Cholesterol: the Good and the Bad

When you get your cholesterol levels checked, our Practitioner will
be interested in two main types of cholesterol: high density
lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol. HDL is essentially the ‘good’ form of cholesterol while
LDL is the ‘bad’ form of cholesterol. If the ratio of HDL:LDL is out of balance (i.e. not enough HDL, too much LDL), this puts you at
increased risk of heart disease.

Our Practitioner can identify if you have unhealthy
cholesterol levels and prescribe specific natural
supplements to restore balance between the good
and bad types of cholesterol.

Five Simple Steps to Lowering Cholesterol

Diet and lifestyle changes must form the foundation of any
cholesterol lowering plan.

1. Follow a cholesterol lowering eating plan. Important dietary
changes to improve your general cardiovascular health include:
. Eliminate damaging trans fats found in fast foods, fried foods
and baked goods. Trans fats increase your risk of developing
heart disease by increasing the ‘bad’ cholesterol.
. Reduce your saturated fat intake by consuming only lean
meats. Too much saturated fat can cause weight gain and
increase your cholesterol.
. Increase the amount of good fats you eat from cold water fish,
nuts and seeds.
. Follow the principles of the Mediterranean diet which is rich in
fresh fish, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil
and garlic. People following the Mediterranean diet have the
lowest rates of cardiovascular disease in the world.
. Cut down on sugar in your diet. Soft drinks, fruit juices and
processed foods frequently contain ‘hidden sugars’. When
there is an over-supply of sugar the body converts this to fat
which negatively affects cholesterol balance.

2. Lose weight. If you are overweight, weight loss is an essential
part of reducing your cholesterol levels. If you need to lose
weight, our Practitioner can support you with a clinically-proven,
specialised weight loss program.

3. Get moving. Daily physical activity is vital for improving
cardiovascular health, stabilising cholesterol levels and for weight
maintenance.

4. Adopt a healthy lifestyle. It is also important that you also
address factors such as stress and smoking, as these can increase
your risk of cardiovascular disease. Talk to our Practitioner if you
need help managing stress or quitting cigarette smoking.

5. Supportive supplements from the natural dispensary.
As well as the dietary and lifestyle strategies already suggested, the
following Natural Medicines may also help prevent and/or treat high
cholesterol:
. Krill Oil -Krill oil is a valuable source of essential fatty acids,
antioxidants and phospholipids which have been shown to be
effective in reducing cholesterol. This source of essential fatty
acids can help to correct the balance of ‘good’ and ‘bad’
cholesterol and reduce inflammation, making krill oil a vital
nutrient for keeping your heart healthy.
. Sugar Cane Wax Sterols -Sugar cane wax sterols (or
policosanols) are nature’s answer for mildly elevated
cholesterol. Sugar cane wax sterols help reduce LDL cholesterol
and increase HDL cholesterol. Start Making Changes Today!

Start making changes today!
It is never too late to improve your health, and the simple dietary
and lifestyle modifications outlined here, along with appropriate
supplementation, can add years to your life and life to your years!

Discuss your cholesterol levels with our Practitioner today!

  *This is a copy of Wellness Review(monthly news letter)
by Metagenics