Lower Your Cholesterol

Fasting from Cholesterol isn't really possible but eating more soy products should lower your consumption.

So what is it about soy that makes it a cholesterol lowering food? Studies have associated its isoflavones content to work hand in hand with soy protein. Research has also confirmed that using soy protein instead of animal protein in a person’s diet can actually result in lowering blood cholesterol level.

Intake of soy products has been associated with a decrease in LDL cholesterol level resulting in lower total blood cholesterol as well. Substances called isoflavones present in soybean products are found to be its cholesterol lowering food factor. A study made on 156 healthy people of different genders averaging about 52 years old has proven soy as a cholesterol lowering food. These people were divided into groups and were given different soy protein dosages. Those who received the highest dose of soy protein show a bigger drop in their total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels. Ongoing studies are still being conducted to confirm that the isoflavones content in soy products are responsible for the cholesterol lowering food property of soy.

Isoflavones, a rich form of which is soy, are plant chemicals also known as phytochemicals which are mostly lacking from typical Western diet. Scientific studies made have pointed out that isoflavones’ presence with soy protein is responsible for making soy as a cholesterol lowering food. Extensive research and studies have shown that a high level of isoflavones in soy protein remarkably reduces cholesterol levels. A minimal amount or absence of it in soy proteins does not lower down the cholesterol level.

Isoflavones is not to be considered as a cholesterol lowering food itself. Experiments wherein isoflavones is taken in as a pill, about 80mg/day or two tablets of 40mg isoflavones, did not result in any change of blood cholesterol level in the persons being studied. Isoflavones work best with the presence of soy protein. With these two present, a more effective cholesterol lowering food is at hand. Ongoing researches are still being done to search for better and more thorough explanations on their cholesterol-lowering properties.

Soy protein as a cholesterol lowering food is just among the other possible health benefits that researchers found out. The other health-related advantages of soy protein are: it provides protection against some types of cancer, it gives relief from menopausal symptoms, it aids in the maintenance of healthy bones and it improves athletic capabilities. Fasting cholesterol may not be possible but the benefits of soy make it worth a go.

Many people have their cholesterol levels tested and are given a numerical result, and based on that result, they are considered to have normal or low cholesterol, borderline cholesterol, or high cholesterol. What many people do not consider is what makes up that number they are given as their cholesterol level. More people need to be aware of not only their total cholesterol level, but also of their level of bad cholesterol. Encased in the total cholesterol score is good and bad cholesterol and it is important to be especially aware of having bad cholesterol and how it can affect your total health.

Differences Between Good and Bad Cholesterol

The body actually produces most of its cholesterol in the liver, but some is taken in by diet. Cholesterol is transported throughout the body through the bloodstream, encased in proteins, which are called lipoproteins. There are high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which are commonly known as good cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), which are commonly known as bad cholesterol. These low-density lipoproteins, the unhealthy cholesterol, are the ones that are responsible for causing plaque in the arteries that can lead to a heart attack. High-density lipoproteins are actually good, and they help to prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Where is Bad Cholesterol Found?

Bad cholesterol is commonly found in foods that are high in saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats include whole milk, butter, cheeses, ice cream, coconut milk and oil, and red meats. These saturated fats are responsible for raising both the good and the bad cholesterol levels. Trans fats include margarine, vegetable oils, shortening, deep fried foods, and many baked goods. Not only do trans fats raise bad cholesterol, but they actually can lower the amount of good cholesterol found in your body.

Many people believe that all foods containing cholesterol are bad for them; however, the worst culprits when it comes to bad cholesterol are those foods high in saturated and trans fats. Next time you sit down to eat your double cheeseburger and fries you might want to think twice about how much harmful cholesterol is contained in that one meal.

Considering the fact that those tasty yet unhealthy meals could lead to a heart attack in the future might keep you from letting those meals filled with bad cholesterol pass your lips. It is imperative to your health and long term well being to control the amount of bad cholesterol that you consume.

Medications for high cholestral can help control some of your related health problems, and the levels that your body is making daily. If you have been told that you have high cholestral you can get help from your family doctor, and read about your alternatives online. Your body makes cholestral everyday and if you are eating right, you are exercising and you are watching your weight, and you find that your cholestral level is not going down you may need to use medications. That way your cholestral can be reduced to a good, healthy level that will leave you free from worry.

Great changes can be made with the use of medications to lower your cholestral if you are find that you have problems in lowering it yourself through any other means. The choice to use medications is one that should not be taken lightly and should not be made overnight. If you levels are medium you should first try to reduce the cholestral that you eat, and you should try to lose weight if you need to, and to exercise more before, resorting to medication.

If you have little stress in your life, and you are not overweight, your doctor may explain why you should try the cholestral lowering life style changes first. Every person's needs are different. If you are ever in doubt as to what your medical provider is offering you in the form of information about the medication or your condition you should seek another opinion from another doctor and then you can weigh your options.

There are different types of medication that could be prescribed in order to lower your cholestral. They include Mevacor, Zocof, and Lipitor. They are designed to reduce the risk of blood clots that you could face with high cholestral. There is also Questran, and Colestid, and Lopid, and Tricor. however. As with all medical treatments, they should only be taken with a formal prescription from your doctor and you should be aware that there are often side effects. If you have high cholestral it is essential that you get prompt, professional advice from a qualified health professional.