High Cholesterol

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance (lipid) that is present in cell membranes and is a precursor of bile acids and steroid hormones. Cholesterol travels in the blood in distinct particles containing both lipid and proteins (lipoproteins). Three major classes of lipoproteins are found in blood: low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL), and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL).[1]

LDL cholesterol typically makes up to 60–70 percent of the total serum cholesterol. Elevated LDL levels have long been identified as a primary cause of coronary heart disease (CHD), and the primary target of cholesterol-lowering therapy. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the higher the level of LDL Cholesterol in blood, the higher the risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease. HDL cholesterol normally makes up to 30 percent of the total serum cholesterol. The higher the levels of HDL-cholesterol levels, the lower the risk for CHD. Some evidence indicates that HDL protects against the development of atherosclerosis.[3] LDL Cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels can be classified as:

• Optimal <100 mg/dL
• Near optimal(100–129 mg/dL)
• Borderline high (130–159 mg/dL)
• High (160–189 mg/dL)
• Very high (≥190 mg/dL) [2]

Can Nutritional Supplements Help Combat High Cholesterol?

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation has been reported to support a healthy cardiovascular function by inhibiting the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL) - an event linked to the development of atherosclerosis - and by restoring healty levels of CoQ10 in the body. In addition, clinical studies indicate that the intake of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may inhibit the body's ability to produce and synthetize Coenzyme Q10, thus reducing its levels. Oral supplementation of Coenzyme Q10 increases its levels in plasma, lipoprotein, and blood vessels.

Resveratrol is a dietary polyphenol that has been shown to have cardioprotective effects. Resveratrol has been found to inhibit LDL oxidation, and there is increasing evidence that these polyphenolic compound has additional cardioprotective functions including altering the degree of cholesterol absorption in the liver, reducing the levels of triglyceride assembly and secretion, and enhancing the processing of lipoproteins in the blood.[4]

Fight High Cholesterol Without Swallowing a Single Pill!