Prescription Drugs Versus Natural Diets To Lower Cholesterol Levels

These myths can be listed thus:-
Cholesterol is not as bad as many have made it out to be. It is needed by the body to produce hormones such as testesterone and estrogen.
Bad cholesterol in the system does not necessarily lead to heart disease. Other mental and physical factors such as stress, exercise or body weight can be the cause of elevated bad cholesterol in the blood.
High cholesterol is not responsible for arteriosclerosis, the condition when plaque (comprising hardened cholesterol) begins to form and attach itself to the walls of blood vessels.
No particular diet can reduce bad cholesterol as the body produces much more bad cholesterol than any food can deal with.
Heavy consumption of animal fat as a result of meat consumption will not cause arteriosclerosis, so that consuming animal fat will not bring about heart disease.
Cholesterol management drugs do not lead to the increased mortality of persons consuming them and
Cholesterol management drugs do have certain side effects which can be effectively managed with other drugs and one has to find the drugs that are best suited by trial and error.

The cholesterol management drug market is a US$16 Billion market. It is therefore not surprising that some money will be spent promoting these drugs in the best light. There is also a huge market for those drugs that will treat with the side effects. The main side effects that have been documented include cancer risk, general weakness, immune system suppression, and muscle and kidney damage.

It is worth taking a little time to list the range of side effects that statin drugs have on the human body as reported. The first major side effect is the effect that the drug has on the liver. After a while the liver does not function as it should. This does happen in a small fraction of users and the physician has to take specific blood tests on a regular basis to monitor this problem. The next major side effect is called myopathy which is a condition where the muscle tissue is affected. Great pain is experienced and if the drugs are continued there is a condition called rhabdomyolysis which develops that can result in death.

Taking statin drugs with other drugs can also be very dangerous. A combination of statins with antibiotics or anti-fungals have been known to present many problems for the body. Taking grapefruit juice together statins is a definite no-no. This combination actually increases cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.

Statin drugs have also been reported to affect one's ability to concentrate, to remember and to think. They have also been known to induce depression. Statins have been reported to cause recurring headaches, joint pain, abdominal pain, numbness and tingling in one's hands and feet.

Other side effects reported include sleep problems, dizziness, a sense of detachment, swelling, shortness of breath, changes in vision, weight change, hunger, breast enlargement, blood sugar changes, dry skin, rashes, blood pressure changes, nausea, upset stomach, bleeding and ring in the ears.

The other aspect of these drugs are that they are quite expensive and not affordable to the common man. Companies claim that they have to reclaim their research and development outlay and that is why prices are so high.

Natural Super-Foods With No Side Effects.

There are a number of natural super-foods that if consumed regularly will lead to lower cholesterol level with absolutely no side effects. These foods in alphabetical order include almonds, apples, artichokes, avocadoes, beans, carrots, chocolates, oats, olive oil, onions, popcorn and fatty fish. There are a number of natural supplements that have been found to be very effective so much so that the drug manufacturers are using them in their next generation of cholesterol management drugs.

As always you must check with your physician before changing your diet program.

Nigel Gittens is a writer and researcher on Nutrition. For more great information on lower cholesterol, visit http://www.lowercholesterolstrategies.com/

Original article

Only Good Cholesterol Diets Lower Cholesterol

The idea is to stop eating those foods that increase cholesterol and only eat those foods that dismantle, mop up and expel bad cholesterol from the body. Only good cholesterol diets lower cholesterol.

Foods that are rich in saturated fats, trans-fats, sugars, salt and white flour are the foods that increase these cholesterol deposits in the bloodstream. These deposits then attach themselves to the walls of the blood vessels causing dangerous blockages to occur.

Foods that are rich in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, cereals, ground provision, peas and beans - these foods have the ability to neutralize the effect of bad cholesterol by absorbing or mopping up these fats and trans-fats, build strength in the walls of the blood vessels to protect from further erosion.

Low cholesterol foods also have low calorific value and also aid in any weight loss program. They are rich in vitamins and minerals which are vital for the proper functioning of the body. These foods also reduce the risk of cancer, high blood pressure and because of its anti-arteriosclerotic activity they reduce the risk of heart disease.

There is a great debate going as to whether lean meat is a source of good cholesterol. Some people say that such meats as chicken, turkey, fish, lean red meat, are sources of low cholesterol and they contain much essential minerals, proteins, vitamins and micronutrients that are good for efficient metabolism. The problem with meat today is that it is filled with hormones and in the case of fish, mercury toxins. Meat is not low in calorific value and over time makes one obese. The obesity problem in America is mainly due to the consumption of meat.

Here then is a sample of a diet for low cholesterol which you can use for breakfast lunch and dinner:-

Breakfast - Soy milk, oat bran cereal with fruit and almonds, oat meal bread, olive oil.

Lunch - Soy cold cuts, oat bran bread, bean soup and fruit

Dinner - Stir-fry vegetables, fruit, nuts.

This type of diet will ensure low cholesterol if followed over time. Also of great importance is the consumption of large quantities of pure water and a daily exercise program.

The following are some more general guidelines that will serve one in good stead:-
As a general rule you should eat more foods that increase the level of good cholesterol such as garlic, fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods and fibrous foods,
If you are a fish eater, eat those fatty fishes because of their omega-3 fatty acid content. These are mackerel, salmon, herring and tuna fish.
Your good cholesterol foods must be rich in antioxidants and nutrients - vitamin C, beta carotene (vitamin A), vitamin E and selenium. All fresh fruit, dried fruit and vegetables will supply these.
Consume 2-3 liters of pure water daily. This will flush out toxins and remove bad cholesterol.
Consumption of saturated fats in the form of animal fats should be avoided. These contain lots of bad cholesterol. If this is to be consumed, it should be with fibers and water,
Increase your intake of unsaturated fats such as olive oil, almonds, nuts and unrefined vegetable oils. These prevent cardiovascular diseases and some kinds of cancers,
Decrease or eliminate the use of foods that decrease the level of good cholesterol such as margarines, butter and sunflower oil. Replace with white vinegar, olive oil and canola oil,
If you are to consume alcohol, limit it to two glasses of wine or beer a day. These are particularly rich in antioxidants and help in the production of good cholesterol.

All this advice should confirmed with your health professional before embarking on same.

Nigel Gittens is a writer and researcher on Nutrition. For more great information on lower cholesterol, visit http://www.lowercholesterolstrategies.com/

Original article