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This is a great time to take charge of your heart health and
look at ways to lower cholesterol!
1 out of every 2 men and 1 out of every 3 women will develop
heart disease sometime in their life. Heart disease is the number one killer of
men and women in the United States and about 1.25 million heart attacks occur
each year in the United States.
Research has clearly shown that lowering cholesterol can
reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Whether you have heart disease
already or want to prevent it, you can reduce your risk for having a heart
attack by lowering your cholesterol level.
The American Heart Association says it's important to pay
attention to exercise, and a proper diet that is low on foods that contain
cholesterol and saturated fats. That means eating better and improving
lifestyle. Speak to your health care providers to make sure your cholesterol is
being monitored and find out how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you
stay healthy.
Reduce Risk with TCM
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are both used to address
high cholesterol.
Acupuncture can be used to treat many of the health
conditions that are known to drastically increase the risk of heart disease and
high cholesterol. Here are a few of the risk factors that can be addressed
with acupuncture:
* Smoking
* High Blood Pressure
* Excess weight
* Diabetes
Herbal Medicine
Several Chinese herbs and herbal formulas are used to lower
cholesterol levels. Shan Zha (Fructus Crataegi) also known as Hawthorn berry,
have been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure.
Most herbal medicines are a blend of herbs specifically
chosen for each individual. Please talk to your practitioner about which herbal
formulas and supplements for high cholesterol and heart health are right for
you.
Causes of High Cholesterol
Three nutrients in your diet make LDL ("bad" cholesterol)
levels rise:
* Saturated fat, a type of fat found mostly in foods that
come from animals
* Trans fat, found mostly in foods made with hydrogenated
oils and fats such as stick margarine,
* Cholesterol, which comes only from animal products.
Learn how to read a food label - Choose foods that are low
in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.
Overweight
Excess weight tends to increase your LDL level. Also, it
typically raises triglycerides, a fatty substance in the blood and in food and
lowers HDL. Losing the extra pounds may help lower your LSL and triglycerides,
while raising your HDL.
Physical Inactivity
Being physically inactive contributes to overweight and can
raise LDL and lower HDL. Regular physical activity can raise HDL and lower
triglycerides, and can help you lose weight and, in that way, help lower your
LDL.
Participate in physical activity of moderate intensity—like
brisk walking—for at least 30 minutes on most, and preferably all, days of the
week. No time? Break the 30 minutes into three, 10-minute segments during the
day.
Smoking
Don't smoke. If you do smoke, contact your acupuncturist to help you quit.
Your Cholesterol Level
You can have high cholesterol and not realize it. Most of
the 65 million Americans with high cholesterol have no symptoms. So it's
important to have your blood cholesterol levels checked. All adults age 20 and
older should have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every 5 years.
If you have elevated cholesterol, you'll need to have it tested more often.
Setting your Goal
The main goal in treating high cholesterol is to lower your
LDL level. Studies have proven that lowering LDL can prevent heart attacks and
reduce deaths from heart disease in both men and women.
Total Cholesterol
Less that 200 mg/dL - Desirable
200-239 mg/dL - Borderline high
240 mg/dL and above - High
LDL Cholesterol
Less than 100 mg/dL - Optimal (ideal)
100-129 mg/dL - Near optimal/ above optimal
130-159 mg/dL - Borderline high
160-189 mg/dL - High
190 mg/dL and above - Very high
HDL Cholesterol
Less than 40 mg/dL Major heart disease risk factor
60 mg/dL and above - Gives some protection against heart
disease
Health Tips for High Cholesterol
* Increase you intake of fiber-rich foods such as oatmeal, whole
grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes (beans, soybeans). * Soy products help lower cholesterol levels due to their
isoflavone content.
* Include garlic, onions, avocados, salmon, almonds and
walnuts in your diet.
* Omega-3 oils such as flax seed oil and fish oil helps
lower cholesterol.
* Copper and chromium are minerals that have been shown to
lower cholesterol levels.
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