We often see children on the Autism spectrum who have low cholesterol, but there is an effective treatment to help raise it. The medical community has focused for years on the issues with high cholesterol. Very little focus has been given to low cholesterol, in fact many doctors would encourage low cholesterol to help avoid heart disease. Indeed we know that high cholesterol does increase our risk factors for thinks like heart disease and stroke. But low cholesterol can impact hormone development, the immune system as well as the nervous system.

As with many health issues, cholesterol levels require a balanced approach. Sodium and potassium levels are similar, if they are too high that can cause problems and if they are too low that also causes problems. Cholesterol is very crucial to hormone development. Cholesterol is the precursor to testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and DHEA, also known as the sex hormones. Cholesterol is also a precursor to the stress hormone cortisol.

Cortisol is necessary for regulation of inflammation as well as sodium and potassium levels. In addition to being very important for hormone development, Cholesterol is also crucial for immune system function and brain development. The cell membranes are made up largely of cholesterol. The cholesterol helps with cell communication, when the membrane is pliable, it enables cells to cell communication. Myelin is the covering of nerve cells and it aids in the speed of conductivity of electrical impulses. Cholesterol is also critical for myelin production.

It becomes very apparent just how important cholesterol is to our bodies. Through the research of Dr. William Shaw and the Great Plains Lab, it was shown than many children with Autism have low cholesterol levels. SLOS is a genetic disorder where the sufferer has extremely low cholesterol levels. People with SLOS can often have cholesterol levels in the 50’s and 60’, sometimes even lower than that. While there are some physical characteristics that go along with SLOS, there are also some behavioral ones as well. People with SLOS can be aggressive, have irritability, be self injurious, and have learning and cognitive problems, and some also have Autism.

My own work, and the work of Dr. Shaw, has also confirmed that many children with Autism have low cholesterol. And while their levels may not be as low as the children with SLOS, they are still not in the optimal range. I have had a patient in my practice with levels in that range, 65 was the lowest. 170 to 180 is the optimal cholesterol range. Behavior problems, learning problems and aggression has been shown to manifest in children with cholesterol levels below 160. 110 to 120 seems to be the average range of cholesterol levels for the children I see in my practice. It was thought that the only way to raise cholesterol was to eat egg, brain or liver. Liver and brain are not commonly in many children’s diets. Eggs have 250 mg of cholesterol in each egg and people with SLOS had to eat many eggs each day to raise their cholesterol levels significantly.

Now we have a solution in Sonic Cholesterol. Sonic Cholesterol is from New Beginnings, one of the supplement companies I recommend. It is not derived from eggs and is hypo-allergenic. Sonic has 250 mg of cholesterol per capsule. Sonic can be a very nice choice to help raise your child’s cholesterol level to the normal range. In my practice, I have not seen levels go from being too low to being too high using Sonic either. It usually takes months of supplementation to see rises in cholesterol levels. However, cognitive and behavioral improvement often happens fairly quickly.

I have seen this to be a very effective therapy in my practice. But it is important to work with a doctor in regards to cholesterol levels. New Beginnings does not sell Sonic Cholesterol to the general public, you must have a doctor’s approval to order it. Blood testing is wise every few months to check for improvements. When your child’s cholesterol reaches between 170 and 180, or what is considered optimal levels, you can reduce your dosage from a therapeutic dose down to a maintenance dose. I feel that Sonic is a very effective treatment for low cholesterol in children with Autism.

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Cholesterol is not a life-threatening toxin, but a medium-sized molecule that is really a building block for important parts of the body. In particular it is an essential component of cell membranes. Cholesterol also stabilizes a cell against temperature changes. It is a major part of the membranes of the nervous system, the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves.

High Cholesterol Diet Tips: –

Some people may use natural products, such as herbs and spices, to help lower their cholesterol. Some of these treatments are effective, but some of them won’t help your cholesterol at all. If you decide to try a natural supplement, talk to your healthcare provider first, since some of these products could interact with other medications you are taking.

