Australian Fact Sheet: Vitamins for Cholesterol

About Cholesterol

6 million Australians are said to have high cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is made by the liver and is used to build cell membranes and hormones. We don't need to eat foods that contain cholesterol because the body can produce all that it needs. It's possible however to have too much cholesterol in the blood stream if the diet includes foods that are high in saturated fat. This can block the flow of blood and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

However, not all cholesterol is bad. To travel through the bloodstream, cholesterol attaches itself to certain proteins. The combination of fats and proteins are called lipoproteins. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is said to be the 'bad' cholesterol that goes into the bloodstream and clogs up the arteries. High density lipoprotein (LDL) however is referred to as 'good' cholesterol because it helps to take the bad cholesterol out of the blood stream. The objective is to get the right ratio of good to bad cholesterol and keep overall amounts at an acceptable level.

Cholesterol is usually measured as total serum cholesterol with Australian health authorities recommending that cholesterol levels should be no higher than 5.5mmols per litre. Because the level of HDL cholesterol is so important, many doctors also look at the ratio of total cholesterol level to HDL cholesterol level to assess the risks.

Management of Cholesterol

The best way to maintain a healthy cholesterol level is to avoid foods that are high in saturated fat including fatty meats, full fat dairy products, processed meats and snack foods. You should also limit alcohol intake to less than two standard glasses a day, don't smoke, exercise regularly and maintain a health weight.

Some foods including oats, legumes, nuts, cereals, fruit, sunflower and canola seeds and vegetable oils (in small amounts) actually help to lower levels of LDL cholesterol.

For some people, diet and lifestyle changes are not enough and your doctor may prescribe medication.

Vitamins for Cholesterol

Vitamins with evidence of benefit for Cholesterol treatment include:

• Policosanol
• Omega-3 (Flaxseed Oil)
• Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Policosanol

Policosanol is a natural product that is made from the waxy coating of sugar cane. It has been shown to be effective in lowering levels of LDL and overall levels of cholesterol and has been shown to increase levels of HDL.

A single daily dose of 5 mg to 10 mg of Policosanol is said to significantly reduce total cholesterol by between 8 per cent and 18 per cent. It has also been shown to reduced LDL cholesterol by between 11 per cent and 28 per cent and increase HDL cholesterol by between 17 per cent and 29 per cent.

Omega-3 (Flaxseed Oil)

Omega-3s are poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Studies have shown that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may help lower LDL and increase HDL cholesterol.

Omega-3s are commonly found in fish and fish oil as well as Flaxseed oil. There is no formal recommended daily amount, however standard dosage of flaxseed oil (most common ingestion method) is 1 tablespoon of oil 2-3 times daily with meals.

Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Vitamins C and E are antioxidants which help to protect the body from the effects of oxidation of LDL cholesterol

Recommended daily dosage is 60mg of vitamin c and 10mg of vitamin E per day.

Where to get help

Your doctor is the first port of call.

Disclaimer

Healthy Comparisons does not give or purport to give any medical or healthcare advice and is not qualified to do so. You should not under any circumstances substitute qualified medical advice with information found in this fact sheet. The information contained in this fact sheet does not take into account the physical state, medical status or health requirements of any particular individual which are relevant to the proper diagnosis and treatment of any problem, condition or disorder. You should never use or act upon this information without first properly consulting, and seeking proper information and advice from, a qualified healthcare professional. Healthy Comparisons, its related companies and its licensors expressly disclaim all responsibility for and liability in respect of the accuracy of the information provided in the website, its improper application and the consequences of anyone's failure to obtain a proper medical examination and advice from a qualified healthcare professional in the relevant circumstances.

© HealthyComparisons.com.au 2008

Policosanol and Cholesterol Reduction

The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed, one does not typically hear the word used, or see it printed, unless it points to yet another distressing fact -- that high cholesterol is the number one factor for coronary heart disease, and the number one cause of heart attacks[i].

However, cholesterol is, in itself, not a negative thing. On the contrary, cholesterol plays a vital role in forming cell membranes, regulating hormones, insulating nerves, and more. The problem with cholesterol therefore lays not in cholesterol itself, but the amount of cholesterol present in the bloodstream. For most Americans who talk and read about this subject, the scenario almost always involves too much cholesterol, or the condition known as hypercholesterolemia.

