| Living with high cholesterol symptoms | | | | vitamins that your body may be lacking. |
| isn't easy, or fun, especially if your | | | | One of the best things that you can to |
| doctor has put you on a special diet. | | | | do lower cholesterol is to quit smoking |
| High cholesterol is a condition that can | | | | and decrease the amount of fatty foods |
| eventually lead to high blood pressure, | | | | in your diet. |
| heart attack, and stroke. When people | | | | Nutritional Supplements to Lower |
| speak of high cholesterol numbers, | | | | Cholesterol( |
| they're referring to the concentrations | | | | As with anything, talk to your doctor or |
| of HDL or LDL cholesterol in the blood. | | | | health care provider if you are |
| Why Worry about High Cholesterol( | | | | considering natural vitamins, minerals |
| Maintaining a normal cholesterol level | | | | or herbs to help lower cholesterol, and |
| is important for optimal health. While | | | | don't discontinue any medications he has |
| cholesterol is needed for normal body | | | | prescribed. Studies have shown that the |
| function, too much of it causes damage | | | | use of Vitamin B3, or niacin, has helped |
| to arteries and blood vessels. | | | | to lower cholesterol, especially LDL |
| Cholesterol builds up on artery walls | | | | cholesterol, while at the same time |
| like a plaque and blocks the flow of | | | | increasing high cholesterol numbers for |
| oxygenated blood to necessary tissues | | | | HDL, the good stuff. Niacin is available |
| and organs. There are two main types of | | | | in both dietary supplement forms as well |
| cholesterol: HDL (high-density | | | | as by prescription from your doctor. |
| lipoproteins) and LDL (low-density | | | | However, be advised that the American |
| lipoproteins). HDL is considered "good" | | | | Heart Association recommends that |
| cholesterol. It serves to keep arteries | | | | patients use the prescribed form of |
| open by ridding the blood of excess | | | | niacin, so ask your doctor about that. |
| cholesterol that would otherwise form | | | | Another natural ingredient that has |
| plaque in our arteries. | | | | shown to lower cholesterol is artichoke |
| High Cholesterol Symptoms and Numbers | | | | leaf extract, as it reduces the |
| But what exactly is high cholesterol? | | | | formation of cholesterol in the body. |
| Normal cholesterol levels hover around | | | | Still other natural ingredients such as |
| 200 mg/dL or under. If your cholesterol | | | | oat, barley and rye fiber, as well as |
| reading is anywhere from 200 to 239, you | | | | peas and beans, may help to prevent |
| should consider finding ways to lower | | | | life-threatening high cholesterol |
| cholesterol, and if that number goes | | | | symptoms. Including at least 10 grams of |
| over 240 then high cholesterol symptoms | | | | fiber in your diet on a daily basis is a |
| will probably be very noticeable and | | | | good way to naturally protect your heart |
| should be dealt with as a matter of | | | | and to ensure that your LDL levels |
| urgency. A high reading for HDL is good, | | | | remain low. |
| because it indicates that levels are | | | | A well balanced, nutritious diet, in |
| productive in removing the bad | | | | addition to adequate amounts of exercise |
| cholesterol from your blood. A normal | | | | will go a long way to lower cholesterol |
| cholesterol reading for HDL is 60 or | | | | in those whose blood tests show mild to |
| above. If it's 40 or below, it means | | | | moderate increases in LDL levels. On |
| there's not enough HDL in your blood and | | | | occasion, doctors may prescribe |
| you may be considered at 'risk' from | | | | medication to alleviate high cholesterol |
| high cholesterol symptoms( and of stroke | | | | symptoms, but this often takes time. Try |
| or heart attack. | | | | going the natural route first, and if |
| There are no truly obvious high | | | | that doesn't work, then consider other |
| cholesterol symptoms, except when levels | | | | options. Using natural supplements and |
| get dangerously high, and to determine | | | | foods will provide your body with the |
| if your cholesterol is high, the best | | | | safest methods to lower cholesterol, as |
| way is to have a simple blood test | | | | well as saving you money on |
| performed by your doctor or health care | | | | prescriptions. Ask your doctor and see |
| provider. The best way you can treat | | | | if you both can't come up with a |
| high cholesterol or lower cholesterol | | | | treatment plan for your high cholesterol |
| readings is to change your diet and | | | | that will serve you best. |
| perhaps take herbal supplements and | | | | |