Condition: High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in all parts of the body. This includes the nervous system, skin, muscle, liver, intestines, and heart. It is made by the body and also obtained from animal products in the diet.

Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver for normal body functions, including the production of hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D. It is transported in the blood to be used by all parts of the body.

More than half of the adult population has blood cholesterol levels higher than the "desirable" range. High cholesterol levels often begin in childhood. Some children may be at higher risk due to a family history of high cholesterol.

In general, you want your total cholesterol to be less than 200 mg/dl, because that level carries the least risk of heart disease. When the level is above 200 mg/dl, the risk for heart disease increases.

You should also know your levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL, also known as the "good cholesterol") and low density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad cholesterol"). Talk to your health care provider about what your cholesterol levels mean.

To lower high cholesterol levels:

• Limit total fat intake to 25% to 35% of total daily calories. Less than 7% of daily calories should be from saturated fat, not more than 10% should be from polyunsaturated fat, and not more than 20% from monounsaturated fat.
• Eat less than 200 milligrams (mg) of dietary cholesterol per day.
• Get more fiber in your diet.
• Lose weight.
• Increase physical activity.

The recommendations for children's diets are similar to those of adults. It is very important that children get enough calories to support their growth and activity level, and that the child achieve and maintain a desirable body weight.

*The above information is taken from Medline Medical Encyclopedia.

Wellness Solution

MEDNATURAL CHOLETRX (From Finland): Choletrx is a blend of plant stanols and sterols that have been shown to support a healthy cardiovascular system and will help maintain normal cholesterol levels.

Plant stanols and sterols have a structure that is very similar to that of cholesterol, and the difference between stanols and sterols is that the former are saturated and the latter are not. Sterols have functions in plants similar to that of cholesterol in animals. Foods enriched with stanols or sterols lower serum cholesterol levels by reducing intestinal absorption of cholesterol.

Product Recommendation

MEDNATURAL CHOLETRX

• Helps maintain cholesterol levels that are already within normal range.
  
• Useful as part of an overall healthy heart program.
  
• Helps block the absorption of cholesterol.
  
• Research shows that three servings a day of plant sterols can reduce cholesterol by 20 points.