When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it cannot easily dissolve, and thus cannot effectively be transported to cells by the carrier called low-density lipoprotein (LDL). This can create a build-up of LDL cholesterol (a.k.a. “bad cholesterol”), and start to interfere with arteries that transport blood to the heart and brain. Both a stroke and a heart attack are the most severe manifestations of LDL cholesterol build-up, and the main reason why so many people are seeking ways to reduce the LDL build-up in their bloodstream[ii].

However, reducing cholesterol has been fraught with challenges. Though reducing or eliminating certain foods from diet is a necessary first step for most individuals, some who suffer from hypercholesterolemia require medical interventions to immediately begin lowering their risk of heart attack or stroke. As such, dozens of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are currently on the market, and while some people have experienced relief due to their use, there are side effects that cause concern, including nausea, diarrhea, muscle tenderness, and increased liver enzymes[iii]. The out-of-pocket costs of these statin drugs can also be cost prohibitive for those not covered by a comprehensive drug plan.

However, a natural product called policosinol is generating an unusual amount of attention 'both positive and negative' from the medical community in light of its purported cholesterol lowering capacity. Derived from the wax of sugarcanes and honeybees, policosinol is said by some to reduce cholesterol, offer no known side effects, be safe in high doses, increase blood flow, reduce platelet clumps, and prevent atherosclerosis (plaque buildup on the artery walls)[iv].

Studies have been conducted on policosinol efficacy, and there is some empirical research evidence that supports it as a high LDL cholesterol remedy. A 2002 study by researchers at the University of Bonn reviewed 60 clinical trials involving 3000 patients, and concluded with cautious optimism that policosinol is a promising alternative to cholesterol lowering stain drugs, and thus warrants further study[v].

However, those poised to buy policosinol and lower their cholesterol should approach with caution; and this is the message voiced by those who are less than enthusiastic about the policosinol's emergence as something of a wonder cure.

Though a natural remedy and thus far not causing the side effects associated with statin drugs, those skeptical about policosinol quickly point out that it is not an FDA approved drug. As such, it has not been subjected to the rigorous testing that comes with approving a new drug, including supervised preclinical trials and standardized testing in successively larger population of people. The fact that the FDA approves 1 out of 5000, or .0002 of the applications that it receives for new drug approval, is an indication of how highly valued 'and rare' this approval is.

However, this instigates another debate â€" whether the FDA approval process is the most appropriate way to accept drugs into drug plans, and whether doctors should be permitted to prescribe non-FDA-approved drugs without undue concerns for malpractice lawsuits. Indeed, an MD may have personally benefited from a natural remedy like policosinol, but to prescribe that to a patient requires more support than personal preference, or even personal testimony.

And it is the intersection of these two separate debates -- whether policosinol works or not, and whether the FDA approval process is fair or not â€" that the situation, and verdict on policosinol, currently lies. This debate is frustrating to all sides; including patients themselves, who simply want a real solution.

However, despite these frustrations, the fact that efforts are being undertaken to develop 'or verify' a remedy that is safe, complete, and free of side-effects â€" is a step in the right direction. Additional research on policosinol will further clarify whether that step should be towards FDA approval, or towards a warning label.


ABOUT PROTICA

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com

You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com

Copyright - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com



REFERENCES

[i] Source: 'Heart Mender'. CNN.Com.
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/americasbest/science.medicine/pro.pridker.html

[ii] Source: 'Cholesterol'. American Heart Association.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4488

[iii] Source: 'Statin Medications: What are the Side Effects?'. Mayoclinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=AN00587

[iv] Source: 'Policosinol'. Wholehealthmd.com.
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10127,00.html

[v] Source: 'Policosinol : clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent'. Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Am Heart J. 2002 Feb;143(2):356-65.

