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Introduction................................................................pg.1

Definition.....................................................................pg.2

Symptoms and Diagnosis...........................................pg.3

Causes and Treatment...............................................pg.4

Nutritional Support....................................................pg.5

Recipe………………………………………………..pg.6

Conclusion...................................................................pg.7

Work Cited..................................................................pg.8

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Nutrition plays a vital role in daily life and allows the body to function properly and remain healthy. An adequate nutrition involves the essential macronutrients and also the micronutrients. Macronutrients are proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fat, and water that are required for growth and energy. Micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins are needed for the proper growth and development of the human body, and are required only in very small amounts. Various diseases and conditions that people face today are due to deficiencies of micronutrients. Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that the body needs to function normally. Similar to high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, most commonly referred to as high cholesterol is not a disease. High cholesterol is a condition that may result in very serious consequences such as heart attacks and strokes. In a recent study done by Statistics Canada, blood tests of thousands showed that 41 per cent of adults have high cholesterol. Many people who have high cholesterol may have no idea they have this condition because they may not have any visible symptoms. Therefore, it is extremely important for people of all ages to keep track of their cholesterol levels.

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What is it? Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is produced by the body, more specifically the liver,

and is an essential nutrient to the body. It is essential for the function of cell membranes, for producing hormones, and for

producing vitamin d within the body. Two types of cholesterol: LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) A body typically requires only a small amount of cholesterol until the excess cholesterol

deposits into various arteries.

Body Parts Affected High cholesterol mainly affects the arteries found in the heart, the brain,

and the legs for the reason that the excess cholesterol begins to build up on the walls of the arteries

The arteries are greatley affected by high cholesterol As high blood cholesterol builds up in the arteries, a waxy substance

called plaque causes them to narrow and harden, also known as atherosclerosis.

Coronary arteries transport blood to the heart, therefore if plaque causes these arteries to narrow, the blood flow to the heart will significantly slow down and become insufficient resulting in coronary heart disease

If plaque decides to burst within the arteries, cholesterol and fat will enter the bloodstream causing clotting and eventurally resulting in a heart attack

Not only is the circulatory system strongly affected, but high cholesterol has a negative impact on the eyes as well

Those suffering from high cholesterol should be aware of the increased risk of an eye condition known as retinal vein occlusion

Similar to the arteries effect, high cholesterol will narrow blood vessels causing a shortage of blood needed by the retina

Clots can form which totally block the blood from entering the retina and eventually the eyesight will weaken

Effects on Individuals Unfortounately, cholesterol itself portrays no signs or symptoms, leaving an individual

clueless of the condition High cholesterol may begin at an early age, however risk factors and complications develop

later on well into the adult-life

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LDL cholesterol “bad-cholesterol” is found in the bloodstream and settles as fatty deposits on the inside of your blood vessels (Body and Health Canada)

These build up over time to become scars, called plagues. This stimulates extra cell growth in the lining of the arteries. Plaque can damage

and clog the arteries, including the coronary arteries feeding the hearts. This is called atherosclerosis-hardening of the arteries and can result in angina-

chest pains There is clearly no sign of high cholesterol; it is more of a “silent” condition that

offers no early warning. You are diagnosed of High Cholesterol through a blood test and physical exam. If diagnosed symptoms usually include: Chest pain Heart attack Stroke High levels of LDL cholesterol cause more plaque build up and increases the risk of

a heart attack. Also, you can get symptoms from the complications of high cholesterol which

include pain the calves caused by narrowed arteries to the legs. The main complications are heart disease and stroke. If your doctor diagnoses you with high cholesterol, your doctor will order a simple

blood test to check your cholesterol level. These tests usually measure your total cholesterol level as well as the bad

cholesterol-LDL and good cholesterol-HDL. Doctors will give put you through a screening process, and while at it your doctor

will exam and ask you about your diet and medical conditions in your personal and family history.

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There are many factors in determining whether your LDL cholesterol is high or low.

A reason why a person would become diagnosed with high cholesterol is due to:

Older Age Alcohol consumption Diet Gender-men have higher chances

of becoming diagnosed with cholesterol Heredity Level of physical activity Weight Eating foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol

Treatment of high cholesterol is a healthy lifestyle and other treatments include:

Follow a diet that is low in saturated fats and cholesterol Eating a wide variety of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts and

seeds High levels of physical activity Maintain a healthy body weight Limiting alcohol consumption-no more than two drinks per day to

a max of nine per week for women or 14 per week for men Medications-have been proven to lower the chance of further

clogging of the arteries and treat cholesterol problems by lowering bad cholesterol-LDL and raising the levels of good cholesterol-HDL

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Foods that Lower Cholesterol: Whole grains Blueberries Pistachios/almonds/walnuts Olives/olive oil Fish/fish oil Pomegranate juice Foods high in fiber

Foods to avoid: Eggs Whole-milk dairy products Butter Cream Ice cream Chicken/turkey Lamb Any sweets (potato chips, cakes, cookies etc)

* These foods contain both trans fat and saturated fat which should be avoided when being diagnosed with high cholesterol*

Vitamins/Supplements for High Cholesterol Fiber is often recommended either as a supplement or coming from a direct source

of food. Omega 3 fatty-acids also reduce cholesterol which are found in fish oils. The B vitamin, also recognized as Niacin, is known to reduce the LDL (bad).

cholesterol while at the same time increasing the HDL (good) cholesterol. Vitamin C supplements help prevent heart disease, which arises as a result of high

cholesterol, because it decreases the amount of cholesterol deposits in the arteries and blood vessels.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant which additionally lowers bad cholesterol levels within the body.

