Stop the Silent Killer

High cholesterol levels leads to cardiovascular heart disease. There are no physical symptoms. Silently over a period of time fatty deposits accumulate in your arteries. Your arteries begin to narrow and eventually the blood flow to your heart is blocked. Bam! You have a heart attack. Cholesterol is a natural substance produced by your liver for normal bodily functions. An over abundance causes problems. The worst kind of cholesterol type is referred to as ldl. Your objective is to reduce ldl. Your doctor is the only person who can determine if you have high cholesterol levels. His first option is to prescribe cholesterol lowering drugs such as lipitor and pravachol. However, these drugs have side effects. The most common types are: headache, muscle pain, joint pain, stomach pain and liver damage. Not everyone experiences side effects. Taking prescription drugs means that you have to be under constant supervision by your doctor. You need frequent check ups to determine your progress. Before prescription drugs are used. you should try to lower your cholesterol naturally. This means a life style change. You have to:


lose weight
exercise
follow cholesterol friendly diets
A good low cholesterol diet should:
avoid high saturated fat foods
not include trans fat foods
include 3 to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
include 6 to 11 servings of grain and legumes
In addition to a low cholesterol diet, you have to exercise loose weight and stop smoking. If a life style change does not lower your cholesterol, than prescription drugs will be required and you will have to be under a doctor's supervision.

Norm Kay is a contributor writer to lowering cholesterol today A website dedicated to information on managing your cholesterol levels