ABOUT PROTICA Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica Nutrition Research is available at http://www.protica.com You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com

Reduce your cholesterol with natural vitamins

Because of the great efforts of the American Heart Association and other similar organizations, we have gained a lot of knowledge on cholesterol and its effects on our health. We know that high cholesterol levels increase our risk for heart attacks and strokes. We also know that lowering our cholesterol levels will reduce this risk and keep our hearts and blood vessels healthy. Additionally, we know that diet, weight loss, and exercise can help us lower our cholesterol levels. Prescription drugs that lower cholesterol have recently become available and advertised by pharmaceutical companies. However, these medications have some serious side effects including myopathy, reduction in CoQ10 levels, which can lead to heart disease, and rhabdomyaolysis, a rare, but fatal condition. Fortunately, there is a safe alternative to these prescription medications, pantethine and plant sterols, which are also known as phytosterols, are nature’s solution to high cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol, a soft, waxy, fat-like substance, is found in every cell of the body. It is needed to help digest fats, strengthen cell membranes, insulate nerves, and make hormones. Made primarily by the liver, our body makes all the cholesterol that we actually need, but we also get additional cholesterol from the foods that we eat. The highest sources of cholesterol are egg yolks and organ meats including liver and kidney. Peanut butter, avocado, and all other plant-derived foods contain no cholesterol. However, all foods from animal sources do contain cholesterol. Even though cholesterol is responsible for many important functions in the body, too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can be very dangerous. Once blood cholesterol has reached high levels, it builds up on artery walls, and therefore increases the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Because the heart is a muscle, it needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients. The bloodstream, which transports these nutrients to the heart through coronary arteries, cannot transport the oxygen if the arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits. Depending on the severity, this can result in coronary heart disease, angina, or heart attack.

Because cholesterol and other fats can’t dissolve in the blood, they can’t travel on their own. Instead, they are transported to and from cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are two major lipoproteins: low density lipoproteins (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol, and high density lipoproteins (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. LDLs cause atherosclerosis because they clog up our arteries with the continual buildup of fat. On the other hand, HDL prevents fat buildup by carrying it away from the arteries to the liver, where it can be processed and eliminated.

Triglycerides, which are fats used as fuel by the body, can make the blood more sluggish and less capable of transporting oxygen when in high amounts. There are many medications prescribed by physicians for people with elevated triglyceride levels. Some of the most effective, and most harmful, are the statins. The all-natural combination of pantethine and plant sterols can safely lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels, while increasing HDL cholesterol.

Pantethine, which is a form of pantothenic acid that is found in liver, salmon, and yeast, is known for its ability to lower cholesterol by blocking its production. The production of cholesterol in the human body is a very complex process, involving many biochemical reactions and enzyme activity. Pantethine inhibits several of these enzymes, blocking the activity of those coenzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis by about 50%. To compensate for the lowered cholesterol production, the liver pulls LDL out of the bloodstream, resulting in a lower total cholesterol level.

Plant sterols, which are the fats of plants, are found in nuts, vegetable oils, corn, and rice. They are structurally very similar to cholesterol and are therefore able to act as a stand in for cholesterol and block its absorption, causing it to be eventually excreted. If we eat enough plant sterols, the amount of cholesterol transported from the intestinal tract to the liver is greatly reduced. And, just like pantethine’s effect on the liver, this cholesterol reduction causes the liver to pull LDL cholesterol out of the blood, which reduces both total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Because the plant sterol and pantethine found in food just aren’t enough to have much of an effect on our health, we need to take a concentrated combination of pantethine and plant sterols in just the right ratio. Plant sterols, which are bound in fibers in the plants, can not be adequately consumed even if we ate lots of raw fruits and vegetables. There are also several forms of plant sterols, with some ratios of these plant sterols being more beneficial than others. While pantethine is found in several food sources, it is hard to get beneficial amounts from our food. Manufacturers of high quality nutritional supplements offer pantethine and plant sterols in the most beneficial ratio, proven by research. The best results are found when taking a combination of 400 mg of plant sterols and 200 mg of pantethine three times a day. Recent studies have shown that lowering cholesterol in people without heart disease can greatly reduce their risk for ever developing CHD, along with heart attacks and atherosclerosis. This is also true for those with high cholesterol levels and for those with average cholesterol levels. Most physicians would never consider prescribing statin drugs to people without actual heart disease or high cholesterol levels because of the many health risks of the drugs. However, the combination of pantethine and plant sterols are very effective in helping those people with heart disease, high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, as well as those just wanting the extra health insurance for their hearts. Pantethine and plant sterols are both very safe. Although some people may experience a mild upset stomach when first taking pantethine, taking the combination of pantethine and plant sterols with meals can usually solve this problem. Pantethine and plant sterols are available at your local or internet vitamin store.