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Caramelized Onion and Grapefruit Salad

Caramelized onions:

3 tablespoons olive oil 2 onions, very thinly sliced 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Dressing:

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon honey 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Salad:

2 pink grapefruits 1 head romaine lettuce, thinly sliced or torn into 1-inch pieces 1 large fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced 3 scallions, finely sliced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

Garlic Salmon

1 1/2 pounds salmon fillet salt and pepper to taste 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 sprig fresh dill, chopped 5 slices lemon 5 sprigs fresh dill weed 2 green onions, chopped

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Without proper nutrition, the body is unable to function properly and stay healthy. This may result in many diseases or conditions such as high cholesterol. Nutrition is important for everyone, especially those living with high cholesterol. People living with high cholesterol must make sure they get the proper nutrition by having the right amount of both macronutrients and micronutrients. A person diagnosed with high cholesterol must avoid foods that contain trans fat and saturated fats. They must also incorporate foods that lower their cholesterol such as foods high in fiber. Supplements of fiber and vitamins B, C, and E are recommended as well. With the adequate nutrition, cholesterol levels can be controlled, improving the life of an individual suffering from high cholesterol.

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C . , B e n j a m i n . " H i g h C h o l e s t e r o l . " e m e d i c i n e h e a l t h . e m e d i c i n e h e a l t h , 2 0 1 1 . W e b . 2 9 M a y 2 0 1 1 . < h t t p : / / w w w . e m e d i c i n e h e a l t h . c o m / h i g h _ c h o l e s t e r o l / a r t i c l e _ e m . h t m > .

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" H I G H C H O L E S T E R O L - T h e F a c t s . " H I G H C H O L E S T E R O L - T h e F a c t s . H e a r t P o i n t , S e p t e m b e r 1 9 9 7 . W e b . 2 9 M a y 2 0 1 1 . < h t t p : / / w w w . h e a r t p o i n t . c o m / C h o l f a c t s . h t m l > .

" H i g h c h o l e s t e r o l h i t s 4 1 % o f a d u l t s . " C B C N e w s | H e a l t h . C B C N e w s , 2 3 / 0 3 / 2 0 1 0 . W e b . 2 9 M a y 2 0 1 1 . < h t t p : / / w w w . c b c . c a / n e w s / h e a l t h / s t o r y / 2 0 1 0 / 0 3 / 2 3 / c h o l e s t e r o l -c a n a d i a n s . h t m l > .

J o h n s o n , P r i y a . " W h y i s N u t r i t i o n I m p o r t a n t . " B u z z l e . c o m . B u z z l e , 2 0 1 1 . W e b . 2 9 M a y 2 0 1 1 . < h t t p : / / w w w . b u z z l e . c o m / a r t i c l e s / w h y - i s - n u t r i t i o n -i m p o r t a n t . h t m l > .

K a n i e c k i , D i a n a . " V i t a m i n S u p p l e m e n t s f o r T r e a t i n g H i g h C h o l e s t e r o l a n d T r i g l y c e r i d e s . " l i v e s t r o n g . c o m . l i v e s t r o n g , 2 2 / 1 1 / 1 0 . W e b . 2 9 M a y 2 0 1 1 . < h t t p : / / w w w . l i v e s t r o n g . c o m / a r t i c l e / 3 1 4 9 2 6 - v i t a m i n - s u p p l e m e n t s - f o r -t r e a t i n g - h i g h - c h o l e s t e r o l - a n d - t r i g l y c e r i d e s / > .

" N u t r i t i o n . " B e n t o n C o u n t y - H e a l t h S t a t u s R e p o r t . B e n t o n C o u n t y , 2 0 0 9 . W e b . 2 9 M a y 2 0 1 1 . < h t t p : / / w w w . g o o g l e . c a / i m g r e s ? i m g u r l = h t t p : / / w w w . c o . b e n t o n . o r . u s / h e a lt h / h e a l t h _ s t a t u s / i m a g e s / c h o l e s t e r o l 7 . g i f & i m g r e f u r l = h t t p : / /w w w . c o . b e n t o n . o r . u s / h e a l t h / h e a l t h _ s t a t u s /

" U n d e r s t a n d i n g Y o u r C h o l e s t e r o l L o w e r i n g S u p p l e m e n t s . " S u p p l e m e n t C e l l a r . s u p p l e m e n t c e l l a r , 2 0 1 1 . W e b . 2 9 M a y 2 0 1 1 . < h t t p : / / s u p p l e m e n t c e l l a r . c o m / h e r b a l - s u p p l e m e n t s / c h o l e s t e r o l - l o w e r i n g -s u p p l e m e n t s / > .

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