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Cholesterol
The higher density proteins are called 'good' HDL (high density lipoproteins) and the lower density proteins are 'bad' LDL (low density lipoproteins). But, the LDL is really not the 'bad' cholesterol as it's reputed to be. The original LDL in our body that God created is good and necessary for building cell membranes, other cell parts, and a variety of essential hormones. In fact, it is also necessary to ensure that babies born have exactly five fingers on each hand. Note this: The problems start when free radicals enter our body to oxidize these LDLs, turning it to 'bad'. It is NOT the high cholesterol level that is responsible for heart disease. It is the inflammation (oxidation) of the blood that is the culprit. Research has revealed that half of heart patients have normal cholesterol levels at the time of attack. It is this inflammation and other factors that contribute to the arterial plaque build-up and hardening of the arteries, leading to heart attacks, strokes, and aneurysms. People with high and consistent intake of natural anti-oxidants can maintain a healthy cholesterol condition, as anti-oxidants help neutralize free radicals, preventing them from damaging tissues. Myth # 1: Egg yolk has high cholesterol. A study was done to a group of healthy people with normal blood cholesterol levels. Each were given two eggs a day as part of their normal diet for eight weeks. At the end of the study, the results showed no increase in blood cholesterol level at all. Myth # 2: Low cholesterol is good news. Studies in Japan found that while high levels of cholesterol are associated with heart diseases, low levels actually contributed to strokes. They also found that when cholesterol levels dip, rates of depression, suicide and violence rose!
Symptoms of Inflamed Cholesterol This condition is usually silent and attacks quietly when it is too late. Sufferers would not know that their cholesterol is at an unhealthy level unless they do a blood test. The plaque build-up in arteries caused by inflammation of the blood cholesterol will lead to hardening of arteries. Other conditions that may arise around this unhealthy environment are angina, diabetes, high blood pressure, and myocardial infarction.
Causes of Inflamed Cholesterol Many people still do not understand that this condition is actually an inflammation of the blood, where the blood cholesterol gets oxidized by free radicals, smoking or excessive consumption of trans-fatty acids or triglycerides. The higher the level of LDL cholesterol, the higher the risk of oxidation, which led researchers to report that higher cholesterol = higher risk of heart diseases. Free radicals are the main culprit in oxidizing the cholesterols, making them inflamed. They cannot be avoided as they are everywhere around us, especially if we live in the urban area. Free radicals are quickly formed in our daily city-living through stress, overwork and tired body, excess sunlight, water or air pollution, antibiotics, growth hormones in animal products, pesticides, herbicides, coffee, and many more. Not only will the existence of these harmful elements cause damage to the body, The non-consumption of the much needed anti-oxidants also play a contributing part.
Diet/Lifestyle Suggestions Wise nutrition is the best way to maintain a healthy cholesterol condition. By this, it would mean changing your lifestyle, know what foods to avoid, and what to take more of. To start with, take up exercise to lose some weight (but beware, excessive stressful exercise also contributes to oxidation of your blood cholesterol). Limit your intake of saturated fats, such as from meats or dairy products. Instead, take more of monounsaturated fats from olive oil or canola oil. Stay away from fried food because of the transfatty acids that speed up the oxidation on your healthy cholesterol. Devour fruits and vegetables for not only the fiber, but also for the abundance of anti-oxidants and nutrients that help neutralize free radicals. Also increase consumption of omega-3 fatty acids that can be found in flaxseed oil, salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, etc. Favor vitamin B12 which
can be found in leafy greens, wheat germ, beans, skim yogurt, lamb,
turkey liver and most fish. Vitamin E helps to improve circulation
and vitamin C that also helps fight carcinogens. If you want to take supplements, always go for quality herbal and safe product, such as Cholesto-Rite that does not contain 'statins' that may lead to tumors.
Other foods to include in
your dietary: banana, avocado, prunes, raisins, mushrooms, bilberries,
blackberries, lentils, brewer's yeast, algae, peanuts, brewer's yeast,
onions, eggplant, sesame seeds, etc. Finally, quit smoking.
Need we say more?
If you are highly exposed to the causes of free radicals, increase your anti-oxidant intake that can be found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. When you're not juicing, eat these whole. Aim to include all these suggested foods in at least half of your food intakes daily.
There are so many fruits and vegetables
that are rich in anti-oxidants. Not all are listed here. But
the highest amount are derived from berries. The following are
best combination of high anti-oxidant foods. Also, add two or three cloves of garlic to each of your recipes where possible.
If you are a beginner to juicing, use two ribs of celery, half a stalk of spinach and two carrots. Once you get more familiar, reduce to one carrot and increase on the spinach.
Take a handful of any of these "berry healthy" berries for their high content of anti-oxidants. Juice them all together. You might want to dilute them with some coconut water, if you can find coconut where you are. Or mix with some other melon juices as these berries' juice may be a bit concentrated.
Each of these has high anti-oxidant content in their respective food groups. A great combination in neutralizing free radicals. Take a small bunch of kale and half a medium-sized floret of broccoli, and one or two slices of watermelon. Cut them into small pieces and juice.
Both alfalfa sprouts and bean sprouts have very high anti-oxidant contents. The juices of these three vegetables are mild but beginners may still find it unpalatable. Use a handful bunch of each of these and juice them. Because of the string-like alfalfa and bean sprouts, they tend to trap air within them, creating a lot of froth in the output. These can only be juiced using either a single-gear or twin-gear juicers. Use a screen filter when you juice this recipe.
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