Lowering cholesterol levels


HIGH levels of cholesterol are one of the major causes of heart disease and stroke. This condition may be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, diet, and lifestyle.

But recent studies show that several natural food components do help lower cholesterol levels effectively. Here are some examples:

Plant sterols
Plant sterols (also known as phytosterols or plant stanols) are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that possess cholesterol-lowering properties. They are cholesterol absorption inhibitors and act by reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed via the intestines.

Plant sterols have been shown to reduce cholesterol in human subjects by 10% to 15%, and are therefore, increasingly added to health foods to help lower blood cholesterol levels. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established that a total daily intake of at least 0.8 grams of plant sterols may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Oats
Oats contain soluble fibre called “beta glucans” which lower bad LDL cholesterol. The high content of soluble fibre, complex carbohydrates and protein in oats also stabilises blood-glucose levels.

Omega 3 fish oil
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential unsaturated fatty acids that cannot be synthesised by the human body, but are vital for normal metabolism. Omega 3 fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoicacid (DHA), which are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are known to reduce inflammation throughout the body, along with other health benefits.

The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) published a list of three medical conditions for which omega 3 fish oils are highly recommended. These three conditions are hypertriglyceridaemia (high blood triglyceride levels), secondary cardiovascular disease, and hypertension (high blood pressure).

The American Heart Association also recommends the daily consumption of fish oil for patients with coronary heart disease.

Psyllium husk
Psyllium husk, also known as ispaghula husk, is a widely used source of soluble dietary fibre that is not absorbed via the small intestine. Psyllium husk, once ingested, works by absorbing excess water, subsequently softening the stools, and thereby, stimulating bowel elimination.

Psyllium husk is commonly used to relieve constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and also to improve and maintain regular gastrointestinal transit.

Recent research has also shown psyllium husk to be helpful in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has published research concluding that the use of soluble fibre cereals is an effective part of a prudent diet for the treatment of mild to moderately high cholesterol levels.
Research also indicates that psyllium incorporated into food products is effective at reducing blood glucose response.

The FDA has established a beneficial correlation where psyllium husk intake is associated with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease.

It has been found that psyllium’s soluble fibre, in conjunction with a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat, has the potential to reduce risk of coronary heart disease by decreasing the blood cholesterol levels.

n This article is courtesy of 21st Century.
Location: Singapore

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cholesterol: Top 5 foods to lower your numbers

Original Article:     http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002 Cholesterol: Top 5 foods to lower your numbers Diet can play an important role in lowering your cholesterol. Here are five foods that can lower your cholesterol and protect your heart. By Mayo Clinic staff Can a bowl of oatmeal help lower your cholesterol? How about a handful of walnuts or even a baked potato topped with some heart-healthy margarine? A few simple tweaks to your diet — like these — may be enough to lower your cholesterol to a healthy level and help you stay off medications. 1. Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, apples, pears, barley and prunes. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your total and LDL cholesterol. Eating 1 1/2
Read more

Check Here How Healthy Is Your Diet and Nutrients Sources

Image
Check Here How Healthy Is Your Diet and Nutrients Sources Check what do you eat regularly from the following lists and find what are missing in your diet; then correct the deficiency before you get sick. If you are in a hurry, check those nutrients with fewer lines first as they are the most scarce and more frequently missed. Those with plenty of sources have less chances of being low in your diet. It is strongly recommended to take foods instead of manufactured supplements; and limit the use of manufactured supplements to where your diet is deficient and you cannot correct it fast enough to meet the urgent needs of your body and health. (Foods are best sources of nutrients; while manufactured supplements are late second). Here are lists for 34 nutrients arranged in alphabetic order: biotin 1- WHAT FOODS PROVIDE BIOTIN? Swiss chard is a good source of biotin. calcium 2- WHAT FOODS PROVIDE CALCIUM? Excellent sources of calcium include spinach, turnip greens, must
Read more

ageLOC R2 – Renew Recharge

Image
ageLOC R2 (pronounced "R Squared"), which is developed using patent ageLOC technology,  is going to be available in Oct 2011. ageLOC is the only science that target the genetic level of aging.   It can  identify, target and reset our Young Gene Clusters and stop aging from its source. ageLOC R2 ageLOC R2 is the second supplement product that reset aging from inside of our body (ageLOC Vitality being the first in the world) . While Vitality targets the 52 Youth Gene Clusters that affect the brain, heart and muscles, R2 is targeted toward cell purification, and elimination of metabolic waste using natural plant compounds. R2 will have a specific effect on the inflammatory pathways It functions in two ways: ageLOC R2 RECHARGE and RENEW In the day time, ageLOC R2 recharge our physical energy, mental clarity, sexual drive and overall vitality. In the night, ageLOC R2 renew our body by detoxing and purify. With age, the cellular purification syst
Read more