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Cholesterol
Problems
By
Dr. S. M. Alam
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Cholesterol (G.chole, bile and
stereos solid) is a white crystalline fatty alcohol
(C27H45OH) occurring abundantly in animal fats, blood
stream and nerves tissue, bile and gallstones. A high
level of cholesterol in the blood does not have obvious
symptoms, like obesity, diabetes, and impotence.
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Cholesterol is a paradox.
Everyone needs it, but having it too much, can prove to
be fatal. A naturally occurring fat; cholesterol performs
functions which are vital to the body such as cell building,
insulating nerves, and producing hormones. The liver makes
all the cholesterol the body normally needs, but because
this substance is found in all animal products, one gets
a new stock of it whenever a person eats meat and dairy
foods. For people genetically predisposed to cholesterol
problems, a diet high in saturated fats is the chief cause
of high cholesterol levels.
There are two basic types of cholesterol – HDL and
LDL – high and low density lipoproteins, respectively.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a larger, less dense
particle that tends to remain in the body. Excessive amounts
of LDL cholesterol can overload the circulatory system
and it can leave deposits in blood vessels that eventually
block them and lead to heart disease. Hereditary play
a part in having or not having cholesterol. If we have
a predisposition to cholesterol and eat a heavy saturated
fat diet, we are more likely to have cholesterol and the
related diseases. A laboratory test to determine the blood
cholesterol level is now a routine part of most physical
checkups.
Traditional Treatment. The doctors, pharmacists
as well as many health professionals always advise to
adopt a diet low in fat and cholesterol, lose weight,
exercise regularly, and quit smoking. There are cholesterol
reducing drugs available however, these are expensive
and can produce serious side effects.
Alternative Treatments. Therapists also offer an
alternative range of natural ways to control the cholesterol
levels. All can be pursued independently, many in conjunction
with drug therapy. Traditional Chinese healers treat various
forms of chronic heart disease, along with factors like
high cholesterol, a herbal therapy that uses polygonum
(Polygonum multiflorum). One should get professional advice
for an appropriate prescription. A highly valued remedy
for fighting high cholesterol-lowering properties include
alfalfa (Medicago sativa), turmeric (Curcuma longa), Asian
ginseng (Panax ginseng), and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum).
Dietary Considerations. It is necessary to avoid
saturated fats and dietary cholesterol. High fat foods
to avoid include butter, cheese, whole milk, ice cream
and fatty meats. Experts recommend a diet with between
30 and 20 percent of our daily calories from fat. Animal
fat should be avoided. We should eat more vegetables,
fruits, and grains, which are cholesterol free, virtually
fat free, and rich in fiber. Garlic and onion are believed
to lower cholesterol.
Prevention. One should watch the weight, eat wisely,
exercise regularly, and not smoke. Get the cholesterol
checked regularly and monitor the progress, to replace
the saturated fats that are solid at room temperature,
with olive or grape seed oil. Eating moderate amounts
of such foods as nuts, seeds, and avocados may actually
lower LDL cholesterol. Eating grapes may help reduce blood
cholesterol. It is advisable not to eat too many eggs
per week as one egg yolk contains almost an entire daily
recommended allowance of cholesterol. Vitamins, minerals,
and nutrients that have reputed cholesterol-reducing properties
include vitamins E, C, and A (beta carotene), zinc. To
add rice, bran, artichokes, shiitake mushrooms, and chili
peppers, fresh fruits, leafy green vegetables, fish, skinless
chicken to your salads and foods as these all may help
lower cholesterol. |
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Mind
Over Muscle
About 30% of bypass patients suffer from
what doctors call “pump head,” a mental fog
that physicians have long blamed on the heart-lung machine.
The device pumps blood through the body when surgeons
stop the heart in order to operate on it. Lately doctors
have tried to avoid the problem by performing more bypasses
on the heart while it is still beating. When researchers
compared such “off pump” patients to those
who have been on the heart-lung machine, however, they
found no difference in memory, attention and motor skills
one year after surgery.
Diabettes Epidemic
Just because you’ve never tested positive for diabetes
doesn’t mean you’re O.K. AU.S. government
study reports that a record 17 million Americans have
diabetes and nearly 16 million have a condition scientists
are calling pre-diabetes. The condition is reversible
with weight loss and exercise, which is why the government
is urging middle-aged Americans to get screened.
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