Total blood levels are considered high beyond 6.2 mmols (millimols) per litre and normal in the range 3.6 - 6.2 mmols.

LDL (Low-Density Lipoproteins) are however the really 'bad' guys. They cause blocking of arteries by attaching to fats and adhering to the interior walls of these vessels. LDL levels are moderate between 2.80 - 3.40 mmols if you're under 30 and 4.5 - 5.20 for over 30's.

HDL (High-Density Lipoproteins) are the 'good' guys and many specialists consider the ratio of HDL-LDL is more important than actual levels, as described above.

As medical experience progress measurement levels of good-bad do change so check with your physician first before self-analysing the 'quality' of your levels.

For most western people it is their task to “lower” both total cholesterol levels and LDL levels if these are high so as to avoid unnecessary future heart problems.

LIFESTYLE ATTENTION

• Eliminate the adding of sugar to any foods/drinks
• Reduce salt (sodium) intake and increase potassium intake.
• Buy 'low-fat' or better 'no-fat' foods. To do this read labels carefully. If salt appears in the first half of the listed ingredients it is 'too high' for comfort.
• Alcohol levels need reducing if a 'social' drinker. If a smoker, high consumer of animal and dairy products or overweight, drink even less alcohol.
• Try to cut out smoking, get weight into line with 'Age/Height' levels and reduce animal and dairy fat intake to between 5-10% of dairy total.
• Substitute plant sources of protein, for most animal proteins. Fish is okay and Tree range chicken.
• Increase vegetable intake to between 60-70% of daily food, and fruit to 20% - 30%.
• Follow rigidly the correct rules of Food Combining, particularly if over 50.
• Use only cold pressed oils for salad dressing - a very acceptable mix is 80% olive oil and 20% walnut oil with squeeze of lemon and pinch of ginger.
• Buy organically grown food whenever possible - they are more likely to contain larger amounts and a wider spread of vitamins, minerals, etc.
• Drink filtered, or distilled water.

HOMOEOPATHIC

• Cholesterol Drops - to reduce levels
• Hepato Drainol Drops - for live cleansing
• Veino Drainol Drops - for artery / vein cleansing
• Quercus Drops - if spleen is enlarged or some cirrhosis of liver, or if ankles are swollen.
• Heart Capsules - taken in conjunction with cholesterol drops

TISSUE SALTS

• Nat Mur - swollen spleen or constipation
• Kali Mur - diarrhoea

HERBALS

• Garlic
• Cratageus

AROMATHERAPY

• Massage Mix - Rosemary, Thyme
• Bath Mix - Rosemary, Thyme

FOODS

• Soluble Fibre Rice - oat bran, psyllium, , pectin, baked beans or cane fibre
• Rice Cakes - instead of bread
• Fibrous Foods - broccoli, carrots, brussels sprouts , cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, mealies, apples, pears, grapes
• Niacin Foods - green vegetables, soya milk, soya beans, cereal grains
• Garlic - use in sauces, etc

SPECIAL EXERCISE

• Aerobic (or Aqua aerobic) can help lower cholesterol levels. The concept in exercise for lowering cholesterol levels is that it should raise the pulse rate for 20 minutes.
• Jogging, swimming, skipping, cycling and fast walking are all excellent alternatives

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Relaxation
• TM
• Biofeedback
• Niacin therapy under professional supervision