Cholesterol is a type of fat or lipid found in the blood. It’s manufactured by the liver and is a critical building block of cell walls, hormones, and digestive juices.
Increased levels of cholesterol lead to accumulations of it in the blood vessels and make it difficult for the blood to flow through the arteries. This results in a condition called atherosclerosis and may cause heart attacks when enough oxygen-rich blood fails to reach the heart.
A decreased blood flow to the brain due to atherosclerosis can cause a stroke. A high level of cholesterol can cause heart diseases and strokes. It leads to a high blood pressure and causes diabetes too.
Kinds of cholesterol
There are two kinds of cholesterol:
1.LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or Bad cholesterol is the one associated with increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes by causing atherosclerosis.
2. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or Good cholesterol helps in reducing the risks of heart attacks, heart diseases, and strokes.
High levels of LDL cholesterol doesn’t produce any symptoms as such. Adults are advised to get their levels tested at least once every five years. Lipid profile test or lipid panel test is the blood test associated with testing cholesterol levels.
Causes of high LDL
The most important cause for a high LDL cholesterol level in the blood is high amounts of saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol in the diet. A high level of LDL is common among people who are fat or obese.
Being overweight also reduces the HDL or good cholesterol level in the blood. Lack of physical activities also lowers good cholesterol or HDL level. Your age also plays a role as far the levels of cholesterol is concerned. The levels of LDL starts increasing once you cross 20 years of age.
Genetic factors can also cause cholesterol levels to go up. If your family members have a high cholesterol level, then you’ll most likely have it as well.
A large waist circumference is another cause. A waist circumference of 40 inches or more in men and 35 inches in women can increase cholesterol levels. A diabetic person tends to have a high LDL and low HDL. Smoking reduces the amount of HDL in your blood.
How to reduce cholesterol?
Proper diet and exercise play a key role in maintaining high levels of HDL cholesterol and lowering LDL cholesterol in your blood. Being active and doing regular exercise and at the same time eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and low-fat foods will increase HDL cholesterol and is used for high LDL cholesterol treatment. In addition to this, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking will reduce cholesterol levels further.
Many medicines are also available to lower LDL levels in the blood, though most of them also have some or the other kind of side effects. Taking medicines for reducing LDL levels is advisable only for considerably high levels of cholesterol in the blood and only under a doctor’s prescription.
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GMC Canyon deals you need to know
Read moreGMC canyon deals add advantages and benefits to already great vehicles. For example, the 2017 Canyon small pickup truck is a highly maneuverable and efficient machine that has managed to make a powerful and long lasting impression. It comes with innovative cargo box features and a strong built on the foundation that strikes as stylish.
The functionality of the unique cargo box offers many functional features that make using the cargo and truck bed super simple. With some great GMC Canyon deals, one can avail many features like upper tie downs across 13 location to help manage the cargo of different sizes and shapes, EZ lift and lower tailgates and a spray on bed liner.
The attention to minute details is reflected in the design aspect of the Canyon that includes chrome grille surround, LED signature front lighting, and projector beam headlight. Further, the SLT models offer chrome mirror caps and door handles.
In terms of performance, the 2017 Canyon small pickup truck has an engine that offers power and efficiency in the form of a Duramax diesel engine that has the specifications of 2.8L I-4 Turbo Diesel engine. It delivers abundant torque and horsepower along with other features like B20 biodiesel capability, max trailer rating of 7,700 lbs square, 6-speed automatic transmission, integrated trailer brake controller and a 181 horsepower that runs at 3400 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm. Another striking feature is the segment-first exhaust brake that uses engine compression to slow the truck down, thereby efficiently reducing the amount of conventional braking that is required while driving on downhill terrains.
The active fuel management concept comes from the 3.6L V6, with specifications like the maximum trailering rating of 7,000lbs (5) that is available with the GMC Canyon Trailering package deal and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Duralife Brake Rotors come with a coveted ferritic nitro carburizing technology that is GM exclusive patented process. It has proven to strengthen the rotors, and the Duralife further protects against corrosion in addition to doubling the life of the rotors in comparison with the more commonly used conventional rotors.
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4 important benefits of giving back
Read moreMany studies indicate that one of the reasons people indulge in charitable work is because it makes them feel good. Most people think that this need to give is a moral duty toward society and that there is a social conscience behind this act. What is this power of giving back, and how does one understand it? This article lists some benefits of the psychology behind this act of kindness.
Promotes social connection
A number of studies done by sociologists indicate that giving to others can have immense benefits. When you give to others, your generosity will mostly be rewarded at some point in time. You will be rewarded by the person you helped or someone else. These exchanges of goodwill strengthen human relations and promote cooperation. Furthermore, we make others feel closer to us when we help them. This results in an improved sense of interdependence among society at large.Improves mood
A number of studies have linked giving back with improved mood in general. One report indicated that people who do more or give back constantly tend to be more happier. Being generous over a period of time has been known to reduce stress levels too. Moreover, giving can positively impact a person’s self-esteem.Improves one’s sense of gratitude
Giving can invoke a sense of gratitude in people. This sense of gratitude is known to elicit feelings of happiness and joy amongst people. In addition to that, giving can create strong social bonds. In fact, further study on the subject concludes that cultivating gratitude in everyday life has the potential to increase personal happiness.Physical health benefits
Besides gratitude and happiness, giving back can have a number of health benefits. You experience lower blood pressure and lower stress levels when you give back. There has also been evidence to indicate that our bodies secrete “feel good” chemicals like serotonin and dopamine when we give. Additionally, giving others is known to stimulate the reward center in the brain.