About the author
Please visit VitaNet Health Foods at http://vitanetonline.com/ VitaNet sells vitamins and herbs to lower cholesterol with out side effects. Please link to this site when using this article.  

Powerful Natural Health Strategies: Understand that Cholesterol guidelines are just that...guidelines

Dr Greg Emerson - MBChB, DipObs, DipDHM, FACEM, FACNEM.

Step 1. Food and Exercise

Step 2. Thyroid

Step 3. Detoxify Heavy Metals

Step 4. Nutritional Supplements

About the Author

He believes in the intrinsic ability of the body to heal itself if the underlying cause of the illness is addressed. His practice revolves around three core principles, in the belief that almost all non-traumatic illnesses will respond to these principles:

• Elimination of food and chemical sensitivities
• Alkalinisation and detoxification
• Balancing of hormones

The Emerson Health and Wellness Centre now has 2 DVD's available for purchase direct from the website. Click here to go to the Emerson Health & Wellness Centre Website for more information

Reduce Cholesterol With Celery

Eating raw celery is an excellent and healthy way to reduce high cholesterol blood levels. According to tests by researchers at the University of Chicago, celery reduces cholesterol levels by as much as 7 points with as little as 2 stalks a day.

Not all the cholesterol that causes problems comes from food. The liver manufactures up to 75 percent of the cholesterol in the body. It is in the liver that cholesterol is manufactured and broken down by special enzymes to be removed from the body. Celery aids this process by increasing bile acid secretion. Laboratory studies also indicate that butyl phthalide, a chemical in celery, may help reduce high cholesterol.

Medical experts say that celery is good for people with circulation problems because celery fights fat. Serious circulatory problems can be caused by too much cholesterol in the blood. Heart attacks and strokes are the two most common complications caused by hardening and blockage of the arteries. Celery contains chemicals that stimulate the elimination of fat throughout the body says a physician at the University of Italy in Milan.

Celery is high in calcium. High calcium intake invigorates the endocrine system which releases hormones that break down fatty buildup in cells. The adrenal and thyroid glands secrete the hormone adrenaline and thyroxine respectively, which help to burn accumulated fats in the body cells. The pituitary gland secretes at least nine known hormones which influence body weight gain and loss.

By aiding the body's processes in dissolving already accumulated cholesterol on the interior walls of the arteries, known as plaque, and helping the liver to metabolize and prevent additional formation of cholesterol, celery is an excellent food for cholesterol control.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/497/Marilyn-Pokorney 

Marilyn Pokorney

Marilyn Pokorney is a freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. She also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net. 

What Supplements Can I Take To Lower Cholesterol Levels Naturally?

Let's face it. Our lifestyles wreck havoc on our bodies. Day to day stress, lack of exercise and poor diet all contribute to high cholesterol. Unfortunately, high cholesterol will set us up for other health problems like stroke and heart disease. So what is the solution to this problem?

Lower Cholesterol With Nutritional Supplements

Not all high cholesterol levels can be lowered with diet and exercise. Sometimes medications or nutritional supplements are needed. Our bodies need cholesterol, but if your blood levels show too much LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and too little HDL ("good" cholesterol), you increase your risk for stroke and heart attack.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 100 million Americans have cholesterol that is higher than the recommended level, and one in five Americans has cholesterol levels considered "high." Food only accounts for about 15 percent of the cholesterol our bodies produce, so diet alone may not help if your levels are too high. Nutritional supplements or medication may be needed.

If you'd rather not take prescription medications, try nutritional supplements. Nutritional supplements with garlic, nutritional supplements with Niacin (vitamin B3), nutritional supplements with plant sterols, nutritional supplements with plant stanols, nutritional supplements with psyllium, nutritional supplements with beta glucan, nutritional supplements with red yeast rice extracts, nutritional supplements with policosanol, and nutritional supplements with fenugreek all have their proponents for lowering cholesterol.

These various naturally occurring substances work to combat high cholesterol in various ways. Some of these nutritional supplements, for example plant sterols and psyllium, interfere with the absorption of cholesterol. Soluble fibers such as beta glucan (found in oats and barley) and fenugreek have been demonstrated to lower HDL levels. Guggul extract is an Indian home remedy and is used in prescription medications in India to lower cholesterol and triglycerides. Red yeast rice extracts are traditional Chinese medicine treatments for the heart and contain statins, which are found in prescription anti-cholesterol medication.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/504/Jeanette-Pollock 

Jeanette Pollock

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of http://www.infertilitydomain.com. 