Lifestyle changes play a vital role in lowering your cholesterol, but they can be the most challenging, too. Changing your diet, exercising more, losing weight and/or quitting smoking are all healthy ways that you can help lower your cholesterol. In some cases, changing your lifestyle could help you to avoid taking medications to lower your cholesterol.

* Low Fat, Low Cholesterol Diet
* Drinking alcohol Excessively
* Stress
* Lowering Your Cholesterol through Exercise
* Stop Smoking Now

Low Cholesterol Diet Tips: –

A low cholesterol diet is not hard to follow, given the variety of foods available. Many food manufacturers also have low fat, low cholesterol foods available for people who do not have the time to fix elaborate meals.

In order to lower cholesterol with diet, you will need to reduce the amount of fat in your diet. People who want to lower their cholesterol will need to eat mostly low-fat foods. Here are some of the low-fat, low-cholesterol foods you can choose from.
* Fruit and green vegetables.
* Seeds.
* Nuts.
* Fish.
* Whole grains.
* Brown rice.

Herbal Remedies for Cholesterol: –

Garlic: According to some studies, garlic may decrease blood levels of total cholesterol by a few percentage points. Other studies, however, suggest that it may not be as beneficial as once thought. It may also have significant side effects and/or interactions with certain medications.

Guggul: – It has been shown to lower blood-fat levels while raising levels of HDL, the so called “good cholesterol”. It is useful in atherosclerosis, psoriasis and cardiac ischemia. It has been shown that Guggul can lower blood cholesterol by 14-27% and can lower triglycerides by 22-30%.

Arjuna: – Arjuna is a coronary vasodilator. It protects the heart, strengthens circulation, and helps to maintain the tone and health of the heart muscle. It is also useful in stopping bleeding and to promote healing after a heart attack. Current scientific research has proved that arjuna contains specific medically active.

Benefits of Exercise: -You probably know that exercise helps you increase your muscle mass and reduce your body fat levels. Aerobic exercise in particular helps you improve your cardiovascular health. As you learned, another of benefit of exercise is that it aids in your whole body detox and cleansing program.

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There is an increasing body of evidence that shows the serious dangers of high cholesterol medications like statin drugs. Although they are effective at lowering cholesterol, they also lower other crucial substances that keep you healthy.

These high cholesterol medications have been touted as “wonder drugs” but only by the pharmaceutical companies that make them and the doctors that profit by prescribing them!

They have two major problems – they reduce the production of an essential enzyme called CoQ10 and can also lower your cholesterol too much.

CoQ10 is essential for producing energy in all the cells in your body, destroys harmful free radicals and is crucial for the health of all tissue, cells and organs. A lack of this can set you up for long-term health problems.

As they are not a natural substance, they can force your cholesterol down too much which is bad as you need a certain amount to function properly. Low levels can lead to brain malfunction, memory loss and depression.

Other known side effects are sleeplessness, nausea, extreme muscle weakness, breathlessness, sickness, weight gain and impotence.

With the risk so high, why take the chance on high cholesterol medications?

Some of the best natural cholesterol remedies have proven to be more effective than these statin drugs and work with your body rather than against it.

What they help to achieve is the right balance between your good (HDL and bad (LDL) levels. The best ingredients come in a liquid capsule form for maximum effect and absorption and will lower your LDL while increasing the HDL levels significantly.

The best ingredients are policosanol, phytosterols, D-Limonene, rice bran oil and theaflavins which all combine synergistically to maintain a natural ratio and help to reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

I hope you can see the dangers of using high cholesterol medications and how a natural remedy can be more effective and much safer.

If you would like to learn more about the effective and natural cholesterol balancing supplements I personally use and recommend, visit my website below today.

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Part 1: What is Cholesterol and Why Do We Need to Control It?

Cholesterol is not all bad. In fact, we do need cholesterol to support and build healthy cells. It also helps to produce hormones responsible for regulating blood sugar, inflammation, muscle mass, blood pressure, and reproductive capability. However, too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, coronary heart disease and stroke.

