High Cholesterol and Triglyceride:

part of cell membranes. Also all male and female hormones are chemically made from cholesterol.

Lipoproteins are large molecules that transport lipids (cholesterol and triglyceride) and fat-soluble vitamins from the liver and intestine to the tissues and vice versa. The lipoproteins in the blood are classified into five major classes based on their relative densities. They are chylomicron, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

Most triglyceride is carried in chylomicron and VLDL, and most cholesterol is transported in LDL and HDL. Cholesterol is transported by LDL from the liver to the tissues, and it is carried back to the liver and intestine by HDL. This is why LDL and HDL are often called as bad cholesterol and good cholesterol, respectively.

An increase in the blood levels of LDL and TG and a decrease in the blood level HDL would increase the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Normal levels of fats in the blood are as follows:

Potential causes of high levels of LDL and TG:

1. Genetics and familial.
2. Dietary factors:
   
   1. Diets high in cholesterol, saturated and Trans fats.
   2. Diets high in carbohydrates.
   3. Diets high in calories.
   4. Diets low in fiber.
   5. Diets low in essential fatty acids.
3. Sedentary life style and lack of physical activities.
4. Stress.
5. Medical conditions: diabetes, hypothyroidism, cholestasis, nephrotic syndrome, anorexia nervosa, Cushing’s syndrome, and hepatoma (liver tumor). Since the liver is the principle site of formation and clearance of lipids, liver diseases could have different impacts on lipid profiles. Hepatitis increases the level of TG slightly, while severe hepatitis and liver failure are associated with a significant decrease in the blood levels of cholesterol and TG due to a decrease in liver ability to synthesize lipoproteins.  
6. Medications: thiazides, cyclosporin, and tegretol.
7. Alcohol and estrogen increase TG level. Estrogen and regular alcohol consumption increase both VLDL and HDL. Triglyceride level should be monitored in regular alcohol users, when taking birth control pills, and during postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy.

Potential causes of low level of HDL:

1. Diabetes type II.
2. Obesity.
3. Smoking.
4. Lack of exercise.
5. Medical conditions: Gaucher`s disease.
6. Medications: anabolic steroids, and beta-blockers.
7. Malnutrition.

Nutritional Supports:

Restricted Foods:

1. Saturated, hydrogenated, and Trans – fats.
2. Sugars and sweets.
3. Fried foods.
4. Processed foods.
5. Foods with glycemic index over 55 (See “Glycemic Index” under the section of “Carbohydrates“).
6. Sodas.
7. Alcohol.
8. High fat dairy products.
9. Egg yolk. A medium egg yolk contains 210 mg of cholesterol.
10. Pork.
11. Beef liver.
12. Shrimp. 100 grams (3 oz) of shrip provide about 190 mg of cholesterol.
13. Vegetable shortenings (shortening is a fat that is solid at room temperature and is used in cooking, baking, grilling and making pastries).

Recommended Foods:

1. Drink plenty of water: at least 2 liters a day.
2. Whole grains.
3. Foods high in fiber: lentils, beans, avocado, oats, and artichoke.
4. Foods high in omega-3: fish, flaxseeds, chia, and hemp seeds.
5. Fruits and vegetables high in flavonoids: berries, red grapes, grapefruit, pomegranate, sea buckthorn, persimmon, kiwi, beets, basil, garlic, parsley, radish, radicchio, rhubarb and parsnips.
6. Garlic.
7. Onion.
8. Foods with glycemic index less than 55 (See “Glycemic Index” under the section of “Carbohydrates“).
9. Nuts.
10. Spices: cinnamon, turmeric, oregano, basil, cayenne, sumac, and rosemary.
11. Ginger.
12. Chlorella and spirulina.
13. Olive oil.
14. Fruits and vegetables high in phytosterols: acai berry, goji berry, lemon, persimmon, plum, sea buckthorn, strawberry, alfalfa sprouts, amaranth, avocado, beets, bell pepper, cabbage, celery, cucumber, eggplant, onion, potatoes, pumpkin, tomatoes, turnip, turnip greens, and yams.
15. Green tea.
16. Maitake mushroom. It contains beta-D-glucan that lowers both LDL and TG.
17. Soy products.

