A human body, although complicated from within looks simple and beautiful outside. There are many different parts and number of small arteries and veins running throughout the body. Though every small part is important, inside the body, the most important is the heart and the brain, without which the normal functioning of a human body is impossible.
Cardiovascular disease is the most common disease affecting majority of the population worldwide. It is related to the problems associated with the heart and the blood vessels, that is the arteries and the veins. Any problem in these parts can lead to serious illness like heart attack, hypertension, and cerebrovascular problems, which can also result in death.
One aspect that largely contributes to the cardiovascular disease is the cholesterol. Cholesterol is a substance which is waxy and soft that is found in the blood and the body cells. The cholesterol is produced by the body itself in the required proportion. But the food that we take also contains cholesterol and contributes to the increase of the cholesterol level in the body, especially if our diet is rich in fats. The excessive cholesterol in the body starts accumulating and gradually builds walls in the arteries that supply the blood to different parts of the body. As a result, the arteries narrow down and obstruct the flow of the blood which leads to cardiovascular diseases.
Therefore, keeping the cholesterol levels under control is a very important factor. This can be effectively achieved by proper diet and regular exercises. The intake of food which is rich in fiber is very important. The fiber largely helps the digestive track in the body and also helps in lowering the excessive cholesterol in the body. This ultimately helps to keep the cardiovascular disease under control.
These fibers are present in large numbers in most of the vegetables and fruits. A grapefruit is said to be high in fibers, and contains "pectin-a form of soluble fiber" which has been observed by scientists to reduce the excessive cholesterol level in the body.
Since the grapefruit is available in almost all the season, and is tangy, one can have them daily to protect themselves against cholesterol related diseases. In some instances, it's difficult to consume the necessary amount of daily fiber and you may need to incorporate a fiber supplement, such as Profibe, into your diet.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does chemotherapy and alcohol consumption effect cholesterol?
By: Ann39047 | 23-08-2008
My lipid blood chemistry has significantly increased in the 15 months since I've been diagnosed and treated for ovarian cancer. Diet and exercise have not helped, however, I have not changed my moderate alcohol consumption. Zocor caused leg cramping so I stopped. My total cholesterol has gone from 210 to 450 in 15 months. I've been very healthy and very active with proper weight all my life, but in my family there is a history of high cholesterol, high BP and cardiac problems. Chemotherapy ended one year ago. I plan is to begin Crestor 5 mg and limit alcohol to 1 serving per day. Why are my blood lipids elevating? Has my liver function been effected by the chemotherapy? Could I have developed an intolerance for metabolizing alcohol and cholesterol? Is my plan regarding Crestor and limiting alcohol reasonable?
Is beef good for you?
By: alicekel | 15-08-2008
Is beef good for you?
How hard it is to make bread?
By: alicekel | 14-08-2008
How hard it is to make bread?
Getting Off Cholesterol Meds
By: David Osterfeld | 22-07-2008
How does a person know if they are able to quit taking cholesterol medications?
Cholesterol-?statins
By: barbkayh | 19-06-2008
My cholesterol is 320 but my Ldl is double what it should be so my ratio is normal.Should I be taking a statin?I take synthyroid for non functiony thyroid gland that could affect it.Barb
Does grapefruit seed extract conflict with cholesterol medications?
By: weedsflower | 12-06-2008
I take a medication to lower my cholesterol. Is it safe to take grapefruit seed extract with it? I know grapefruit isn't safe, but what about GSE?
Q&A Powered by:
More from Suzi Parsell
Lowering Cholesterol Naturally - Exercise Your Way to Lower Cholesterol
By: Suzi Parsell | 14/08/2008 | Health
A change in diet may help in lowering cholesterol levels but benefits are rarely maximized without the help of exercise. Exercise is extremely important in reducing the risks of heart disease.
Walking is a very effective form of exercise for lowering cholesterol. It is a low impact activity yet it is...
Joint Disorders Unraveled - 9 Risk Factors That Cause Joint Pain
By: Suzi Parsell | 22/06/2008 | Disabilities
You've probably heard it a hundred times joint pain is merely the cause of aging and nothing else. This is a myth. In fact, joint disorders are caused by different factors all leading to pain and related stress.
All About Good and Bad Cholesterol
By: Suzi Parsell | 22/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Not all cholesterol is bad. There's a certain type of cholesterol which we need for certain valuable body functions. Our bodies need that "good" cholesterol to build cell walls, produce hormones, and digest dietary fats.
Lyprinol - a Natural Arthritis Pain Relief Remedy
By: Suzi Parsell | 22/04/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Arthritis is one of the common illnesses that many people suffer from. It is characterized by the swelling of the joints, and is often accompanied by pain and redness of the affected area. The most common cases of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
6 Misconceptions and Cholesterol Myths
By: Suzi Parsell | 22/04/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Due to bad press and publicity, cholesterol takes on a very bad reputation and majority of us have these misconceptions. It is very crucial to learn the facts about cholesterol, how it affects health and how an individual can manage his/her cholesterol level effectively.
Triglycerides - an Overview
By: Suzi Parsell | 22/04/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
When you're doctor tells you that your body mass index (BMI) or your blood pressure is high you exactly know what he is talking about, right? But when he suggests that you should lower your triglycerides, you might wonder. What are triglycerides and why do they matter?
How Effective is Lyprinol as an Anti-inflammatory Agent?
By: Suzi Parsell | 29/02/2008 | Medicine
When our bodies undergo biological, physical, or chemical injury, the process of inflammation is its normal reaction. Generally, it helps repair or regenearate the damaged cells and tissues. But in some cases, the inflammatory process overshoots and does more harm than good. This is where Lyprinol comes in.
9 Causes of High Cholesterol
By: Suzi Parsell | 01/02/2008 | Health
High cholesterol level or hypercholesterolemia is a condition where levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream are higher that normal. Contrary to popular beliefs, hypercholesterolemia isn't caused by high-cholesterol diet alone - it is a combination and interaction of different factors.