There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, and many people are confused about the difference. The best way to understand it is to learn how it works. Two types of lipids can carry cholesterol to and from the cells where it can be used.

The first type, HDL (high density lipoprotein), carries cholesterol from the arteries to the liver where it can be processed by the body. HDL is responsible for removing some of the cholesterol from plaque, making it less dangerous over time. Higher levels of HDL tend to protect against coronary heart disease.

The other type of cholesterol carrying lipid is LDL (low density lipoprotein). LDL is the lipid that carries cholesterol from the liver to the tissues where it is needed. So, even though it is called “bad cholesterol”, it is actually needed by the body. It is typically called “bad cholesterol” in comparison with HDL’s ability to remove cholesterol from the arteries.

Too much LDL cholesterol in the blood is believed to cause a layer to form on the walls of the arteries. This build-up is sticky and other substances bind to it, causing the layer to harden and become plaque. Left untreated, plaque continues to build and harden, narrowing the passageways inside of the arteries. The artery becomes stiff and lets less and less blood through. Small blood clots can suddenly block the passage and a stroke or heart attack can suddenly happen, without warning.

High LDL levels are generally associated with plaque build-up, hardening of the arteries, heart attack and stroke. Higher levels of HDL generally keep these problems from getting worse and can significantly lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Eating saturated fats and trans fats (like partially hydrogenated oil) can quickly raise your LDL levels. The risks associated with high LDL levels compound if you have other health issues, like high blood pressure or diabetes. Your risks are even higher if you do not get adequate daily exercise or if you smoke.

The good news is that you can greatly lower your cholesterol levels and improve your health by making a few simple changes in your lifestyle. Exercise alone can lower LDL levels and raise your HDL levels. Eat a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. These foods contain niacin, which is a B vitamin that lowers LDL cholesterol, reduces triglycerides, and raises HDL cholesterol.

Be sure you check with your doctor before you buy vitamins so that you get the correct dosage for your body. Niacin taken to reduce cholesterol may need to be taken in a higher dosage than is normally recommended. You need to be monitored by your doctor while taking niacin to recognize side effects or drug interactions, especially if you are on blood pressure medication. Additionally, make sure that you are healthy enough to safely maintain the level of exercise that you choose.

Part 2 of the “High Cholesterol” series will focus on cholesterol maintenance and pinpoint why treatment with statins may not be the best option for you.

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There can be many reasons as to what causes high cholesterol with genetics, lifestyle and weight all playing a part. Understanding where cholesterol comes from can help you find the best remedy and protect you from heart disease and premature death.

For a small number of people it can be in the genes. These people inherit a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which means that very high cholesterol levels run in the family.

Diet is another factor and one which has too much saturated and trans fats can lead to higher levels of the LDL (bad) cholesterol. These are commonly found in dairy products, fast foods and high fat meats.

The best foods to eat more of are fruit and vegetables, nuts, oatmeal and fatty fish like tuna and hoki.

Lack of exercise and being overweight both contribute to higher levels. With regular exercise you can lower the bad type and can actually raise your HDL (good type). Even a thirty minute walk each day can really help.

The main thing to realize is not to get to focussed on your total cholesterol levels but instead the ratio between the LDL and HDL. Too much LDL can block your arteries and lead to a heart attack or stroke while more HDL is good for you as it clears away excess LDL and returns it to the liver for elimination.

While I am talking about what causes high cholesterol, it is important to mention that most is produced by your liver so any changes to your diet only have so much effect.

The addition of a natural cholesterol supplement containing ingredients like Policosanol, D-Limonene, Phytosterols, Pumpkin and Rice Bran oil will help significantly. They help to reduce the production of bad cholesterol, reduce absorption and increase your good level while lowering the bad one.

If you use a combination of these tips for improving your diet and ensuring you get the right specific nutrients then you can help yourself to avoid potentially deadly disease and help to maintain good health.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality cholesterol balancing supplements I personally take, visit my website below today.

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