Excessive cholesterol levels are associated
with cardiovascular problems leading to coronary failure.
New scientific findings may help to protect your health.
Since heart disease is the number one
killer in the industrialised world, medical researchers
are looking high and low for a cure. They list genetics,
life style, abnormal clotting factors, and high levels of
homocysteine and C-reactive protein as some 'usual suspects'
for cardiovascular problems. In addition, new studies link
bad germs and viruses like chlamydia, cytomegalovirus (CMV),
Helicobacter pylori, treponema, borrelia, mycoplasma, and
coxsackievirus with heart disease.
Though these new findings are important,
it is still necessary to keep your total blood cholesterol
and triglyceride levels within healthy ranges. If you don't
you face considerable risk of death from cardiovascular
disease. This is no small consideration. The average heart
bypass surgery costs US $50,000 and requires about six months
to recuperate. Thus, it's important to reduce high cholesterol
levels in the blood and arteries.
Here's the dilemma. While there are drugs
on the market to lower cholesterol, such medications can
bring serious side effects. The Physician's Desk Reference
warns pregnant women or people with liver or kidney disease
to avoid taking cholesterol lowering drugs (1995). Even
in healthy people, these substances often cause abdominal
pain, allergic reactions, emotional imbalances, hair loss,
changes in eyesight, headache, sore throat, and muscle cell
degeneration. Some patients report impotency and diminished
sex drive on such medication.
On top of this, steroids, diuretics, and
beta-blockers prescribed to control excessive blood pressure
often effect the proper ratio of good fat to bad fat in
the blood. Even drugs like levodopa used to treat Parkinson's
disease can be a problem. Fortunately, there's a safer way
to lower excessive cholesterol levels - a natural method
that does not carry such health risks and supports healthy
forces already in the body. But first, let's learn how reasonable
amounts of cholesterol are essential to your health.
Why You Need Some Cholesterol
Despite its outlaw reputation, cholesterol helps build cell
membranes and is found in every body cell, especially in
the brain, blood, liver and bile, and central nervous system.
In the healthy body about 80 % of all cholesterol is produced
in the liver. The other 20 % comes from your diet. But when
you consume too much fat in food, the normal healthy balance
of cholesterol is upset. Classified as a steroid, cholesterol
is needed in the manufacture of sex hormones and is also
important for food digestion. Without it, the normal metabolic
processes burning fats and fat-soluble vitamins would not
happen.
Cholesterol is carried through the blood
to body cells by special protein molecules known as lipoproteins.
High density lipoproteins (HDLs) carry only a little cholesterol
and are considered desirable because they remove excess
cholesterol from the blood and tissues and return it to
the liver. HDL cholesterol is either once again incorporated
into LDL cholesterol for delivery to body cells or it is
removed by body excretions through the digestive tract.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) carry large amounts of cholesterol
from the liver to all body cells and are considered undesirable,
especially in high amounts.
Medical science dose not fully understand
how lipoproteins do their job in the body. What is known
is that high HDL levels with low levels of LDL are linked
to lower risk of heart disease. High LDL levels and low
HDL levels are associated with a higher risk of coronary
heart disease.
If you have an established cholesterol
problem or early heart disease, your doctor will probably
check for other fatty substances called triglycerides. These
common dietary fats also carry a risk factor for heart disease.
To better control levels of these harmful fats, let nature
take its true course.
Beneficial Bacteria To The Rescue
In the normal, healthy body, probiotic or 'pro-life' organisms
live through the digestive tract. These lactobacillus and
bifidobacteria live side by side with 600 species of microorganisms
in the mouth and 400 species in the small and large intestines.
Not only do these good flora promote food digestion, optimize
nutrient absorption, and help process bile, lactobacillus
bacteria also balance cholesterol levels in blood.