Important Facts About Cholesterol

The name cholesterol is a derivation from the Greek words: chole, which means bile; and stereos, which means solid. The suffix ol is a chemical suffix for alcohol.

One of its major uses is in the synthesizing of bile acids. This takes place in the liver when cholesterol is transported. The formation of acids will be secreted through the bile. The importance of this cholesterol manifests as the lower intestine reabsorbs most of these bile acids, and are not all secreted out of the body. These are then cast-off into the liver.

Although cholesterol has a special role in certain biochemical processes, many, especially middle-aged persons, fear cholesterol. When we speak about cholesterol, for these people it is always about an element that can be most traitorous to their lives. For them, cholesterol is best associated with cardiovascular disease, a disease with a range of lipoprotein cholesterol moving patterns or one with high doses of cholesterol in their blood. This cannot be far from the truth, but unknown to many, there are two kinds of cholesterol: bad cholesterol and good cholesterol.

So, when does cholesterol becomes bad? Furthermore, how can we say if cholesterol is good?

When cholesterol is bad, the formation of a thick and hard deposit or plaque clogs the arteries. These arteries feed the human heart as well as the brain. Bad cholesterol manifests when there is too much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) that is circulating in the blood. This is the condition more known as "atherosclerosis", to which this can cause a stroke or heart attack. Generally, the optimal level that human bodies should contain with LDL cholesterol is around 100mg/dL. More would increase risk of heart disease.

On the other hand, good cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein (HDL), has a high level that seems to guard us against heart attacks. Many medical studies contend with HDL cholesterol as the element that transports some of it to the liver and away from the arteries. Other medical experts believe that it eliminates excess cholesterol that forms plaque in the arteries. Hence, the build-up of the cholesterol is slowed down.

There is another kind of cholesterol: Lp(a), a plasma LDL genetic variation. This is the kind that becomes a high-risk factor, wherein a formation of fatty tissues in the arteries can develop prematurely, when a high-level of this cholesterol is already starting to contribute to the heart disease. Up to date, there is still no evidence showing why this kind of cholesterol is an important factor for building-up fatty deposits.

If you are worried over your cholesterol count, you need to check on this. Control its build-up if you don't want to get threatened with the heart disease. Your diet and your lifestyle are essential factors that affect your blood count. Your genes are another but you can't change or modify this. Instead, looking into the first mentioned two factors should aid you to determine whether you are achieving healthy cholesterol level or not. If it proves that you are on the unhealthy level, seek medical help before anything worse happen. If it is otherwise, help yourself by keeping it from bordering the healthy level. Getting your cholesterol screened regularly, eating the right amount of food, exercising regularly, and maintaining your weight should be religiously followed to avoid any ugly circumstances.

Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/504/Jeanette-Pollock 

Jeanette Pollock

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of http://www.infertilitydomain.com. 

The Truth about C Reactive Protein and Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

The drug companies know what they want you to think. They want you to think that the only reliable predictor for heart disease is an elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level, and the best way to decrease your risk to take "statin" drugs such as Zocor and Lipitor. Cholesterol-reducing medications are among the highest-grossing pharmaceutical products ever, so drug companies want to lead you to their medications. But an elevated LDL-cholesterol level is not the only predictor of heart disease. It's not even the best predictor--that honor goes to a little known test that looks for elevated levels of C-reactive protein.

What is C-reactive protein?

C-reactive protein is produced by the body during times of inflammation. Doctors are not exactly sure why some people have elevated C reactive protein and others have normal levels, but they do know that high C reactive protein is linked to higher rates of heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and sudden cardiac death.

Traditional doctors agree that a test for C-reactive protein is a better measure of a person's risk for heart disease than cholesterol. The New England Journal of Medicine reported in November of 2002 that elevated C reactive protein predicts cardiovascular problems better than elevated LDL-cholesterol. The American Heart Association agrees.

How Is Elevated C Reactive Protein Determined?

The test to determine C-reactive protein levels is quite simple. A blood sample is taken, and the sample is analyzed in the laboratory. It's a test that's neither expensive nor invasive.

