What is Cholesterol? What Causes High Cholesterol?

What is Cholesterol? What Causes High Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a lipid (fat) which is produced by the liver. Cholesterol is vital for normal body function. Every cell in our body has cholesterol in its outer layer.

Cholesterol is a waxy steroid and is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. It is the main sterol synthesized by animals - small amounts are also synthesized in plants and fungi. A sterol is a steroid sub-group.

Cholesterol levels among US adults today are generally higher than in all other industrial nations. During the 1990s there was some concern about cholesterol levels in American children. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), nearly 1 in every 10 children/adolescents in the USA has elevated total cholesterol levels; and this was after concentrations had dropped over a 20-year period.

The word "cholesterol" comes from the Greek word chole, meaning "bile", and the Greek wordstereos, meaning "solid, stiff".

What are the functions of cholesterol?

• It builds and maintains cell membranes (outer layer), it prevents crystallization of hydrocarbons in the membrane
• It is essential for determining which molecules can pass into the cell and which cannot (cell membrane permeability)
• It is involved in the production of sex hormones (androgens and estrogens)
• It is essential for the production of hormones released by the adrenal glands (cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, and others)
• It aids in the production of bile
• It converts sunshine to vitamin D. Scientists from the Rockefeller University were surprised to find that taking vitamin D supplements do not seem to reduce the risk of cholesterol-related cardiovascular disease.
• It is important for the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K
• It insulates nerve fibers

There are three main types of lipoproteins

Cholesterol is carried in the blood by molecules called lipoproteins. A lipoprotein is any complex or compound containing both lipid (fat) and protein. The three main types are:

• LDL (low density lipoprotein) - people often refer to it as bad cholesterol. LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to cells. If too much is carried, too much for the cells to use, there can be a harmful buildup of LDL. This lipoprotein can increase the risk of arterial disease if levels rise too high. Most human blood contains approximately 70% LDL - this may vary, depending on the person.

• HDL (high density lipoprotein) - people often refer to it as good cholesterol. Experts say HDL prevents arterial disease. HDL does the opposite of LDL - HDL takes the cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver. In the liver it is either broken down or expelled from the body as waste.

• Triglycerides - these are the chemical forms in which most fat exists in the body, as well as in food. They are present in blood plasma. Triglycerides, in association with cholesterol, form the plasma lipids (blood fat). Triglycerides in plasma originate either from fats in our food, or are made in the body from other energy sources, such as carbohydrates. Calories we consume but are not used immediately by our tissues are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. When your body needs energy and there is no food as an energy source, triglycerides will be released from fat cells and used as energy - hormones control this process.

What are normal cholesterol levels?

The amount of cholesterol in human blood can vary from 3.6 mmol/liter to 7.8 mmol/liter. The National Health Service (NHS), UK, says that any reading over 6 mmol/liter is high, and will significantly raise the risk of arterial disease. The UK Department of Health recommends a target cholesterol level of under 5 mmo/liter. Unfortunately, two-thirds of all UK adults have a total cholesterol level of at least five (average men 5.5, average women 5.6).

Below is a list of cholesterol levels and how most doctors would categorize them in mg/dl (milligrams/deciliter) and 5mmol/liter (millimoles/liter).

• Desirable - Less than 200 mg/dL
• Bordeline high - 200 to 239 mg/dL
• High - 240 mg/dL and above
• Optimum level: less than 5mmol/liter
• Mildly high cholesterol level: between 5 to 6.4mmol/liter
• Moderately high cholesterol level: between 6.5 to 7.8mmol/liter
• Very high cholesterol level: above 7.8mmol/liter

Dangers of high cholesterol levels

High cholesterol levels can cause:

• Atherosclerosis - narrowing of the arteries.
• Higher coronary heart disease risk - an abnormality of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.
• Heart attack - occurs when the supply of blood and oxygen to an area of heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a coronary artery. This causes your heart muscle to die.
• Angina - chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart muscle does not get enough blood.
• Other cardiovascular conditions - diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
• Stroke and mini-stroke - occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or vein, interrupting the flow to an area of the brain. Can also occur when a blood vessel breaks. Brain cells begin to die.

RECOMMENDED FOREVER LIVING PRODUCTS FOR  CHOLESTROL

Aloe Vera Gel You’ve reached for aloe when you’ve spent too much time in the sun. You’ve seen it listed as a ingredient in many of your personal care products. It’s always been there. Simple. Ordinary. Trusted. There’s a reason aloe vera gel is trusted in products you see every day. And that reason dates back thousands of years. The earliest civilizations revered this extraordinary botanical for its astonishing properties. Its legendary uses have been passed down through time, enhanced by scientific innovation and centuries of experience. Let aloe surprise you as it: * Nourishes your digestive system * Infuses you with energy * Protects skin from free radical damage * Promotes skin’s natural healing * Is the only vegetarian source of vitamin B12 * And so much more Forever Living Products offers you a complete line of nurturing products based on 100% pure aloe vera gel.  Harvested by hand from our own plantations and immediately stabilized for purity, our aloe nourishes your body—inside and out—with products ranging from age-defying facial treatments to delicious, antioxidant rich drinks.