Recent medical studies at the Shinshu University in Japan
find that Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria can suppress
the reabsorption in the liver of bile acids carrying cholesterol
and improve the removal of cholesterol from blood through
stool excretion. (Hosono 2000). In another study in Argentina,
lactobacillus bacteria were found to lower total blood cholesterol
by 22 percent and triglycerides by 33 percent (Taranto 1999).
A research report from Denmark published
in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes that
lactobacillus bacteria significantly lowered blood pressure
in men and women 18 to 55 years of age after eight weeks
of supplementation (Agerholm-Larsen 2000). Those in the
control group not receiving lactobacillus bacteria had no
reduction in their high blood pressure. Such scientific
evidence provides valuable insight toward reducing the risk
of unhealthy cholesterol levels associated with heart disease.
Replace Beneficial Flora
We are born with beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract,
but we lose significant amounts through stool excretion
each day. Antibiotics, alcohol, caffeine, certain herbs,
stress, and the aging process also reduce these good organisms
in the body.
For this reason Dr. Frederic Vagnini,
M.D. Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Wellness and
Longevity Centers of New York says probiotic supplementation
is a wise strategy for optimal cardiovascular health. Author
of The New York Times best selling book, The Carbohydrate
Addict's Healthy Heart Program (2000), Dr Vagnini says beneficial
bacteria consumed on a regular basis help keep cholesterol
levels within healthy ranges. Food absorption and liver
functions improve. Also, probiotic supplements offer a safer
way to clean up excess cholesterol without the side effects
of cholesterol-lowering drugs.
How to Select A Probiotic
Heat destroys the power of a reliable beneficial bacteria
product. Make certain the outlet you shop at addresses refrigeration
matters of beneficial bacteria. To retain full potency and
health benefits, store your probiotics at temperatures under
80 degrees. If you buy direct make sure the beneficial bacteria
product is shipped in temperature controlled packages to
insure full potency.
Some people think they can get enough
beneficial bacteria from a soured milk product like kefir
or yoghurt. But here again quality control is often lacking.
These bacterial cultures may not be the proper beneficial
strain of microorganism needed by your intestine.
When shopping, make certain the bacterial
strains are listed on the bottle. These super strains have
the greatest possibility in lowering blood cholesterol:
Lactobacillus acidophilus (DDS-1 and NAS super strains),
Bifidobacteria bifidum (Malyoth super strain), and Lactobacillus
bulgaricus (LB-51 super strain).
To save money, some manufacturers use
cheese or soil bacteria cultures in place of the true probiotic
strains that can provide real health benefits. While such
products cost less, don't expect the same results. Buy a
reliable brand of supplemental probiotics stating the super
strains of the bacteria because the concentration will be
stronger and the potency issue more fully addressed on bottle
labels.
Also, do not accept vague potency claims
with an asterisk (*) that read "potency guaranteed
at the time of manufacture," "shipment,"
or "consumption." Be sure the probiotic supplement
you buy guarantees 100 percent potency right up to the printed
expiration date including the bacterial strain. If you so
not give yourself the benefit of such quality in a beneficial
bacteria supplement, you are wasting your money on a product
that probably can not deliver the health results you want.
Change and Improve Your Lifestyle
Losing weight, cutting out "bad fat" choices,
adding whole grains, fresh fruits, and lots of leafy green
and yellow vegetables will also help get your HDL and LDL
ratios within healthy ranges. Avoid oils processed at high
heat levels and stay away from hydrogenated fats if you
want to lower your triglyceride levels.
Introduce some mild, regular physical
activity into your daily routine. Exercise such as brisk
walking, bicycling, raking leaves, or gardening will help
burn calories as well. Remember to increase your physical
activity on a gradual basis. If you are over 50 or have
any health problems consult your doctor first.
Speed up the cholesterol balancing
process by adding supplemental beneficial bacteria to your
daily diet. Combined with a change in diet, these friendly
bacteria can help lower your total cholesterol and reduce
amounts of the "bad" LDL cholesterol as plaque
in your arteries. Then, you'll have a better chance to beat
the odds against cardiovascular disease!