Even though doctors agree that C-reactive protein is such a powerful predictor for heart disease, the simple test is not often offered to patients. Why? They don't ask for it. Commercial advertising (supported by pharmaceutical companies who make money from lowering people's cholesterol levels) leads patients to ask their doctors to prescribe cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. They rarely ask about C-reactive protein tests and remedies because it's not a big-money business.

What Home Remedies Treat High C Reactive Protein?

Drug companies that sell statin drugs know that they could lose money if people start worrying more about their C-reactive protein levels than they do about their LDL-cholesterol levels. They are quick to point out that studies show that the same drugs used to lower cholesterol will also lower C-reactive protein. However, these drugs are both expensive and dangerous. Muscle reactions have left patients severely disfigured, and even physicians are questioning the wisdom and efficacy of widespread use of statin drugs.

Happily, natural healing offers many ways to keep C-reactive protein levels in the healthy range. These methods can be used to lower elevated C reactive protein, or to maintain good heart health. Even better, natural methods for reducing C-reactive protein have been proven by scientists to be as good as or better than drug therapy at combating C-reactive protein.

Diet--Healthnotes Newswire reported the conclusions of one study that showed that making several positive changes to one's diet could significantly reduce C-reactive protein levels. Adding plant sterols, insoluble fiber, soy protein, and almonds to the low-fat, vegetarian diets of test subjects helped reduce C-reactive protein levels by 28 percent more than a control group fed a low-fat, vegetarian diet.

Other studies have found links between increased consumption of whole grains and reduced C-reactive protein levels. These studies show that subjects who ate more simple carbohydrates had higher C reactive protein levels than subjects who ate more complex carbs.

Supplementation--Vitamin and mineral supplements have also shown to be an inexpensive, effective weapon against C-reactive protein.

Niacin--Niacin is a B-complex vitamin that works so well to lower cholesterol and C-reactive protein that it is regulated by the FDA and available by doctors in prescription strengths. Consumers can also buy high-quality B-complex vitamins, which have many other benefits, from any health food store.

Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin E--Supplementing with vitamin E will reduce your C-reactive protein levels and enhance your health. Scientists have recently proven that combining vitamin E supplementation with coenzyme Q10 is even more effective, and can reduce C-reactive protein levels by as much as 30 percent.

Conclusions

It's still a good idea to make the diet and lifestyle changes that will lower your LDL-cholesterol levels. Reducing your intake of trans and saturated fats will help you live a longer life. If you're concerned about your risk of coronary disease, though, focus on you C-reactive protein levels. Ask your doctor for a blood test to determine your level of C-reactive protein. If it's high, talk to your physician about using diet and exercise, along with nutritional supplementation, to lower your C-reactive protein levels and your risk of heart disease.

References

"Comparison of C-Reactive Protein and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in the Prediction of First Cardiovascular Events." Paul M. Ridker, M.D., Nader Rifai, Ph.D., Lynda Rose, M.S., Julie E. Buring, Sc.D., and Nancy R. Cook, Sc.D. The New England Journal of Medicine. 347:1557-1565, Nov. 11, 2002.

"Inflammation, Heart Disease and Stroke: The Role of C-Reactive Protein."  "Dietary Changes Can Reduce Cholesterol and C-Reactive Protein as Much as Medication."


About the author:
Dan Ho is chief editor of both http://www.beat-your-health-condition.comand Nutritional Supplement Info Spotlight, which offers unconventional and unique solutions for common health issues. Claim your FREE subscription now at http://www.nutritional-supplement-info.com

The New and Improved Cholesterol Ratio

In the past, doctors have focused on the ratio of our good cholesterol (HDL) to our total cholesterol but, in today's medical community, there is growing consensus that a closer look at bad cholesterol (LDL) is our best management tool.

Total Cholesterol contains good cholesterol that protects our heart, known as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and bad cholesterol that is harmful to the heart, known as Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL).

Cholesterol, although a fat, is an essential nutrient for the body. It is made in the liver. The liver produces cholesterol in the necessary quantities for a healthy body, then revs up its production when we ingest a diet high in saturated fats and foods such as meats, dairy products and eggs. When the liver cannot efficiently dispose of the cholesterol excesses of a high fat diet, the excess cholesterol becomes bad cholesterol (LDL) and travels to the arteries of the heart and deposits itself there in the form of plaque. As the plaque accumulates, the walls of the arteries narrow and blood flow to the heart is restricted and eventually blocked.

