Heart Disease: Cholesterol has indeed been known to get a bad press. However, some people don’t realize that cholesterol levels are nowhere near as important as the ratios of the 2 different types.
If say someone’s cholesterol level is 300 (mg/dL) then it may be regarded as a cause for concern. But, in this, if the HDL (high density lipoprotein) good cholesterol is around 85% with only 15% LDL (Low density lipoprotein) bad cholesterol then overall the level of 300 is okay since it gives acceptable ratios.
Here’s another thing, something that can reduce incidences of heart attacks or strokes by a whopping great 75% plus and you don’t need to swallow a single pill!
That something is donating blood.
A whole load of research has been done to show this, you only have to look it up.
For example, a 1990’s study in Finland found that males, by donating blood, it massively reduced their risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack).
– Talk about a win-win situation for both the donor and those in need of it!
Here’s another hidden gem related to the benefit of loosing blood.
Someone having thick blood (high viscosity) is more likely to have heart disease: Thicker blood causes abrasions to blood vessel artery walls, particularly at branch off points. This abrasion results in inflammation. As the inflammation gets worse the body responds by producing cholesterol and a build up of plaque on the walls of these inflamed arteries (arthrosclerosis).
This is an attempt by the body to heal itself. Although the build up of the atherosclerotic plaque from LDL bad cholesterol can lead to heart disease through restriction or blocking of blood flow this is NOT the root-cause of heart attacks or strokes. Yes, it’s the thick blood causing the abrasion on the artery walls that’s the root cause.
-So, the answer to reduce heart attacks and strokes is to occasionally donate blood to thin it down.
Other situation in support of this comes from women donating blood to their unborn child through the womb. It can be said that this release of blood to the womb prevents mothers from having heart attacks and strokes allowing them to be healthy to look after their children.
Women having regular timed periods also help reduce heart attacks and strokes. However, menopausal women then become as much at risk as men… Reduced oestrogen levels also contribute to risk. So the answer is to donate blood from time to time.
Finally it should be noted that fish oils and supplements can also reduce risk by thinning the blood, so can drinking regular and adequate amounts of water.
As the saying goes blood is like your waistline, the thinner the better.
