Gregory Chandler - Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack. Bodybuilders, although generally healthy, are often at risk for high cholesterol because such individuals often consume a diet that is high in red meat. High cholesterol is not a disease itself, although it is often treated that way.

If you have high cholesterol, it is important to address it. However, do not think you can prevent the condition just by lowering you numbers. Although high cholesterol is considered to be a total cholesterol reading above 240 mg/dL, anyone who has a total cholesterol of over 200 mg/dL or HDL (good) cholesterol less than 40 should consult a medical doctor to work towards lowering these number to reduce the risk of heart disease.

According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, everyone age 20 and older should have his or her cholesterol levels checked at least once every five years. If an individual notices that his or her total cholesterol or cholesterol ratios are elevated or that they have shifted for the worse, you should be more aggressive in bringing your cholesterol down.

There are methods to improve your cholesterol levels. One should consume a low-fat diet that has less than 30% daily calories from saturated fat. Also helpful is the consumption of adequate amounts of fiber and especially soluble fiber. Food sources of fiber include oatmeal, kidneys beans and apples.

Studies have shown that eating a serving of oatmeal on a regular basis is one of the simplest and most effective ways of lowering LDL, the bad form of cholesterol.


GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law