It’s is mostly recommended to drink  a glass of Aloe Vera Juice one hour before every meal.

                                          

Forever Garcinia Plus

Aids natural metabolism. Helps lower cholesterol and fatty acids and aids in the development of healthy hair, nails and skin. Ideal for sports people to quickly energise the body.  Forever Garcinia Plus is a revolutionary nutritional supplement, containing a number of ingredients that may aid in weight loss when combined with moderate exercise and a sensible diet. The primary ingredient is a natural substance derived from the fruit of a Southern Asian tree, the Garcinia Cambogia, also known as the Malabar Tamarind. The rind of this fruit is dried and used to produce Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA). Chemically, HCA is very similar to the citric acid found in oranges and other citrus fruits. The fruit of the Garcinia is about the size of an orange, but is more like a pumpkin in appearance. For centuries, this fruit has been used for culinary and herbal purposes in Southern India and in Thailand.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FOREVER GARCINIA PLUS

Specialists in plant compounds became aware of the remarkable qualities of HCA in the late 1960's, when they learned that this compound can reduce the body's production of fats from carbohydrates. During the normal metabolism of a meal, carbohydrate calories that are not used immediately for energy or stored as glycogen are converted into fats in the liver. HCA works by inhibiting the enzyme (citrate liase) which converts these calories into fat. As a result, the body will burn existing fat stores, thus aiding in weight loss. 
When enough glycogen has been created and stored in the liver, a message is sent to the brain indicating sufficient food has been taken. This action is called a satiety reflex, and quells the appetite, reducing the desire for more food. 

·         Contains HCA, a natural appetite suppressant

·         HCA inhibits the enzyme that converts calories into fat

·         A useful tool in weight management

·         One softgel three times daily preferably 30-60 minutes before meals.

A significant ingredient in Forever Garcinia Plus is Chromium Picolinate. Chromium is rarely found in today’s diets. Sugar and exercise cause the body to use more of the limited amount that is consumed. Three Forever Garcinia Plus capsules yield 300mcg of chromium, thus correcting this common deficiency. Chromium helps break down sugar for the body to use. Chromium deficiency can cause fatigue and excess fat production. 
The two other important ingredients found in Forever Garcinia Plus are Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) and Safflower Oil. These are sometimes called “healthy fats” or “fatless fats”. These oils help to keep the blood vessels flexible and have been shown to be important for overall cardiovascular health. They boost the metabolic rate, so the body burns these oils for quick energy. They energize the body quickly, making Forever Garcinia Plus an excellent supplement for any active or athletic lifestyle. The added benefits of these two healthy oils include their contribution to healthy skin, hair and nails.

·         Forever Garcinia Plus is suitable for any metabolism, fast or slow. It is not necessary to adjust the suggested amount per body size or weight.

·         While Garcinia is safe, it should not be taken by pregnant or lactating women.

·         You should consult with your physician prior to taking Garcinia, particularly if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart, liver or kidney disease.

Malabar Tamarind

INGREDIENTS IN FOREVER GARCINIA PLUS

Garcinia Cambogia Extract, Safflower Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Medium-chain Triglyceride Vegetable Oil (MCT or Thin Oil), Purified Water, Beeswax, Lecithin, Carob Extract, Titanium Dioxide, and Chromium Picolinate. Contains Soy. 

It’s is mostly recommended to take one capsule twice a day  of Forever Garcinia plus 30 minutes before meals.

                                          

FOREVER NATURE-MIN.

Your body can benefit from nutrients locked deep in an ancient seabed because four percent of our body weight is comprised of these minerals.  Since our bodies can’t manufacture minerals,we have to obtain them from our food or supplementation. Forever Nature-Min is an advanced, multi-mineral formula using new bio-available forms of minerals for maximum absorption.It provides minerals and trace minerals in a perfectly balancedratio for maximum efficiency.Using a mineral base of natural seabed deposits and chelated marine plants and animals, Forever Nature-Min provides most of the minerals found in the human body.  Minerals in the body perform three functions – :
1… Some, like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, are constituents of the bones and teeth.
2… Others are soluble salts that help to control the composition of body fluids and cells.
3… Minerals, such as iron and hemoglobin, perform other vital tasks. They work with enzymes and proteins, which are necessary for releasing and utilizing energy.  Forever Nature-Min is an excellent way to ensure that your body is getting the minerals and traceminerals it needs to meet the demands of a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
INGREDIENTS in Forever Nature-Min: Natural Sea Mineral Deposit, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid. CONTAINS SHELLFISH.
180 tablets 
Forever Nature-Min – Provides most of the minerals found in the human body – including calcium and phosphorus and magnesium – in balanced proportions.
- Take six tablets daily.
* Contains trace minerals from natural sea bed deposit
* Perfect blend of minerals in each tablet
* Minerals play many roles in the human body, from regulating fluid balance to activating genes and hormones

It’s is mostly recommended to take two tablets three times a day  of Forever Nature-Min.

