Cholesterol
Explained
We've all been told to keep our cholesterol down, because
high cholesterol leads to hardened arteries, coronary heart
disease and even strokes.
However, cholesterol gets a bad rap. Unwanted and
unloved, the waxy compound earns its reputation from the company
it keeps. On its own, cholesterol is quite handy around
the body. It helps form cell membranes and it is crucial
for growth in babies.
A cholesterol molecule is a lipid, which is a category of
water-insoluble substances such as waxes, oils and fats.
Because it can't dissolve in water or watery substances like
blood, cholesterol can't move around in the bloodstream on its
own. It has to catch a ride.
In order to travel around the body, cholesterol combines with
protein, forming a lipoprotein. The protein actually coats
the cholesterol. However, not all lipoproteins are created
equal.
When the lipoprotein has more protein than cholesterol, it
resembles a Ferrari, gunning through your body without stopping
until the cholesterol arrives at your liver, where it is
converted into bile acids. These Ferraris are high-density
lipoproteins (HDLs), which most of us just call "good"
cholesterol.
When the lipoprotein has more cholesterol than protein,
however, this makes for a rickety ride, and that jalopy doesn't
get too far. Cells have special receptors that bind
tightly to these lipoproteins as they pass. This
low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, sputters
down the road, careening off the arteries, running into things
and leaving bits all over the place.
While the HDL Ferrari sees a pileup and nimbly speeds around
it, the LDL jalopy crashes right into it, adding to the jumble
of tangled fenders and tailpipes (or platelets and plaque).
The HDLs actually are kind enough to offer a lift to any
stray LDLs they encounter. The problem is that our levels
of HDLs and LDLs get out of whack. There are more crazy
LDLs lurking around than there are responsible HDLs to pick them
up.
Another Benefit of Seven Essentials ... Improve Cholesterol!
Seven Essentials contains
RiSoTriene which reduces
the adherence of cholesterol plaque to arterial walls, allowing
them to be more flexible and less prone to high blood pressure.
The components found in RiSoTriene, such as Gamma
Oryzanol, Phytosterols (including beta sistosterol), Inositol
and Omega-3, work to lower LDLs (bad cholesterol) while raising
HDLs (good cholesterol). |
