lower risk of heart disease - Cholesterol Levels

Although there is nevertheless some debate, desirable cholesterol levels, which are believed to correspond to a lower risk of heart disease, are less than 200mg/dl. Numerous experts believe that the total number is not as important as the level of LDL (low density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein) particles. Ideally, the LDL level should be low and the HDL level should be big.

If you just had your blood profiles done and your doctor did not break down the readings into HDL and LDL particles, then you might want to get another reading or see another doctor. But, if the total is over 240mg/dl, then you most likely have an increased risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.

Age seems to have something to do with all of this. Children and babies have a very low LDL level. The desirable level for adults is believed to be less than 100mg/dl. Children sometimes have levels as low as 35mg/dl.

But, there is nothing we can do about age. Currently, there is nothing we can do about genetics, which is believed to play a role, too. But, there are several things that we can do.

Its possible to lower cholesterol levels naturally, without statin drugs, regardless of what the mainstream medical community and the pharmaceutical companies would have you believe. The only thing that might be necessary is a good dietary supplement.

There are several supplements on the market today that are promoted for their cholesterol-lowering attributes. There are even some food manufacturers that have conducted trials and published the results. Participants in the studies were able to balance their HDL to LDL ratio, just by eating specific foods.

One of the most talked about substances is policosanol. Policosanol is a compound found in sugar cane, rice bran and beeswax. It has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the production of LDL particles and increase HDL cholesterol levels, which is ideal.

The mainstream medical community has yet to accept the research concerning policosanol, possibly as much of it was conducted in Cuba. But, in a recent review of scientific studies, a large well-respected US research group concluded that there is enough supporting evidence to suggest that people with hypercholesterolemia should get Theaflavins and catechins.

Theaflavins and catechins are compounds found in black and green teas. They have antioxidant activity, which alone is beneficial, due to the fact it\'s the oxidation of fats in the bloodstream that causes hardening of the arteries.

Some researchers feel that it would make a lot more sense to evaluate a person's antioxidant status, rather than their cholesterol levels. But, doing that is complicated business. First, scientists would need to decide which antioxidants are most important and separate tests for every would need to be conducted.

Regardless of all that, Theaflavins and catechins have been shown to lower the number of LDL particles and increase the number of HDL particles. Some of the improved supplements contain Theaflavins, catechins and policosanol, as well as other ingredients proven to balance cholesterol levels naturally. You might want to learn more about them.