fat tissue (both VAT and SAT) to the intake of whole and refined grains, and saw the most striking relationship between intake of whole grains and visceral fat.

Even after they accounted for other lifestyle factors like smoking history, alcohol intake, fruit and veggie intake, percent of daily calories from fat and physical activity, the team found that eating a few servings of whole grains a day was associated with smaller amounts of troublesome VAT.

It seems that the volume of VAT was almost 10% lower in adults who ate three or more servings of whole grains a day and also limited their intake of refined grains to under one serving each day.

In case you're wondering, a serving of whole grains could be a slice of 100% whole wheat bread or a half-cup of oatmeal. A serving of refined grains was considered a slice of white bread or a half-cup of white rice.

Interesting that those subjects who ate three servings of whole grains and several servings of refined grains a day didn't benefit from the whole grain-VAT connection. If the refined grain intake was over four servings a day, whole grains didn't help the volume of fat.

Substituting whole grains for those refined ones seems to be the key.

Beyond possible protection against accumulating a troublesome type of fat, whole grains have vitamins, minerals and high amounts of antioxidants (in amounts near, or over, fruits and veggies) and other natural plant-based substances your body needs. They're a natural source of fiber and are low in fat, and are available in a choice of whole grain breads, varieties of rice, cereal, flour and pasta.

This study builds on earlier research that has linked a higher whole grain intake with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Future work needs to look at whole grain intake and body fat distribution in a larger, far more diverse population. This may help experts find the mechanism that seems to be behind this relationship.

Estimates suggest that nearly 24 million children and adults have diabetes, and 5.7 million people with symptoms remain undiagnosed. Heart disease affects an estimated 17.6 million Americans and is the single leading cause of death in this country. If you're concerned for yourself or someone you love, making simple substitution to whole grain or whole wheat in your diet may well be your best chance for protection.

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Even though it is in charge of moving blood from place to place, your heart needs blood to keep it functioning. This is provided via your coronary arteries, of which there are four. They provide nourishment and oxygen to this vital organ.

Several things can go wrong with these arteries. The most common threat is when they are restricted by plaque, causing them to become hard. Cholesterol is usually the culprit in these cases. If the blood flow is low enough, parts of your heart will actually die. It can also cause an aneurysm, or a break in the arterial wall. That can cause you to bleed to death.

Prevention is the best bet, and it is possible even if you have a family history of this condition. Some of it will probably have to come from your doctor, but there are others you can do at home. It's a good idea to sit down with your doctor and discuss exactly what is necessary.

At Home

Diet: Burgers and fries taste great, but they are very high in fat and cholesterol. A heart healthy diet includes lean protein such as boneless/skinless chicken and turkey or fish. Lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains are also essential.

How you cook is going to be as important as what you cook. There are three safe methods of food preparation: water, oven or grill. Frying is out unless you do it in a non-stick skillet or use cooking spray instead of oil. Steaming, boiling, braising, baking, roasting and grilled are better choices.

If you are already overweight, you may be tempted to skip meals and keep your calorie consumption far lower than what you burn. That is not going to be helpful at all. Keep your calorie deficit no higher than fifteen percent.

Exercise: You should get into the practice of doing a cardio type workout a minimum of three times a week for at least twenty minutes per session. Ideally, this would be done with two days a week of toning exercises. This helps your body burn excess fat.

Herbs: The most important thing about using herbs is that you coordinate it with your doctor. It would be a good idea to consult a qualified herbal practitioner as well. This is even more true if you already have a medical condition and take medication.

Garlic is very good in this area. It can help lower blood pressure and may help reduce LDL cholesterol. Although it's a blood thinner in its own right, it usually is safe to take with other medications.

Red yeast rice may be another option, but this is controversial. It is a natural statin, and has the same side effects and drug interactions as the prescription medications. If you wish to use it, check with your doctor and be sure to get regular blood tests to make sure your liver is functioning properly.

Doctor's Orders

Angiograms: An angiogram can find blocked arteries. A dye is inserted into your blood stream. A camera is then inserted into an artery in your groin and threaded up to check out the condition of your arteries. If blockages are found, they can be opened via angioplasty, usually at the same time. Stints may be put in to keep them open.

Blood Tests: Lipid panels can help you find conditions known to cause hardening of the arteries before any damage is done. Lipids include cholesterol and triglycerides.

Medications: There are several categories of medications that can help reduce your risk of having or repeating coronary artery disease. They include such categories as blood pressure, cholesterol reducing and blood thinning medications. In fact, aspirin is usually on that list.

Preventing a heart attack is doable, but you will have to work at it. It's easy to get lulled into complacency and slip back into old habits. Doing so could mean your life.

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