1. CHOLESTEROL THE SILENT KILLER
Presented by
Gary Glisson, RPh

2. Almost 75% of Your Health and Life Expectancy is Based on Lifestyle, Environment and Nutrition.

3. What is Cholesterol?
Soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells.
Used for producing cell membranes and some hormones, and serves other needed bodily functions.
But too high a level of cholesterol in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack. It's also a risk factor for stroke

4. How Do You Get Cholesterol
Your body makes some of it.
The rest comes from cholesterol in animal products that you eat, such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, cheese and whole milk.
Foods from Plants like fruits and vegetables don’t have cholesterol

5. Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood
Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoprotein
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as the "bad" cholesterol. Too much LDL cholesterol can clog your arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as the "good" cholesterol. Your body makes HDL cholesterol for your protection. It carries cholesterol away from your arteries. Studies suggest that high levels of HDL cholesterol reduce your risk of heart attack.

6. What is the Difference Between LDL and HDL
When too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis
About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because a high level of it seems to protect against heart attack. Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaque in arteries, thus slowing the buildup.

7. What are Healthy Levels of Cholesterol?
Your total blood cholesterol level Your total blood cholesterol will fall into one of these categories: Desirable — Less than 200 mg/dL Borderline high risk — 200–239 mg/dL High risk — 240 mg/dL and over

8. When “Good” Cholesterol Goes Bad
New research suggests that some people’s HDL is more protective for their hearts than others and that certain proteins in HDL can exacerbate vessel damage, particularly in people with heart disease
Research found in HDL a whole series of proteins play role in metabolism

9. What Can I do? Eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Lose weight if you need to.
Exercise for a total of at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week
Increase soluble fiber in diet
Increase fruit and vegetable
Limit alcohol

10. Anti-Cholesterol Drugs Oversold and Overvalued?
Side Effects of Lipitor, Zocor (Simvastin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Pravachol (Pravastatin)
Deplete the body of an important anti-oxidant CoQ10 found in almost all of the cells in the body. Critical for the energy in each cell. Muscles in general and the heart muscle suffer if CoQ10 is depleted
Weakness, Lethargy, Flu-Like Symptoms
Muscle Weakness/muscle pain
Liver problems/toxicity
Mental Fogginess

11. Doctor’s Often Dismiss Drug Side Effects

12. What Nutritional Supplements can Help to Lower Cholesterol?

13. Niacin Decreases Production of LDL
Use under the supervision of a Physician
Risk of liver damage
Nausea
Flushing to the skin

14. Red Yeast Rice Contains lovastatin. Same chemical found in Mevacor.
Can lower LDL up to 22%
Side-Effects
Elevated liver enzymes
Heartburn
flatulance

15. Policosanol Derived from Sugar Cane wax.
Has been studied extensively for 10 years and has been shown to be safe and effective.
Some studies confirmed the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol in specific groups, including post-menopausal women, the elderly, and people who have both diabetes and heart disease.
Also effective in treating intermittent claudication, a condition in which poor circulation in the legs causes severe leg pain during exercise.
Because policosanol reduces the tendency of blood to clot by reducing the "stickiness" of blood platelets, the tiny particles involved in clotting, it may help prevent cardiovascular disease in a manner similar to aspirin.

16. Essential Fatty Acids (Fish Oil)
Essential to the body
The body cannot manufacture these fats and must get them from food
The body uses the fats for production of healthy cell membranes as well as certain hormones called prostaglandins
One of the Best alternatives for lowering triglycerides

17. Policosanol (Continued)
Policosanol is usually taken once or twice a day (10-20mg)
Can thin the blood as much as aspirin, if you are taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen, consult your health care provider before taking policosanol. There are no known interactions with nutrients or foods

18. Benefits of Taking Fish Oil
Decrease total cholesterol and (LDL) Bad Cholesterol
Studies have shown significant clinical improvements in patients with arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus etc
Can lower blood pressure
Good for Hair, Skin, Nails
Depression
Heart Health

19. THE ONLY KNOWN SIDE EFFECT OF TAKING FISH OIL IS LONGER LIFE!

20. QUESTIONS?