Diabetes and high cholesterol separately are dangerous enough. Their mix could be absolutely fatal. High cholesterol contributes to diabetes and vice-versa.

There are two types of diabetes:

• Diabetes Type 1 – In this type of diabetes, our pancreas stop producing insulin. Diabetes 1 is less common as Diabetes Type 2.
• Diabetes Type 2 – In this condition, typically pancreas do produce sufficient amount of insulin, but our body cells fail to use insulin in proper manner. Most of the diabetic patients worldwide suffer from Diabetes Types 2. Figures show that nearly 90% of diabetics have Diabetes Type 2.

As of now, there is no cure for Diabetes Type 1. However, by taking certain precautionary measures, patients that have been diagnosed with this type of diabetes can prevent heart failure.

• Adhere to a diabetic diet
• Exercise regularly
• Check your blood sugar levels at regular intervals
• Follow the instructions if taking insulin injections
• Visit your doctor regularly

Rosuvastatin, a statin drug that lowers the blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase was approved by the FDA for treatment of the following:

• high triglycerides levels
• high cholesterol levels
• high LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) levels

Rosuvastatin is used in over 150 countries and is sold under different brand names. New researches show that this drug could also be useful in treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

New Indication for Rosuvastatin are approved

Increase in heart diseases in recent years and ever-growing inclination toward an inactive lifestyle has given cholesterol a bad name. But is this imposition correct? Well… the answer is both Yes and No. Our body requires certain amount of cholesterol to function normally. However, presence of more than required cholesterol in the body spells Trouble, with capital T. Common factors that lead to high cholesterol levels include:

• Consumption of red meat, fatty foods, and eggs in huge quantity
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity

Excess of cholesterol is bad; more so for heart. High blood cholesterol levels increases the risk of heart-related diseases. This happens because bad cholesterol, known as Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) congests our arteries, hindering the smooth flow of blood within the body. Exercise is a natural way through which we can prevent such a situation from developing.

Regular exercise reduces the risk of developing heart-related diseases by:

• Reducing the level of triglycerides in the blood.
• Increasing the level of good cholesterol, known as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood.

Did you know that cholesterol is found in each and every body cell?

Yes that is right. Our body requires cholesterol to perform essential functions, including:

• Maintain cell membranes
• Produce Vitamin D
• Perform hormone synthesis normally

The human body has the ability to produce the required amount of cholesterol to perform these functions. Additional cholesterol that comes into our body due to consumption of food can cause the cholesterol levels to rise alarmingly, especially when the diet is improper.

Cholesterol is of two types: good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). High levels of LDL, causes fat to deposit on the arteries, preventing them from transferring blood properly. Congestion of arteries restricts the delivery of oxygen to various body parts, making the affected person more susceptible to heart attack, coronary heart diseases, and arteriosclerosis. 

Did you know that out of every five teenagers in the United States, one teenager has at minimum one risk factor associated with the development of heart disease?

The data collected by the Centre of Prevention of Diseases confirm the above statistics. Not only this, studies conducted by the Centre of Prevention of Diseases also confirm that nearly one-fifth of the teenagers in the United States have one of the three problems listed below:

• Low good cholesterol (High Density Lipoprotein)
• High bad cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein)
• High triglycerides

All these three conditions can lead to heart-related problems in future.

Today, the term ‘Cholesterol’ figures repeatedly in health discussions, health articles, and health forums. The reason for this is this is not hard to comprehend. Cholesterol is a major cause of myriad of health problems, such as obesity, heart-related diseases, and high blood pressure. But is all cholesterol in the body bad? Not really.

Cholesterol is of two types: good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). Cholesterol is an essential component required by human body to function normally. While certain amount of cholesterol in our body is essential, it is the presence of excessive amount of bad cholesterol, or LDL in the body that is undesirable and cause of various health problems.

How excessive LDL affects blood flow

Cholesterol is a lipid substance. When the levels of LDL are more than normal, LDL builds up in the arterial walls. As a result of which our arteries become clogged and are not able to transfer blood smoothly.

Is cholesterol really the ‘axis of evil’ it has been made out to be, or truth about cholesterol has been somewhat conveniently sidelined in the mad rush to put a blame on something for astronomical increase in the cardiovascular diseases in recent years.

