Delay Onset of High Cholesterol by Maintaining Fitness
According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, being regularly active delayed age-related cholesterol increases in men by up to 15-years.
Research indicates high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. Regular physical activity can reduce this risk. Being physically fit reduces arterial build-up by lowering LDL cholesterol levels while increasing HDL cholesterol. It also lowers other risk factors for atherosclerosis and blood clots, such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and stress.
Are You Middle-Age with High Cholesterol?
First of all, your cholesterol levels are not the final determinant of your heart attack or heart disease risk. Other factors besides cholesterol play a role, such as inflammation which causes cholesterol to oxidize and then lead to heart concerns. That being said, you don’t just want to ignore cholesterol levels. They are a good measure to assess risk and determine if further investigation is needed to determine appropriate treatment.
Norwegian researchers reported middle-age men with high cholesterol levels to be at increased risk for a first heart attack when compared to women with high cholesterol levels.
This study, published in the September issue of Epidemiology, included more than 40,000 participants under the age of 60 years-old. They found men with high cholesterol to have three times the risk for a heart attack versus women.
The reason for this increased wasn’t identified by the researchers, but speculation that it may be connected to the protective effects of hormones, such as estrogen. That is why this study had an age limit of 60 years-old. After the age of 60, the protective benefits women may receive from hormones is eliminated as menopause begins.
Choline and Your Health
Are you even familiar with the B vitamin choline? There is a good chance you are not. The Institute of Medicine didn’t even establish a dietary reference intake for this nutrient until 1998.
Choline, like magnesium, plays a role in just about every bodily system. Two compounds are derived from choline – acetylcholine and lecithin. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter for the peripheral and central nervous systems. Acetylcholine may protect again certain age-related dementias. Lecithin is a more generic term encompassing yellowish-brown fat tissue.
Choline Sources
The body can produce choline in small amounts, but not in large enough quantities to support good health. You must consume choline from dietary sources. Choline can be found in many foods, such as:
High cholesterol, Chronic Kidney Disease – Good combo?
A recent study found a link between high cholesterol levels and increased kidney treatment problems. To better understand the impact of cholesterol levels on the treatment of kidney disease, physicians need to take into account malnutrition and inflammation status of chronic kidney disease patients.
Individuals living with chronic kidney disease often develop heart disease and die from heart complications. In the general population its well know high cholesterol levels put you at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, the relationship between kidney disease and cholesterol levels is not as clear. Research has actually shown individuals with high cholesterol and receiving dialysis diet at lower rates than those with lower cholesterol levels. This isn’t to say high cholesterol is desirable, but it may indicate a reduced degree of malnutrition and inflammation. Malnutrition and inflammation are two serious complications of kidney disease.
Cholesterol Awareness with an Olympian
Mark Spitz is now a retired Olympic swimmer and he turns 60 years-old on February 10th. In case you do not know of Mark Spitz, Mark won 7 gold medals at the 1972 Olympic games. His record was just recently surpassed by Michael Phelps at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with 8 gold medals.
Back in 2002, Mark was diagnosed with cholesterol levels above 300 mg/dl. He worked with his physician to lower his levels through exercise and medication. His total cholesterol was back down below 200 mg/dl within one month. Mark’s been quoted as saying “I was shocked when I was diagnosed with high cholesterol because I had no symptoms at all.” In the past few years Mark has openly discussed his history with high cholesterol and has actively encouraged continued research and awareness.
One of the 2010 national health objectives is to decrease the number of adults with total cholesterol levels >240 mg/dl. A strategy used to reach this goal is increased public awareness. The CDC has found that the number of people screened for high cholesterol and told by a health professional they have high cholesterol has increased. Before you can take action to lower cholesterol levels you have to be aware your cholesterol is an issue. If you do not know your cholesterol levels discuss with your physician to have the necessary lab work completed.
Be sure to sign-up for the free e-course How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps provided by dietitian Lisa Nelson at http://www.lowercholesterolwithlisa.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Cholesterol Screening – Has your child been tested?
It’s a sad reality that with increased childhood obesity we now have to worry about high cholesterol and heart disease risk of our children. I recently read an article that discussed screening and treatment recommendations for children with high cholesterol. If you are interested, here’s a link – Cholesterol Screening in Children: The Current Debate.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD, LN
The Heart of Health