Arctic Sea

The latest scientific findings of the last few decades of the last century in the area of nutrition produced Arctic Sea - a combination of fish oil and olive oil. It is one of the balanced food supplements with manifold action. 
Because of the huge protective and therapeutic action of fatty acids Omega 3 and Omega 9, this product deserves more attention. 

OMEGA 3

The term Omega 3 means a group of fatty acids which have been discovered in the 1970ies. The discovery of Omega 3 has generated thousands of studies, scientific papers, and clinical research worldwide. Even if this is the case, still only few people really understand the role of Omega 3 and its mechanism of operation in the body. They are fundamental molecules in the structure and activity of cell membranes of the whole body. They have highly specialized functions in the neurological tissue especially in the brain and retina (brain is the fattiest organ of the body). Because of their role in cell membranes, Omega 3 fatty acids are essential in the forming of new tissue, and they are very important for growth and development. They also have a highly important role in prevention of degenerative changes and premature symptoms of aging. Researchers have shown that Omega 3 fish oils (cod, salmon, sardine, tuna), especially from the fish of cold arctic seas, are not only good to lessen the pain and inflammation, but also prevent degeneration and deterioration of the joint cartilage. According to some authors, the long molecular chains of Omega 3 EPA and DHA fatty acids lubricate the joints. The third Omega 3 acid is found in dark leafy vegetables, in linseed and some other oils, in walnuts etc. With the help of enzymes this acid becomes FPA in the organism. All three of these acids have different roles and all three are necessary for good health. 
Australian researchers have proven a connection between diet and degeneration of macula, which is stimulated by the lack of Omega 3 in the organism. Many studies from the end of 20th and the beginning of 21st century point to a connection between cardiovascular ailments and the lack of Omega 3 in the organism. This has been linked for the first time in the researches done on Eskimos. 
In the case of lack of polyunsaturated Omega 3 fatty acids, the organism uses saturated fatty acids to build cell membranes. The cell membranes that are thus created are less elastic, which negatively affects the cardiovascular system. In addition to this, nutritionists have come to conclusion that the ratio between Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids is very important. In the typical western diet that ratio is out of balance, in favor of Omega 6 which is found in cereals, margarine, fried food, wholegrain bread... This shows that there is a high need to supplement diet with Omega 3, which-as science has proven-helps prevent and treat different ailments in varied ways. 

OMEGA 9

Is monounsaturated fatty acid from olive oil. Its influence on lowering cholesterol levels has been proved in practice, especially in peoples who use olive oil in their diet, for example the countries of the Mediterranean. Omega 3 reduces cholesterol and tryglicerides in blood, and improves the general state of health. 
In Arctic Sea the ratio is 3:1 for Omega 3 : Omega 9. 

USAGE

ARCTIC SEA, as a combination of fish and olive oils in its natural form is considered a supplement to modern diet. It is necessary in the following symptoms: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high tryglicerides, retention of water, poor eyesight, loss of memory, different forms of depression, frequent infections and inflammations, dry skin, tingling of muscles in arms and legs, etc. 
Therapeutic properties are especially pronounced in the following cases: 

·         Lowering of cholesterol in blood and thus lowering the risk of cardiovascular problems.

·         Lowering of cholesterol deposits on the walls of arteries.

·         Prevention of rheumatoid arthritis.

·         Lowering of tryglicerides in blood, fats linked to obesity and heart attacks as well as strokes.

·         Balancing of blood pressure.

·         Slowing down the growth and development of cancerous tumors.

·         Prevention of blood clots, making blood cells less sticky.

·         In the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.

The best results are achieved with simultaneous taking with Aloe Vera Gel. 

It’s is mostly recommended to take two capsules three times a day  of Forever Arctic Sea Omega3

Garlic Thyme

The dietary uses of garlic and thyme have been traced back thousands of years. An Egyptian papyrus dating from 1,500BC listed 22 healthy uses for garlic. Today, we are starting to understand how they work.

Garlic and thyme, the two powerful antioxidants found in Forever Garlic-Thyme, combine to create a great tool in maintaining good health. When garlic is cut or crushed, enzymes react to produce a powerful agent. Studies have shown that garlic’s other ingredients help the metabolism convert fats to energy and protect the body against free radicals.
Other healthy substances in this odorless softgel include ajoene and lecithin, which can help emulsify fats. Garlic’s sulphur compounds have also been shown to have beneficial properties. Garlic also contains germanium, a mineral trace element believed to help boost the body’s immune system and selenium, a trace mineral antioxidant.
Thyme contains the antioxidants Tannin, Phenol and Thymol (saponins).Other beneficial nutrients contained in Garlic-Thyme are potassium, calcium, magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin C.
• Powerful antioxidant
• Odorless, softgel capsule
• Helps protect the body against free radicals
• Helps support the conversion of fats to energy

It’s is mostly recommended to take one capsule three times a day  of Forever Garlic Thyme .

DISCLAIMER: All above Product Information is taken from www.foreverliving.com. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products discussed are not intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure or prevent a specific disease or class of diseases. You should consult your family physician if you are experiencing a medical problem. Rest of the information provided above is as per my sole understanding and is created by myself or taken from other sources on Internet, Books etc. Please read Company's literature or attend Company's Seminar for more and latest information.