Recommended Supplements:

1. Niacin (vitamin B3): 1000 – 3000 mg a day. Niacin lowers LDL and TG and increases HDL. The most frequent side effect of niacin is skin flushing, which is mediated by the release of prostaglandins D2 and E2. The skin flushing is a harmless but bothersome reaction that usually starts within 10 – 20 minutes after taking niacin and often lasts up to 30 minutes. Flushing can be reduced by one of the followings: 1) starting at lower doses and gradually increasing to higher doses, 2) taking no-flush or sustained-released forms, 3) taking 300 mg of aspirin about 30 minutes before taking niacin, 4) taking 200 – 400 mg of Advil per day, and 5) taking niacin along with meals. CAUTION: niacin should not be taken by people with peptic ulcer and liver disease. It can also raise uric acid level, increasing risk of attacks in gout, and fasting blood sugar level.
2. French Maritime Pine Bark Extract: 100 – 200 mg a day. It is a potent antioxidant that can help lower blood sugar and LDL levels.
3. Grape Seed Extract: 50 – 100 mg a day.
4. Omega – 3 Fatty Acids: 3 – 4 grams a day. Omega-3 lowers TG level. It may increase LDL level in some patients and garlic supplement may prevent from this.
5. Beta – Glucan: 3 – 10 grams a day. Beta-glucan is a type of fiber found in oats, barley, and maitake mushroom and can lower cholesterol.
6. Co – Enzyme Q 10: 200 – 300 mg a day. It is a powerful antioxidant that can help lower cholesterol level.
7. HMB (beta-Hydroxy beta-Methyl Butyrate): 1 – 3 grams a day. It is the metabolite of the amino acid lucine and naturally can be found in catfish, grapefruit, and alfalfa. It can lower cholesterol level.
8. Chromium Picolinate: 500 – 1000 mcg. It improves glucose tolerance, helps lower LDL, and increases HDL.
9. Beta – Sitosterol: 1000 – 5000 mg a day. It is a plant sterol that inhibits the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine.
10. Red Yeast Rice: 1200 – 2400 mg a day. It contains fiber, plant sterols, and different monacolins, and reduces both LDL and TG.
11. Policosanol: 10 -20 mg a day. It is a long chain alcohol extracted from sugar cane or beewax and helps reduce LDL and TG.
12. Pantethine: 900 mg a day. It is an active form of vitamin B5 and reduces total cholesterol, LDL and TG and increases HDL level.
13. Glucomannan: 4 – 10 grams a day. It is a water soluble fiber that helps control blood sugar and cholesterol. It may be used in weight management and constipation as well.
14. L – Carnitine: 1000 – 3000 mg a day. It helps lower cholesterol and TG levels.
15. PGX: 3000 – 4500 mg a day. It is a water-soluble fiber that helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
16. Fenugreek: 10 – 40 grams a day, or as tincture 3 – 4 ml up to three times a day. This herb helps lower blood sugar, LDL and TG levels. The active ingredients responsible for it benefits are trigonelline, lysine, L-tryptophan, and saponins.
17. Psyllium: 5 – 20 grams a day. It is a bulk-forming laxative that contains insoluble fiber and mucilage. It is generally used for constipation, and it may reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well.
18. Garlic: 600 – 900 mg a day. The active ingredients in garlic are allicin, ajoene, alliin, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. It reduces both LDL and TG and increases HDL.
19. Guggul Extract (containing 5% guggulsterones): 750 mg a day. It lowers LDL and TG, and increases HDL.
20. Chitosan: 2000 – 4000 mg a day. It is a polysaccharide extracted from shrimp, crab and lobster. Being considered as a soluble fiber, chitosan may slow down the absorption of fats in foods. As a fat blocker, it may be used in weight management as well.
21. Digestive Enzymes: A full spectrum product.
22. Probiotics: a product that provides 5 to 10 billion organisms per serving.
23. Vitamin B – Complex: A high potency product.

Miscellaneous Suggestions:

1. Exercise.
2. Liver detoxification.
3. Colon cleansing.