The theory that "a higher ratio of something good to something bad is always better" is especially true for a healthy heart. This new standard compares our bad cholesterol (LDL) to our good cholesterol (HDL), rather than our good cholesterol to our total cholesterol.

Here are two examples, both using the same method, of how to arrive at the ratio of your bad cholesterol (LDL) to your good cholesterol (HDL):

*LDL of 129 divided by HDL of 40 = a ratio of 3.2
*LDL of 99 divided by HDL of 60 = a ratio of 1.7

The first ratio example of 3.2 indicates the lesser risk of having a heart attack or stroke as compared to the higher risks of up to 11.0. The lower the ratio the better. In general, a ratio of 3.5 or below is recommended.

The second ratio of 1.7 represents the recommended guidelines for optimal, or the best, levels of good and bad cholesterol, which is below 100 for LDL and above 59 for HDL. A ratio of 1.7 or any ratio below 3.3 is considered even better than a low risk.

Risk Levels for Heart Attach or Stroke due to blocked arteries:

*Considered a Low Risk: 3.3 to 4.4
*Considered an Average Risk: 4.4 to 7.1
*Considered a Moderate Risk: 7.1 to 11.0
*Considered a High Risk: 11.0

Consider these three questions:

*Is your blood pressure above healthy levels?
*Do you smoke cigarettes?
*Do you have a family history of heart disease?

If your answer is "yes" to any of the above, you may have additional risk factors for heart disease, even if your cholesterol risk-ratio is at optimal levels. While you can do nothing about family history, general medical advice urges us to get control of high blood pressure and quit smoking.

If you do not know your cholesterol numbers: total cholesterol, HDL and LDL, make an appointment to discuss your cholesterol ratios with your doctor and request a copy of your lab report for your files. Your physician's analysis is your best guide to cholesterol management.

Jacob Mabille writes for Health Guides & Articles where you can find more health tips and related articles. You may republish this article only if you retain resource box and active hyperlinks.

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Atherosclerosis - Nutrition & Environmental Medicine Fact File

Atherosclerosis is NOT a disease of high cholesterol. Atherosclerosis is a disease of overly acidic blood and free radicals which injure the inner arterial wall (endothelium). The sequence of events is as follows:

1. Free radicals produced by acidic blood, heavy metals, insulin, iron and homocysteine inflame (oxidise) the arterial wall. This process is known as oxidative stress.
2. Cholesterol is attracted to the inflamed arterial wall in an attempt to repair the damage.
3. The cholesterol is then attacked by the free radicals and oxidised (becomes rusty).
4. The "rusty" cholesterol is then consumed by white cells.
5. The white cells (known as foam cells) then burst and release more inflammatory mediators which inflame the arterial wall more.
6. Acid blood and free radicals also increase the amount of free calcium in the blood which is then attracted to the inflamed arterial wall in an attempt to "glue" the cracks together.
7. The arterial wall, in a vicious cycle, is left with ever increasing amounts of inflammation, build up of oxidised cholesterol and the calcium glue.
8. This produces plaques in the wall of the artery, narrowing the artery and reducing blood and oxygen flow to tissues.
9. As the plaque increases in size, it eventually becomes unstable and ruptures.
10. A blood clot forms at the site of the rupture, completely blocking the artery. If the artery supplies the heart, a heart attack occurs. If it supplies the brain, a stroke occurs.

The problems on just focusing on cholesterol:

• The root causes of the inflammation of the arterial wall is ignored.
• All fat has been implicated as causing a problem. Many fats are healthy to eat. Hydrogenated fats and trans fatty acids that are present in commercially available vegetable oils and processed foods are the real culprits because they increase free radicals.

Arteries are much healthier if the cause of the inflammation is addressed:

• Free radicals/oxidative stress
• Excessive acidity.
• Excessive free calcium.

