subject: Will Genes and Hereditary Factors affect My Cholesterol? [print this page] Will Genes and Hereditary Factors affect My Cholesterol?
Seems like every day we hear something about the subject of cholesterol. There is good cholesterol known as (HDL) that we need for good heart health. Then, on the other hand there is something called bad cholesterol (LDL) that gets an equal if not more amount of coverage. Several questions pop into the mind of the layman regarding this subject. How do I augment good (HDL) while combating the bad stuff (LDL)? Equally frustrating, is the variable of hereditary factors. If mom or dad had high levels of (LDL) am I predisposed to suffer the same fate?
The Facts
According to Doctors at the London School of Medicine, cholesterol is simply part of the DNA that is a byproduct of our two parents. Essentially good or bad cholesterol is hereditary. Several factors along with heredity contribute to the creation of (LDL) in the system. Besides diet and lack of exercise, stress has been identified as a contributing factor to excess amounts of bad cholesterol.
What is LDL Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy type substance that is developed by two sources. The first is the food we ingest and the second is the liver. This waxy substance travels through the blood stream. The bad cholesterol tends to bunch up and over time blocks the passage ways of our cardio vascular system known as arteries.
How to combat this threat
How to lower bad cholesterol is a topic of debate depending on who you speak to. Those who favor a more natural way to lower cholesterol will tell you that aside from the avoidance of Trans fats and high levels of saturated fats found in large amounts of red meat and dairy products, the consumption of foods that are high in Omega 3 is the answer. Fish and Omega 3 provide a protection against build up of (LDL) in the blood stream. Other ways to lower cholesterol include twenty minutes of exercise a day, and keeping your BMI or body mass index at the appropriate level for your height and weight. Your doctor can tell you what your BMI should be. Other treatments for excessive amounts of (LDL) include prescription drugs referred to as statin drugs. Though these drugs have a track record of effectively lowering (LDL), there is a cost associated with this line of treatment. The various makers of these drugs strongly suggest that you have regular checks of your blood work to ensure that there are no side effects. One common side effect is elevated liver enzymes.
The argument for natural remedies
In the opinion of many doctors as well as proponents of health conscious remedies as ways to lower cholesterol, the benefits of Omega 3 fish oils far out way ingesting potentially toxic chemicals into your system. Omega 3 has many benefits aside from good heart health. Other benefits include ingredients to fight inflammation as well as helping to protect your brain.
Conclusion
Even if your doctor is a proponent of using statins as the primary way to lower cholesterol, it's recommended that you balance this regimen with the basics of moderate exercise, a diet containing more fruits, nuts and more green vegetables and foods containing fiber.
