October is designated as National Cholesterol Month. The event is initiated and led by cholesterol awareness organisation Heart UK; intended to build greater awareness of the dangers of cholesterol and get individuals connecting with their heart health on a much closer level.

In combination with recent research that reveals a causal link between high levels of cholesterol and the onset of other serious, non-cardiovascular diseases such as prostate cancer and glaucoma, there’s never been a better time to get more familiar with the challenges of cholesterol – and what can be done to mitigate the risks.

The vital waxy substance found in the blood, cholesterol, comes in two forms:

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the unhealthy kind of cholesterol that leads to cholesterol buildup that causes atherosclerosis, or clogged arteries
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL), the healthy kind that carries cholesterol from other areas of the body to the liver

Cholesterol is vital to building healthy cells, but an excess of LDL cholesterol develops fatty deposits in the blood vessels, restricting the free flow of blood, in turn presenting a higher risk of hypertension. What’s more, studies in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases show that men with highest levels of cholesterol had their overall risk of developing prostate cancer increased by 27% compared to those with lower levels after a 3-year lag time. According to a study published by JAMA Opthalmology, researchers found that for every 20-point increase in total cholesterol, there was a 7% increase in glaucoma risk. 

There are a number of simple but significant lifestyle changes that are known to help lower the levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.

Reduce consumption of saturated fats

In a large proportion of cases, the diet is a key cause of increased LDL cholesterol levels. Saturated and trans fats are known to cause increasing levels of this harmful kind of cholesterol, so changes to food intake can have a dramatic impact.

Trans fats, or trans-fatty acids, are a type of unsaturated fat that can occur naturally in meat and dairy products. It can also be manufactured synthetically, referred to as partially hydrogenated oil. These fats can contribute to increased LDL cholesterol levels, so becoming aware of daily intake and reducing where necessary can have a significant impact on overall wellness.

A growing concern for healthcare professionals, the growing prevalence of trans fats in cooking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as type 2 diabetes. There are a number of foods that have been identified in studies as having an LDL-lowering effect, which includes avocados, walnuts, whole grains, fruits, leafy green vegetables, berries and cocoa.

Regular exercise

Research demonstrates the benefits of exercise on cholesterol levels, increasing the concentration of ‘good’ HDL that helps move cholesterol to the liver. Studies have shown that under test conditions, physically active individuals had significantly higher levels of HDL cholesterol than those who were more sedentary.

Additional research from Duke University Medical Center found that exercise also changes the amount and shape of the particles carrying cholesterol through the body. The study found that those who exercised more regularly had larger particles that were less dense and less likely to clog arterial channels.

Mediate gut wellness with pro-active supplements

In addition to diet and activity moderation, there are a number of additional supplementary products on the market that specialise in managing cholesterol. One such example is CholBiome® and CholBiome_X3, a range of cholesterol management supplements developed by OptiBiotix that contain LPLDL®. 

CholBiome_X3 offers a natural, science-backed solution to reduce harmful LDL cholesterol and increase the levels of healthy HDL cholesterol, offering an alternative to traditional statins. Transforming the way physiological wellbeing is approached, CholBiome_X3 combines three key natural ingredients – patented probiotic LP_LDL^Ò, Vitamin B3 and red yeast rice rich in Monacolin K to help reduce cholesterol levels, promote heart wellness and reduce blood pressure.

While CholBiome_X3 works to reduce cholesterol, CholBiome supports the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels either as preventative or following the use of CholBiomee_X3.  The products stand out they contain a probiotic with scientifically-proven combined hypertension and cholesterol-reducing results. OptiBiotix carried out studies on the unique next-generation probiotic strain LP_LDL®, which aids elements of cardiovascular and physiological wellbeing, and found it to lower total cholesterol levels by 36.7%.

During cholesterol awareness month, make sure you’re better connected to your cardiovascular health by learning more about cholesterol. The human body needs cholesterol in the blood to stay healthy, but high levels can lead to a number of significant health problems.

To find out more about CholBiome and CholBiome_X3, visit http://optibiotix.com/product/cholbiome/