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The ABC’s of Heart Health - Arteries, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol!
C is for cholesterol— don’t ignore this important heart health risk factor
Quick, can you name the best selling class of prescription medicine? If you said statin drugs like Lipitor® and Crestor® you are correct.
These statin drugs work by blocking the production of cholesterol in the liver, which lowers LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol and slightly raises HDL (the “good”) cholesterol. But here’s the problem … these drugs are laden with side effects and are now proven to pose potentially life-threatening risks. Of course, the reason doctors prescribe so many statin drugs is because elevated cholesterol levels are a risk factor for heart disease. There are three cholesterol measurements you need to understand in order to plot your best course of action with regard to reducing your cardiovascular risk.
- Total cholesterol—this is the most common measure of blood cholesterol. Often it’s the only number you get from your doctor. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). A total cholesterol reading less than 200 mg/dL means a lower risk of heart disease. Any reading over 200 is considered high cholesterol and an urgent risk factor for heart disease.
- HDL cholesterol—this is the “good” cholesterol that helps carry cholesterol out of the body. If there is too much cholesterol for the HDLs to pick up, or an inadequate supply of HDLs, cholesterol may aggregate into plaque groups that block arteries. Remember, when it comes to HDL cholesterol, higher is healthier. A reading of less than 40 is low, at or greater than 60 is high.
- LDL cholesterol—this is the “bad” cholesterol that hauls cholesterol from the liver to all cells in the body. For those at risk of Cardiovascular Disease the lower you get your LDL, the better. A reading of less than 100 is optimal; 100-129 is near or above optimal; 130-159, borderline high; 160-189, high; 190 or greater is very high.
If you want to protect your cardiovascular system, controlling your cholesterol levels is important. If you want to avoid the risk (and expense!) of statin drugs, consider the following healthy cholesterol supporting supplements.
- Ashwagandha—Lowers blood glucose, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL (bad cholesterol).20
- EDTA Oral Chelation—Lowers cholesterol by removing toxins from the blood and liver, allowing for better HDL production.21
- Emblica Extract—Reduces LDL (bad cholesterol) through its powerful cholesterol regulating and multi-faceted antioxidant properties.22
- Omega-3 fatty acids—Long chain fatty acids found in fish oil can balance cholesterol levels.23
- Policosanol—Regulates the production of the cholesterol-producing enzyme to more favorable levels and enhances the body’s ability to remove and process LDL cholesterol from the blood and cells.24
Understanding cholesterol and knowing your cholesterol levels is the first step to reducing the risk elevated cholesterol plays in your health. If you are diagnosed with high cholesterol, you may first want to give the supplements listed a try (particularly policosanol!) before embarking on statin drug therapy.
ABC’s easy as 123
As you can see, heart health is important, but it need not be complicated. There are natural substances that have been in use for thousands of years to protect the heart and circulatory system.
For the most part, these supplements are side effect-free and, when taken on a regular basis, can keep your heart functioning at an optimal level.
Now is the time to take action. Heart health is as easy as ABC—Arteries, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol.
Taking care of these important functions now is a wise investment in your health, particularly when compared to the cost of the expensive alternatives offered by the medical establishment. Know your ABC’s and take care of them and your heart will take care of you!
Editor's Note:
The natural health solutions described in this article are available through many on-line retailers including those listed below. By clicking these links you help support the important alternative health research we provide.
Visit www.amazon.com – a great way to find competitive deals on supplements offered by many different manufacturers.
Visit www.hfn-usa.com – when commitment to quality and freshness is important, this factory direct solution is preferred by many of our readers.
This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a physician before embarking on a dietary supplement program.
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