High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is an essential substance used to make bile, hormones, vitamin D, cell membranes and to support the immune system.
Dietary cholesterol contributes about 20-30% of the total blood levels, the majority is made by the liver.
There are several types, including:
- Total
- High density lipoprotein or HDL
- Low density lipoprotein or LDL
- Triglycerides ... fats carried in the blood resulting from the foods we eat. Triglycerides are stored in fat cells throughout the body.
The medical term for high blood cholesterol is lipid disorder, hyperlipidemia, or hypercholesterolemia.
Hyperlipidemia means your blood has too many lipids (or fats).
Very low fat diets decrease the absorption of fat soluble vitamins, cause fatigue, depression and aggression, as well as increased endogenous production.
What Causes High Cholesterol?
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- Metabolic syndrome
- High calorie and high refined sugar intake
- Stress and release of stress hormones
- Hypothyroidism
- Constipation
- Liver congestion
- Gallbladder blockages
- Dysbiosis
- Menopause
- Stimulants
- Lack of exercise
Nutrition for High Cholesterol
- Increase consumption of fresh garlic, onions, walnuts, almonds, celery
- Increase fibre
- Eat an alkalinizing diet
- Increase dark leafy greens and other chlorophyll rich foods
- Eat cold water fish
- Take apple pectin
- Drink pure filtered water
- Drink green tea
- Eat foods containing lipotropin factors (choline, methionine and inositol)
- Avoid pro-inflammatory foods
- Avoid foods to which you are sensitive
- Avoid refined foods and simple carbohydrates
- Avoid stimulants and carbonated beverages
- Avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners
- Eliminate trans and hydrogenated fats
Lifestyle Factors for High Cholesterol
- Maintain consistent, frequent exercise including meditative forms such as yoga. tai chi or qi gong
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce stress and practice stress management techniques
- Practice deep breathing exercises
- Get ample, regular, good quality sleep
- Get ample safe exposure to sunlight
- Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke and other pollutants
- Laugh
