Resterol Information:

We've all seen them - the cholesterol commercials that implant vivid images into our minds.  They play on human emotion regarding the many dangers associated with elevated cholesterol.  They tell you that drugs can effectively help you lower your LDL, or "bad" cholesterol levels, while improving your HDL, or "good" cholesterol. 

However, what the advertisers fail to tell you is that most doctors recommend that all nonpharmacologic options be exhausted before you even begin thinking about taking prescription medications.

This means adjusting diet and lifestyle to lower cholesterol and learning about your risk factors (e.g. family history) rather than being dependant upon a given medication.  But in our society, where convenience is a cultural mindset, it seems that the majority would rather take a pill for their ailment instead of exercising and adjusting certain dietary and lifestyle components.

Regardless of convenience, a startling fact remains.  Over 100 million Americans currently suffer from elevated cholesterol levels, or those with total cholesterol blood values of greater than 240mg/dL of blood.  This number is expected to increase as our dietary standards continue to decline.  Because you cannot control your family history and the impact it plays on your natural cholesterol levels, diet may be the most prominent influence in your attempts to lower your current cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol at a Glance:
 
Cholesterol is actually classified as a type of fat.  It's responsible for many critical physiological processes, including the production of new cellular membranes and hormones.  However too much cholesterol in the body (hypercholesterolemia) is a significant risk factor for serious disease conditions.  Cholesterol does not dissolve in the blood and needs to be transported by lipoproteins.  In human physiology there are several lipoproteins, but the most popular and influential are of the High-Density (HDL) or Low-Density (LDL) varieties.  

LDL, HDL, and Lp(a) Cholesterols:

LDL: Low-Density Lipoproteins, or LDLs, are the main cholesterol carrying compounds in the blood.  Although they are integral for the movement of cholesterol throughout the body, too much of LDL cholesterol can actually cause a build up of plaque upon the artery walls.  A high level of LDL cholesterol (160 mg/dL and above) puts you at an increased risk for a myriad of diseases.  That's why LDL cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol are paralleled to a lower risk of heart disease.

HDL: Approximately 1/3 to 1/4 of all cholesterol circulating in the blood will be carried by High-Density Lipoproteins; often referred to as HDLs or "good" cholesterol.  There is some speculation as to where these HDLs actually carry cholesterol in the body.  Some experts believe HDLs carry cholesterol from blood to the liver to be filtered out of the body.  Others believe that HDLs primarily function as cholesterol scavengers; taking cholesterol from existing plaques and subsequently slowing their growth.   Whatever their primary actions, high levels of High-Density Lipoproteins reflect a decreased risk for heart attack and stroke.  The opposite true is true for lower levels.

Lp(a): The less publicized and less-known of the influential cholesterols, Lp(a)s are a genetic variation of plasma Low-Density Lipoproteins.  A high Lp(a) cholesterol level is associated with an increased risk for developing atherosclerosis prematurely. As well, Lp(a)s are associated with an increased occurence of heart disease.


The Two Types of Cholesterol:

Basically, the first is derived from food and the second is made by your body.  You get cholesterol from what you consume and from your parents, grandparents, and other relatives. This means that there is cholesterol in nearly every animal source you eat and that your family history dictates how much cholesterol is produced by your liver.  Many people overlook the influence of hereditary factors and wonder why they have such a hard time lowering cholesterol.  Additionally, cholesterol derived from food is extremely hard to get away from, especially today.

So put food and family influence together, and you can see how easily cholesterol levels can begin to rise, and how important it is to address certain dietary and lifestyle factors.  Realize too that the body produces all the cholesterol it needs.  Any additional cholesterol obtained from food is considered excess.  The good news?  By treating both types of cholesterol you may significantly lower your cholesterol, especially when adding Resterol as an important component in this change.