If you were to ask what cholesterol is, most folks will unequivocally reply that it is a bad substance.  Whoever is to blame for this incomplete knowledge about cholesterol, it is about time we learn the complete truth about it.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a lipid substance that our body requires to perform essential functions, such as building and maintaining cell membranes, hormone production, Vitamin D production et al. There is nothing bad in this, is it?

So, what gives cholesterol the bad name? While, it is true that our body requires cholesterol in certain amounts, it is also correct that presence of cholesterol in more than normal quantity is seriously detrimental to our health.

Cholesterol is of two types: High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein. While HDL is the good cholesterol, LDL is referred as bad cholesterol. The effect these two have on our body couldn’t have been more different.

Excessive cholesterol clogs our arterial walls, affecting the flow of blood. LDL, or bad cholesterol, is the main contributor to this build up. HDL, or good cholesterol, on the opposite facilitates the transfer of LDL to liver, which is responsible for breaking LDL into simpler substances and flushing it out from our system.

Excessive Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure

High blood cholesterol levels are the biggest cause of high blood pressure, which is also referred as Hypercholesterolemia, a condition in which blood fails to move smoothly through our arteries and veins. Excessive LDL in our blood clogs our arteries, impairing their ability to transfer blood. Though, high blood pressure is not a disease in itself, it is a condition that can lead to various serious health problems, including cardiovascular diseases.

Normal blood pressure range

The normal blood pressure range is, 120-80. Blood pressure in the range of 140-90 is considered as high and requires attention. As high LDL is a major cause of high blood pressure, you must have your LDL levels tested, if your blood pressure is significantly more than normal.

Lower your cholesterol levels naturally

It is a myth that to control cholesterol levels one needs to take continuous allopathic medication. There are natural remedies that effectively help you in controlling excessive cholesterol in the blood.

Starting today, make positive changes in your lifestyle and eating habits to bring your cholesterol levels down.

Do away with fatty foods, such as red meat, or fast food; instead, focus on foods that have high fiber and starch content, such as fresh vegetables and fruits. Also, take up a physical activity, one that you are comfortable with and can do almost daily without putting your body under stress.

Make use of the natural steps listed above to lowering your cholesterol and live an active, healthier, and safer life.

EL331015

Who wouldn’t agree that one of the most difficult and stressful jobs in the world is to hold the office of President of the United States?

One would think that to cope with the pressure this job demands, the President needs to lead a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle, as we all know is a combination of a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Bill Clinton’s high blood pressure scare

Bill Clinton, who was seemingly fit for a person of 58, had his first high blood pressure scare in 2001. A medical report pointed that his blood pressure was close to high and the cholesterol levels were also above normal.

Can the cause of Mona Lisa’s depressed face be her failing health?

Well… this is exactly what professor Franco has suggested. Professor Vito Franco points towards the yellowish tint around the left eye of Mona Lisa, stating that it is the sure sign of a skin condition called xanthelasma.

What is Xanthelasma?

Xanthelasma is a condition marked by cholesterol build up under the skin. A telling sign of this condition is externally visible yellowish nodules or disc-spaced mars on different parts of the body. One area where these marks appear is usually around the eyelids.

Until now, LDL or bad cholesterol has been believed to cause most health conditions that occur due to high levels of cholesterol in the blood. But now, it seems LDL has an accomplice. The New England Journal of Medicine has recently published a study which shows that a new constituent of cholesterol also has a damaging effect. The name of this new component is Lipoprotein (LP).

LP plays a significant role in causing cardiovascular diseases.  The reasons for high levels of LDL and LP in the human body are different; while the high LDL levels are typically the result of poor eating habits and lifestyle, the latter is inherited and its levels cannot be managed by altering diet or lifestyle. However, medicines such as CETP inhibitors and Niacin are available and help in reducing the levels of LP.

The bigger culprit

Research shows that LDL is the bigger culprit between the two. Martin Farrall, a leading researcher, states that the risk associated with high levels of LDL is more pronounced than the high levels of LP. He also said that one in every six individuals carry the gene(s) for LP.