Cholesterol is one of the leading health issues for women. More than fifty percent of women over age fifty-five cholesterol levels should be lowered and more than a fourth of American women are at coronary heart disease (CHD) risk because of high cholesterol levels. It is projected that one hundred five million American cholesterol levels are two hundred milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl); this is the border-line. Forty-two million people have levels of two hundred forty mg/dl, thereby raising the risk. Although cholesterol builds-up over a period of time and is a contributing factor to this crippling disease, there are other factors, such as diabetes, low HDL, high LDL, high blood pressure, menopause, not exercising, obesity and smoking. If any family member developed CHD before the age of fifty, there is a great risk that others will develop CHD as well. The risk of coronary heart disease is not contained to a certain generation. Even American children from the age two through teenage years have high cholesterol levels leading to heart disease in later years. It is the leading killer in America for men and women. Fifteen million people have some form of this disease according to the American Heart Association. To lower an elevated cholesterol level, intensify the use of nutrition, weight control and physical activities. Medication may be recommended but a change of diet, increased exercise and weight control should be the first order. The body needs cholesterol to function and cholesterol is found throughout the body in cells or membranes. The body makes between 1,500 and 1,800 mg of cholesterol a day and when animal products are eaten more is added. For every 100 mg about 5 points are added to the cholesterol level. This is an estimate because everyone is different. A hundred grams of cholesterol is about four ounces of beef or chicken. *Most cholesterol is made in the liver and smaller amount in the small intestine. And the American diet adds approximately 800 mg a day. Saturated fats (palm oil, palm kernel oil, cocoa butter and partially hydrogenated oils), dairy products, animal fats, eggs and meat add cholesterol to the blood. The artery walls have a build up of fat deposits narrowing the channel of blood supply to the heart. This is a contributing factor of coronary disease. The blood supplying the heart carries oxygen and nutrients to keep it functioning properly. When there is a slow down, the result is coronary heart disease or a heart attack. If any part of the heart is deprived of oxygen it dies. Lipoproteins have packages in which cholesterol travels. Cholesterol does not dissolve well in blood and therefore has a hard time traveling in the bloodstream. It attaches itself to fatty protein. Package one low-density lipoprotein (LDL) referred to as the "bad" cholesterol, builds-up in the arteries and blocks the blood flow. Package two high-density lipoprotein (HDL) referred to as the "good" cholesterol, it keep the cholesterol liquid and help transport it to the cells or to the liver to recycle or remove from the body. The third package very low density (VLDL) transports triglycerides (natural fat in tissue) in the blood. *LDL sets the stage for mineral and fat deposits to attach to artery walls. While the HDL holds on to the cholesterol and transports it through the body. The number one health issue for men and women is heart disease and, many times the major factor is cholesterol. Even American children are at risk of this disease, because their cholesterol level is the same as the adults. Although the body needs cholesterol to function, it should be monitored to avoid heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
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