How to Maintain and Restore Healthy Blood
Lipids Level
Cardiovascular disease is referred to a group of health conditions involving body's circulatory system including
heart, arteries, and veins. There are different mechanisms by which a
cardiovascular condition could form. For example the atherosclerosis is a mechanism through which the coronary artery disease and stroke are developing. There are several causes initiating
atherosclerosis including; high blood pressure, high blood lipids, diabetes, high toxic load
such as smoking and alcohol, being overweight and so on.
Since high blood lipid levels remains
one of the of the major concerns in regards to cardiovascular disease, managing
and maintaining proper blood lipids will
help to eliminate one of the contributing pillars to the atherosclerosis and
cardiovascular disease.
How lipids are moving around in our body?
Cholesterol and triglyceride
molecules are transported by specialized proteins called Lipoproteins
throughout the blood; and in fact the size and density of lipoproteins are the
risk indicators of cardiovascular disease.
Lipoproteins are also responsible
to transport fat soluble vitamins and antioxidants such as beta carotenes,
vitamin E and Co Q10. The structure of
these lipoproteins contains protein molecules called Apo-proteins. Apo-proteins
act as signaling factors guiding the lipoproteins through blood stream to get
to the tissues where they have to transport the lipids to.
Lipoproteins are categorized based on their function, size, density,
and structure:
Chylomicrons: are produced by
the intestinal cells to transport the lipid molecules absorbed from food to the
liver, fat cells, and muscles.
VLDLs: take the triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids from liver and transport them to
the fat cells to be stored.
LDLs: transport the cholesterol from the liver to the other tissues where needed. LDLs
contain 60 to 70% of circulating cholesterol in our body. The signaling protein
of LDL is called ApoB-100 which is recognized and picked up by those cell
requiring cholesterol.
Because higher amount of
cholesterol is carried by LDL, LDL is known as bad cholesterol. However all the
LDLs are not equal and the LDL's amount of the total cholesterol alone is not
making it a risk factor. Smaller and denser LDL molecules pose a significantly
higher risk to the cardiovascular system.
Smaller and denser LDL Molecules
are more prone to oxidation and much easier can penetrate under the inner
lining of arteries. Therefore, besides LDL numbers, analysis of the size and
density of the blood LDLs provide higher value and accuracy in preventing and
risk assessment of cardiovascular disease.
HDLs: take the cholesterol from tissues, cells, and other carries
like VLDLs and Chylomicrons and bring them to
the liver to be re-processed, used in hormone production, vitamin
production, or disposed as bile salts.
HDLs form 20 to 30% of the blood
cholesterol. Cholesterol carried in form of the HDL is known as good
Cholesterol because of its protecting
benefits. The signalling molecules of the HDL are including ApoA-I &
ApoA-II.
Transportation of cholesterol
from tissues to the liver is called reverse
cholesterol transport. Optimum liver function and hormone health improves reverse cholesterol transport.
What are the functions of cholesterol and triglycerides?
As it is apparent liver plays a
key role in storing, metabolizing and distributing energy form different
sources including lipids, glucose, and protein around the body.
Cholesterol is a wax like steroid
molecule which plays multiple important roles in our body. Cholesterol
molecules are found in our cells' membranes and its concentration varies
depending on the function of that cell. For example, more cholesterol is found
in the cell wall of the nerve cells. Cholesterol is also critical in metabolism
of steroid hormones, and Vitamin D.
Cholesterol is necessary for formation of bile salts which further help with digesting
lipids.
Triglyceride molecules provide
long term storage of energy in the form of fat. While our body is limited to
store sugar in the form of glycogen in muscles and liver, it has much greater capacity
to store higher amount of energy in the fat form. Simply our liver turns the
excess sugar from our diet to fat for storage.
How cholesterol and triglycerides have become risk factors?
Initially due to finding of lipid
deposits in the affected areas of arteries in cases with atherosclerosis, high
blood lipid levels were linked to cardiovascular disease. Later on studies
found that particularly the oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) is able to pass beneath the
inner layer of arteries and initiate inflammation, scaring, trapping more fat
and eventually forming a plaque.
Fatty acid parts of the LDLs get oxidized
as exposed to free radicals and toxins in the blood, and that changes the structure
and eventually the function of the LDL. Oxidized LDL is able to damage the
Inner layer of arteries and get beneath this layer, consequently the immune
system will be triggered and white blood cells are called to remove these
oxidized LDLs. This process often causes inflammation and creates bigger
molecular structures trapped under the endothelium narrowing the artery and
forming plaque.
High blood glucose or high sugar
diet as well increases the damaging effects of LDL to the arteries. Through a
process called Glycation, the fatty acids in LDL join to Glucose and that not
only will change structure and function of the LDL, but also do accelerate the
LDL's oxidation.
