4 Biggest Factors For High Cholesterol

Diet

Controlling cholesterol has as much more to do with what you do NOT eat than what you do eat.  The amount of saturated fat that is introduced into the body has the highest impact.  The best and fastest way to lower it is to reduce the amount of saturated fat in the diet by cutting back or eliminating entirely, meat, eggs, milk and butter, or basically any food made from animals.  Animal products are responsible for 100% of the cholesterol from food.  No plant products contain it.  However, it is also important to note that although certain plant oils such as palm oil or coconut oil do not contain it, they are high in saturated fat, which actually can cause your body to produce excessive amounts of cholesterol. 

Although diet is the number one factor in determining levels in the body, there are many other factors that also can tilt the scales in one direction or the other.  Stress, caffeine, smoking, and even heredity all contribute to how the body handles and manufactures it. 

Coffee

Coffee drinking is linked to higher levels, with particularly high levels noted in people who drink coffee processed at high temperatures. The bulk of these coffee drinks come from any and all drinks made from espresso.  Other forms of coffee, even decaffeinated coffee, have also been shown to increase  levels.  Studies show decaffeinated coffee has relatively the same effect on serum levels.  Increases as high as 8-10% in LDL (low density lipoproteins) or "bad" cholesterol levels have been observed after drinking decaffeinated coffee for as little as three months.

Smoking

The me smoking of tobacco has been shown to reduce HDL, or "good" cholesterol levels. When HDL is reduced, there will most likely be an increase in LDL since it will have to make up for the decrease in HDL. In addition to reducing HDL cholesterol levels, many studies have shown an increase in the amount of total cholesterol in the bloodstreams of smokers.  Cigarettes contain a host of toxins, particularly a compound called acrolein.  Acrolein is a yellow, foul smelling vapor that is produced by burning plants, like tobacco.  Acrolein is easily absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs, and research has shown it contributes to heart disease by adversely affecting the way the body metabolizes cholesterol. So, it becomes quite simple.  If the amount that you smoke is reduced, the amount of chemicals that enter your body and adversely affect your cholesterol levels will also decrease.

Stress

Studies have shown that individuals vary in their cholesterol responses to stress.  The variances in levels reflect the way people react to stress and problems in every day life. The larger the reaction to emotional situations, the greater the rise in levels.

Regardless of how it occurs, plaque buildup in the body is a recipe for cardiovascular disease.  Higher total cholesterol and HDL levels increase the risk of inflammation and the sticky substance known as plaque. The more plaque and clotting present in the arteries, the harder it is for blood to move throughout the body, forcing the heart to work harder to get oxygen and nutrients to the body, thus increasing the chances of disease.

Take steps today to reduce your cholesterol levels so you can seriously diminish your risk of dying from a number of dangerous disease down the line.  And remember, it is almost never too late to start lowering it.  Get started today!

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Scott Malin is a widely respected expert on the subject of fitness, strength, and nutrition. To learn more, please visit: dynamicsofmotion.com dynamicsofmotion.com