Post by YourTrainerRob on Sept 30, 2013 19:16:34 GMT
Recently, a RTF trainee asked me a wonderful question. “I am interested in some nutritional advice relative to cholesterol. I have high cholesterol and so does my father. What are some things we could do to improve our cholesterol?”
Cholesterol is a fat (lipid) produced by liver; it is important for efficient bodily function throughout the entire body. The majority of the cholesterol found in the body is made by the body itself. However, there is a small portion of cholesterol that is not produced by the body; it is received from the consumption of animal products.
Cholesterol is produced by the liver and carried throughout the body by lipoproteins. LDL (lower density lipoprotein) is the “bad cholesterol.” HDL (high density lipoprotein) is the “good cholesterol.” Think of it as the bad guys and the police. LDL (the bad guys) wants to infiltrate the body by carrying cholesterol to bodily cells through the blood; and if too much is carried through the blood to the cells, it can be harmful resulting in high cholesterol. This can further result in the build-up in arteries and increase the risk of atherosclerosis (narrowing of the artery), arterial disease, heart attack, and stroke. HDL (the police) wants to protect the bodily cells by carrying the LDL (bad guys) away from the cells and back to the liver, later to be expelled from the body as waste.
Before I go any further, understand that in some cases of high cholesterol, it is hereditary. Your parents or even grandparents could have passed down the trait where the body naturally produces too much LDL.
However the case, there are ways to overcome high cholesterol, but it all begins with a lifestyle change to help lower your cholesterol. Here are a few tips:
• Consistent/regular exercise (physical activity - aerobic)
• Minimize your consumption of foods high in saturated fats and Trans fats (these foods increase the chance of atherosclerosis).
• Consume fresh fruits, fresh veggies, and steel cut oats (the fiber from can help absorb some of the cholesterol in the blood).
• Consume healthy fats like fish and nuts.
• Drop the pounds (being overweight increases your possibility for high cholesterol).
• Quit smoking (smoking increases LDL levels)
Improving cholesterol is a lifestyle commitment, and it is worth every second.
This was a great question! I look forward to hearing more!
-Your Trainer Rob
Cholesterol is a fat (lipid) produced by liver; it is important for efficient bodily function throughout the entire body. The majority of the cholesterol found in the body is made by the body itself. However, there is a small portion of cholesterol that is not produced by the body; it is received from the consumption of animal products.
Cholesterol is produced by the liver and carried throughout the body by lipoproteins. LDL (lower density lipoprotein) is the “bad cholesterol.” HDL (high density lipoprotein) is the “good cholesterol.” Think of it as the bad guys and the police. LDL (the bad guys) wants to infiltrate the body by carrying cholesterol to bodily cells through the blood; and if too much is carried through the blood to the cells, it can be harmful resulting in high cholesterol. This can further result in the build-up in arteries and increase the risk of atherosclerosis (narrowing of the artery), arterial disease, heart attack, and stroke. HDL (the police) wants to protect the bodily cells by carrying the LDL (bad guys) away from the cells and back to the liver, later to be expelled from the body as waste.
Before I go any further, understand that in some cases of high cholesterol, it is hereditary. Your parents or even grandparents could have passed down the trait where the body naturally produces too much LDL.
However the case, there are ways to overcome high cholesterol, but it all begins with a lifestyle change to help lower your cholesterol. Here are a few tips:
• Consistent/regular exercise (physical activity - aerobic)
• Minimize your consumption of foods high in saturated fats and Trans fats (these foods increase the chance of atherosclerosis).
• Consume fresh fruits, fresh veggies, and steel cut oats (the fiber from can help absorb some of the cholesterol in the blood).
• Consume healthy fats like fish and nuts.
• Drop the pounds (being overweight increases your possibility for high cholesterol).
• Quit smoking (smoking increases LDL levels)
Improving cholesterol is a lifestyle commitment, and it is worth every second.
This was a great question! I look forward to hearing more!
-Your Trainer Rob
Seriously though, really good advice Rob! Thanks for looking out!