Lipid Metabolism Disorder
Elevated Blood Lipids – What Are Blood Lipids Along With Four Simple Ways to Reduce Them
Elevated blood lipids are primarily due to diet. Through a process known as lipid protein metabolism your body uses, stores, and circulates lipids and lipoproteins (HDL and LDL). This process takes place when you ingest food. After swallowing your favorite culinary cuisine it (along with lipids/fats) moves to the stomach for digestion, then makes it way to the intestines, and finally to the liver.
This process is very efficient, finding a place in your body (sometimes around the waistline) for all this fat with very little if any making its way out of the body through solid waste. The problem of elevated blood lipids has much to do with the fact that the body makes all the lipids needed, thus any additional fat consumed makes it way to the liver where it is transformed into cholesterol increasing the risk of artery clogging plaque deposits.
But cholesterol needs assistance in making its way through the body. This assistance comes in the form of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density protein (LDL). For the cholesterol catching a ride on HDL the trip will be short and sweet eventually ending up in the intestines and exiting the body. On the other hand those cholesterol molecules picked up by LDL will be in for a wild ride traveling through the arteries to destinations unknown.
But here lies the problem with elevated blood lipids. When elevated blood lipids occur most of these tiny fat particles are picked up by LDL (bad cholesterol) and high levels of LDL are associated with a buildup of plaque in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis and heart disease.
What can be done about elevated blood lipids?
Occasionally, genetic disorders such as hypercholesterolemia make controlling elevated blood lipids very challenging, probably requiring a prescription medication. These cases account for only about 2 percent of cholesterol and blood fat related problems. Nevertheless, it might be a good idea to talk with your physician about having a lipid profile done to rule out this possibility.
Once we know that our elevated blood lipids aren’t caused by a genetic disorder then we can move forward with confidence, taking steps to reduce these potentially dangerous blood fats. Let’s look at four simple steps to accomplish this.
*Small low saturated fat meals: Nothing will produce elevated blood lipids faster than eating large meals high in saturated fat and cholesterol. A few simple heart healthy ideas are to substitute polyunsaturated fat foods (fish and soybeans) for high saturated fat foods, keep meat servings down to 4 ounces or less with overall meal serving small, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
*Soluble fiber foods can help: Soluble fiber is a party pooper for elevated blood lipids. The reason is that soluble fiber (oat meal, oat bran, whole grains, fruit pulp, beans) bind with blood lipids, including cholesterol, in the intestines and escort it out of the body before it has a chance to end up in the arteries.
*Stay active: Exercise has many positive effects when it comes to elevated blood lipids with perhaps the most important being that of raising good cholesterol (HDL) and lowering bad cholesterol (LDL). This means fewer fat molecules traveling through your arteries thus reducing the chances of arterial plaque deposits forming.
*Consider supplements: With each passing day it seems the benefits of supplementation in relation to heart and artery health becomes more clear. The three that have shown that are considered by many to be the most helpful are omega 3 fish oil high in DHA/EPA; vitamins B12, B6, and folic acid; and natural cholesterol reduction supplements.
About the Author
Rob Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field.
Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at purchase remedies.com
Antonio Gotto, Jr. talks about lipid disorders
Metabolism Masterclass