Noni Juice and Cholesterol
What is Cholesterol?:
Cholesterol is a white, waxy substance which, despite its bad reputation, is essential for life. Without cholesterol our bodies could not manufacture a number of important hormones, and it also forms the outer membrane of some cells.
Our liver manufactures about 70 to 80% of our cholesterol, while the rest comes from the food we eat. In fact, our liver makes all the cholesterol we need, so if we eat too much or eat the wrong type of food, we get too much cholesterol circulating in our blood. It then gets stuck on the blood vessel walls, narrowing the vessels and increasing the risk of heart disease.
While a high saturated fat diet is the usual cause of a high blood cholesterol level, some people have a high level because of an inherited susceptibility. A high cholesterol level may also result from an under-active thyroid gland, chronic renal (kidney) failure, or excessive alcohol consumption.
Measuring blood cholesterol:
Your blood cholesterol level can be measured from a blood sample, which can be arranged by your doctor. You may need to fast before giving the sample. Your test results may show three or four cholesterol results.
Cholesterol will not dissolve in water or blood as it is fatty. It needs to be carried around the body in the bloodstream - to and from the liver, to cells around the body - by water-soluble molecules known as lipoproteins. Cholesterol is carried by different types of lipoproteins, depending on whether cholesterol is being transported to or from the liver, and it is these that are measured.
The different lipoproteins are characterised by how dense they are:
VLDL; very low density lipoproteins
LDL; low density lipoproteins (the “bad” form of cholesterol, responsible for narrowing and blocking arteries)
HDL; high density lipoproteins (the “good” form, responsible for returning surplus cholesterol back to the liver).
Your Total Cholesterol measurement includes all of these, and you may also be given your Triglycerides measurement (another important fat) and your “Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio”, which should be under 4.5.
Dietary Changes to Lower High Cholesterol:
Dietary and lifestyle changes should be the first method of lowering cholesterol. Diet has been researched as a factor in cholesterol and heart disease for several decades and many countries.
The first dietary change should be to eliminate trans-fatty acids and reduce all saturated fat. Diets high in saturated fats (red meat or animal meat) have been shown to increase cholesterol and heart disease. This includes saturated fat from dairy products.
Hidden sources of fat can be found in processed foods, especially as trans-fatty acids and hydrogenated oils. These trans-fatty acids are harmful to the body and are much worse than saturated fats for heart disease. Trans-fatty acids and hydrogenated oils actually inhibit the formation and utilization of the good fatty acids. Trans-fatty acids are found in abundance in margarine and vegetable shortening, but are rarely found in nature.
Fish contains good fats, called essential fatty acids, which are beneficial to the body and have a positive effect on cholesterol and also have a range of other positive health effects. Eggs in the diet have had much controversy, but now it is believed they have little effect on blood lipids. Frying eggs (or any fried foods) contribute to a higher fat content and increased risk of heart disease. For individuals with a current or a history of high cholesterol or heart disease it is still a good idea to limit eggs.
Vegetarians have lower cholesterol and less heart disease than people who eat meat, in part because they avoid animal fat. Vegans (people who eat no meat, dairy, or eggs) have the lowest cholesterol levels. Switching from a standard diet to a vegan diet, along with other lifestyle changes, has been reported to reverse heart disease. Diets high in fibre have been shown to reduce cholesterol, especially water soluble fibre found in oats, barley, beans, fresh fruits and some vegetables.
Lifestyle Changes to Lower High Cholesterol:
Making lifestyle changes can be difficult. As we grow older, we develop habits and lifestyles that are enjoyable to us, but it is often too much of a “good” thing that can result in health issues over time. Eating too much, and eating the wrong food, drinking alcohol every day, lack of exercise all contribute to an unhealthy body over the years. The fact that we enjoy there pastimes makes giving them up all the more difficult.
Experience has shown that any changes to our lifestyle should be done slowly if we are to have long-term success. Have one alcohol-free day per week. After you realise how good that feels the next day, you will probably be motivated to extend that to 2, then 3, then possibly 4 alcohol-free days over a period of time. Believe me – your body will thank you!
Try the same approach to diet and exercise - and be aware of your body’s responses. Once you slowly introduce healthy foods into your diet, you will start to feel so much better and less sluggish that the motivation is there to make further changes. A daily walk will not only help cholesterol levels, it will improve blood flow, exercise joints, help the lungs, clear the mind and get endorphins (the feel good neurotransmitter produced in the brain) roaring around your body.
If you are a smoker, stopping smoking is one thing you can do for your health that will help not only reduce your risk of heart disease but improve overall health. Smokers have lower levels of HDL, the ‘good’ cholesterol. Exercise, even moderate walking, can reduce cholesterol and improve the LDL/HDL ratio. Thirty minutes walking, at least 5 times a week is recommended. Being overweight contributes to a number of chronic diseases, and obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Shedding extra weight improves the ratio of LDL/HDL. Limiting alcohol consumption has also shown to lower cholesterol.
Medical Treatment for High Cholesterol:
It is important to seek the advice of a medical practitioner if high cholesterol is diagnosed as this can lead to serious heart-related conditions. Dietary and lifestyle changes should be the first method of lowering cholesterol. If changing your diet and increasing your activity does not improve your high cholesterol levels, your doctor may advise you to take a cholesterol-lowering drug, depending on other heart risk factors.
Statin medications are the usual treatment prescribed by a doctor. Common side effects from this class of medications are skin rashes, bowel changes, muscle aches associated with electrolytes changes, known as myopathy. This can lead to rhabdomyolysis, the breaking down of muscle tissue and resulting in kidney damage. These medications can affect liver function, so there is a potential for various liver problems. Liver function tests should be done by anyone considering statin medications before initiating treatment and regularly thereafter.
Noni and Cholesterol:
Phytochemicals are the chemicals found in plants, many of which are so vital for our well being. People usually take supplements such as Noni not just for the extra vitamins and minerals their body requires, but to provide the chemistry to help ward off or heal infections and diseases. Noni is a good source of antioxidants and Vitamin C, and is relatively high in potassium (K). Potassium is associated with many health benefits such as a healthy heart rhythm, muscular contraction, nerve function and energy production.
Noni also contains niacin. Niacin, vitamin B3, is the most studied vitamin for cholesterol, and has demonstrated better overall results than most prescription medications. Niacin effects blood levels by reducing LDL, and elevates HDL levels. One of niacin’s unique properties is its ability to help you naturally relax and get to sleep more rapidly at night. And it is well established that niacin helps reduce harmful cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Another niacin feature is its ability to greatly reduce anxiety and depression.
The lifestyle and dietary changes required to lower high cholesterol bring so many other health benefits that an overall improvement in mind and body follow. Many ailments can be attributed to the way we live our lives, and any changes we make for the better pay off in our overall wellbeing.
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yo llevo tiempo tomando noni. No se como funciona pero la verdad es que tampoco me importa en demasiado cuando resuelve mi problema