Therefore, elevated LDL alone
does not cause cardiovascular disease. High LDL increases the likely hood of
more of them being oxidized and that impose a serious risk to our arteries.
How to reduce the side effects of bad
cholesterol and triglycerides?
Prevention of cardiovascular
disease should start from our diets. Research recommend series of
therapeutic lifestyle changes to manage blood lipid levels.
Diet low in saturated and hydrogenated fats
while rich and high in Omega 3 fatty acids and plant sterols.
Diet low in sugar and simple carbohydrates,
instead to include complex carbs, vegetables, and minimum daily amount of 30 grams fibre.
Diet to include 15% of daily calorie from lean protein.
Diet with Low sodium.
As cholesterol is a pre-cursor to
production of variety of steroid hormones, optimizing hormonal level will improve the
reverse cholesterol transport resulting in lower LDL and better HDL function.
Several nutrients via different mode of
action promote a healthy blood lipid levels and provide protection against
cardiovascular disease:
Pantethine (biological active form of vitamin B5)
acts as a co-factor in fatty acid metabolism promoting energy production from
fatty acids in cells. Studies show both cholesterol and triglyceride lowering
effaces of Panthetine in patients with high blood lipid profile and high blood
sugar.
Garlic extract has been supported by many human
studies for its cholesterol and triglycerides lowering benefits. Garlic extract
also helps to reduce both Systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Human trial showed up to 4.5 mmHg
reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to placebo group and this reduction
was greater (about 8.5 mmHg) in those with hypersensitivity.
Amla is an Ayurvedic medicine which has been
researched for its cardiovascular benefits. Research show that Amla provides
great antioxidant activity and is able to lower the Ox-LDL and improve overall
lipid profile by reducing LDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides, while
increasing HDL. Additionally it is suggested that Amla improves blood sugar
levels and consequently could protect against Glycation.
Plant sterols (phytosterols) are steroid molecules
of plants acting similar to cholesterol in human and other animals. Phytosterols
are hardly get absorbed in our digestive system and by competing with the
absorption of other fats, they help to lower the lipids absorption in digestive
tract. Multiple human studies indicate that supplementing with 2 to 3 grams of
plant sterols daily will more effectively reduce blood lipids when combined
with lifestyle and diet improvement.
Based on numerous human trials daily
therapeutic dosage of antioxidants
including Co Q10, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Pomegranate
extract, Carotenoids like Lycopene,
and Phytophenols such as Flavonoides from green tea, Resveratrol from grapes, Anthocianidines from grapes and berries,
can prevent and reverse the LDL oxidation, and improve overall cellular
function and energy.
Omega3 fatty acids including EPA and DHA are not
synthesized in human, but they are essential to the health due to their
participation in multiple metabolic
functions in the body. Omega 3 should be sourced though diet. It's been found
that daily therapeutic dosage of 3-4 grams of high grade EPA and DHA can slow
down the release of the VLDL and increase degeneration of blood triglycerides,
therefore able to reduce triglyceride levels significantly. Lowering
triglycerides also reduces the LDL levels and improves HDL.
Maintaining a healthy liver
improves the lipid profile and cardiovascular health. Artichoke extract has been found to provide
liver protecting and bile flow stimulating properties. Studies on human found supplementing 1.2 to 1.8 grams of artichoke extract within
6 to 12 weeks has lowered the LDL and total cholesterol about 6-10% and
improved overall liver health.
Optimal Intestinal health by maintaining
a balanced and healthy micro-flora
population also play an important role in managing healthy blood lipids. Intestinal probiotics play a role in
controlling and regulating cholesterol metabolism and transport. One bacteria
in particular called Lactobacillus reuteri has been studied for its
cholesterol lowering benefits. A randomized human study suggests supplementing
with 3 billion cfu L.reuteri during 6 weeks decreased blood total cholesterol,
LDL, APOB100, and inflammatory markers like CRP.
Cardiovascular disease is a chronic
condition which is usually resulted from multiple factors. It is very important
to be pro active and reduce the impact of the contributing risk factors by
being aware of and eliminating them through adopting a healthy lifestyle
habits, healthy foods, and nutritional supplements. Also it is shown maximum recovery
from cardiovascular disease and restoring health is achieved via a holistic
approach and by addressing all the contributing factors.
Articles and products featured by Health Palace
are collected from a variety of sources and are provided as a service by Health
Palace. These newsletters, while of potential interest to readers, do not
necessarily represent the opinions nor constitute the advice of Health Palace.
Presented materials are only for information purposes and do not intent to
treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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