Maintaining Healthy Levels Of Lipids In The Blood

Many of us are familiar with the testing procedure for high cholesterol called a lipoprotein profile that measures lipids in the blood (blood fats) such as cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, and the good cholesterol HDL. While this may be the case few outside medical circles actually discuss lipids in the blood over coffee with a friend, or around the dinner table. In this article we will talk a little about the most common types of fats racing through our bodies and some of the biggest self imposed obstacles to cardiovascular health.

Lipids in the blood are fats that cannot circulate freely in the blood because blood is mostly water. This creates a bit of a dilemma for the body, since certain blood fats such as cholesterol are essential for the production of vitamin D, and hormones such as cortisol (fight or flight hormone), testosterone, and estrogen. Our cells and muscles also depend on cholesterol and other lipids for optimal health. So it is vital that the body figure out how to load up blood lipids and get them on their way. This is accomplished by packaging them with proteins and other substances to form particles called lipoproteins.

There are five different types of lipoproteins; chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and high density lipoproteins (HDL). Each one of these tiny particles has a slightly different task to perform and is managed by the body in slightly different ways. Some, such as VLDL and LDL, are made up primarily of fats while others such as HDL (good cholesterol) are primarily protein.

But wait a minute how can lipids in the blood paired with a lot of protein travel through our arteries and satisfy our body’s requirements for cholesterol? The fact of the matter is that they can’t and that is a job solely reserved for high fat particles such as VLDL and LDL. So while we are all striving to get rid of bad cholesterol (LDL) the truth of the matter is that without it we would be in serious trouble ending up with a condition known as rhabdomyolysis wherein our muscle and cells die, flooding the bloodstream with toxins and crippling the kidneys.

The body has a number of tools at its deposal to keep lipids in the blood in balance. It can increase or decrease the production of lipoproteins and/or remove excess lipids in the blood.

But sometimes we simply overwhelm our natural balancing mechanism by consuming too much saturated fat, being inactive, smoking, or packing on the pounds. We simply don’t give our body the help it needs to accomplish its task.

A high saturated fat diet, inactivity, obesity, and smoking, along with certain disease such as diabetes and high blood pressure can produce a dangerous grouping of risk factors that neutralize the body’s defenses and cause lipids in the blood to reach dangerously high levels.

The most obvious way to combat this is by making heart healthy lifestyle changes. Others ways to manage unhealthy levels of lipids in the blood are prescription medications such as statins and niacin, omega 3 fish oil high in DHA and EPA, and our course natural cholesterol reduction supplements which should be part of any natural cardiovascular health plan.

In conclusion, maintaining healthy levels of lipids in the blood is all about balance, much of which revolves around lifestyle choices.

By: R.D. Hawkins

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R.D. 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