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