You no doubt have heard that high cholesterol is bad for you, but what does that really mean? And exactly what is cholesterol? You may have heard terms like low-density lipoprotein or high-density lipoprotein, but which is good and which is bad? And you may wonder whether you can reduce … Read More
Even though statin drugs and other cholesterol medication lower LDL-cholesterol, many people who take them have dangerously low levels of HDL-cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol, along with high triglycerides. These people have an elevated risk for heart attacks, strokes, and other problems associated with cardiovascular disease. About a Third of Patients on … Read More
The leaves of the olive tree may not be as legendary as its Superfruit, the olive, but even the ancient Egyptians used olive leaf extract for medicinal purposes. Today, researchers are confirming that olive leaf benefits health in many ways, including its usefulness as an effective high blood pressure supplement … Read More
Are you willing to dine on caveman cuisine to lower your cholesterol and your blood pressure, or to improve your blood sugar control? Evidence suggests that a hunter-gatherer-type Paleolithic, or Paleo, diet can improve your cardiovascular health and blood sugar metabolism. The Paleo diet includes lean meats but excludes all … Read More
Lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a) is a small LDL-like particle that strongly increases your risk for heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems. Studies show a very direct, linear correlation between high lipoprotein (a) in your blood and risk: the higher your Lp(a) cholesterol numbers, the more plaque builds up in … Read More
Even doctors sometimes give an incorrect answer to the question, “What is cholesterol?” by making the common assumption that cholesterol is a type of fat. But cholesterol is not a fat. What is “cholesterol”? The word cholesterol comes from the Greek words chole (meaning bile) and stereos (meaning solid) and … Read More
A lipid profile—also called a lipid panel—is a blood test that gives your doctor a head-up as to abnormalities in your cholesterol level. The lipid profile includes total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, cholesterol-HDL ratio, LDL-HDL ratio, and triglycerides. A fairly routine test, a lipid profile is an indicator of … Read More
You’re climbing a flight of stairs and suddenly you experience the sensation of pressure in your chest. It might feel a little like heartburn, but you know it’s more serious. What causes chest pain like that? Are you having a heart attack? Or is it an angina attack, your first … Read More
When it comes to ensuring a fit and functioning brain, cholesterol is an essential compound, but a complex one as well. The waxy fat-like substance comes in two forms whose interaction needs to be carefully balanced in order to ensure maximum health. Cholesterol is a key component of cellular membranes … Read More
Even though statin drugs and other cholesterol medications lower LDL-cholesterol, many people who take them have dangerously low levels of HDL-cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol, along with high triglycerides. These people have an elevated risk for heart attacks, strokes, and other problems associated with cardiovascular disease. About a third of patients on … Read More