There are several tests which give a much better idea of the risks of atherosclerosis than just doing a cholesterol level. These include:

1. Homocysteine- inflames the arterial wall.
2. Fibrinogen- a clotting factor that accumulates at the site of damaged enothelium.
3. Glucose- high levels stiffen and damage the arterial wall.
4. Ferritin- high iron stores oxidise the LDL.
5. Testosterone- low levels interfere with normal endothelial function.
6. Vitamin K- low levels enable calcium to be deposited in the arterial wall rather than bone.
7. C-reactive protein- an inflammatory marker from the liver which also directly damages the endothelium.
8. Lipoprotein A- oxidises LDL.
9. Vitamin D.

About the Author

Dr Greg Emerson is the Founder and Medical Director of the Emerson Health and Wellness Centre which opened in October 2005. He is a consultant in Nutritional and Environmental medicine. He is also a senior specialist in Emergency Medicine and in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. For 18 years he practiced in several large public hospitals including a period of time as an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at a major trauma hospital in Canada and as the Director of a leading Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Unit. He is a lecturer, examiner and current board member for the Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine and a past-examiner for the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine. A long personal battle with illness led him on a profound exploration of healing processes and the prevention of illness. He reappraised both his medical focus and the way he approached health care delivery.

He believes in the intrinsic ability of the body to heal itself if the underlying cause of the illness is addressed. His practice revolves around three core principles, in the belief that almost all non-traumatic illnesses will respond to these principles:

• Elimination of food and chemical sensitivities
• Alkalinisation and detoxification
• Balancing of hormones

Dr Emerson regularly lectures both within Australia and internationally on Nutritional and Environmental medicine. He also runs his own successful international medical conference. His mission is to provide people with the knowledge, tools and motivation to live a life of extraordinary health, vitality and longevity.

Cholesterol Reduction - Nutrition & Environmental Medicine Fact File

Dr Greg Emerson is the Founder and Medical Director of the Emerson Health and Wellness Centre which opened in October 2005. He is a consultant in Nutritional and Environmental medicine. He is also a senior specialist in Emergency Medicine and in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. For 18 years he practiced in several large public hospitals including a period of time as an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at a major trauma hospital in Canada and as the Director of a leading Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Unit. He is a lecturer, examiner and current board member for the Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine and a past-examiner for the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine. A long personal battle with illness led him on a profound exploration of healing processes and the prevention of illness. He reappraised both his medical focus and the way he approached health care delivery.

He believes in the intrinsic ability of the body to heal itself if the underlying cause of the illness is addressed. His practice revolves around three core principles, in the belief that almost all non-traumatic illnesses will respond to these principles:

• Elimination of food and chemical sensitivities
• Alkalinisation and detoxification
• Balancing of hormones

Dr Emerson regularly lectures both within Australia and internationally on Nutritional and Environmental medicine. He also runs his own successful international medical conference. His mission is to provide people with the knowledge, tools and motivation to live a life of extraordinary health, vitality and longevity.

Eggs - Nutrition & Environmental Medicine Fact File

About the Author

Dr Greg Emerson is the Founder and Medical Director of the Emerson Health and Wellness Centre which opened in October 2005. He is a consultant in Nutritional and Environmental medicine. He is also a senior specialist in Emergency Medicine and in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. For 18 years he practiced in several large public hospitals including a period of time as an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at a major trauma hospital in Canada and as the Director of a leading Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Unit. He is a lecturer, examiner and current board member for the Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine and a past-examiner for the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine. A long personal battle with illness led him on a profound exploration of healing processes and the prevention of illness. He reappraised both his medical focus and the way he approached health care delivery.

He believes in the intrinsic ability of the body to heal itself if the underlying cause of the illness is addressed. His practice revolves around three core principles, in the belief that almost all non-traumatic illnesses will respond to these principles:

• Elimination of food and chemical sensitivities
• Alkalinisation and detoxification
• Balancing of hormones

Dr Emerson regularly lectures both within Australia and internationally on Nutritional and Environmental medicine. He also runs his own successful international medical conference. His mission is to provide people with the knowledge, tools and motivation to live a life of extraordinary health, vitality and longevity.

Healthy News: Magnesium May Lower Risk of some Strokes in Male Smokers

A new Swedish study suggests that increased consumption of magnesium rich foods may reduce the risk of cerebral infarction in male smokers. Magnesium has been shown to lower blood pressure and may also affect cholesterol concentrations and the body's use of insulin to turn glucose into energy, both of which may affect the risk of cerebral infarction.

Source: HealthDay News 12/03/08