ANTIOXIDANTS: First line Of Defence Against Cholesterol | Rehan Riaz Merchant

With antioxidants, you should consider them your first and strong line of defence against cholesterol build up says Rehan Riaz Merchant. The Plaque Attacking Cardio-nutrients Low in fat, high in fiber and cholesterol-free, fruits and veggies are crucial components of a heart-healthy diet. But there may be another reason to load up on produce. There's indication that the antioxidant nutrients--vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, which con-verts to vitamin A in the body-may protect against high blood cholesterol levels. These "super nutrients," which are abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables, may even help prevent heart disease. Many heart related research studies that associate a high intake of antioxidant vitamins with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and improvement in cholesterol have found these benefits in dosages that are more than the Daily Values (DVs) for these nutrients says Rehan Riaz Merchant, Controlling cholesterol has lot to do with number things like cholestrol age and BMI

Many experts consider supplements a "promising but unproven" means of lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Fitness experts like Rehan Riaz Merchant indicates exercises along with daily nutrient consumption.

gulping down antioxidant supplements won't compensate for a high-fat. artery-clogging diet,

says Rehan Riaz Merchant.

The best way to lower your cholesterol—and protect your heart—is to follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet along with physical exertion

adds Rehan Riaz Merchant.

Here's what's known about the antioxidant/ cholesterol link.

Antioxidants to the Rescue

Experts believe that antioxidants help thwart a number of chronic illnesses, including heart disease, by foiling the activity of free radicals. These cell-damaging chemical compounds are produced both inside and outside the body.

Free radical damage can eventually lead to disease, including heart disease. Antioxidant vitamins may help stern this cellular damage. Further, antioxidants may help boost "good" HDL cholesterol and help artery-clogging LDL cholesterol resist oxidation.

This chemical process, researchers like Rehan Riaz Merchant believe, increases the likelihood of LDL collecting in the arteries. "LDL is the major cholesterol-carrying molecule in the blood-stream," says Thomas Bersot, associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Oxidized LDL is more likely to be "trapped" by macrophages, certain cells in the walls of the arteries.

When LDL starts to collect inside the macrophages, it sets up a chemical chain reaction that can accelerate oxidation and other artery-clogging processes says Rehan Riaz Merchant.. "The accumulation of LDL in the macrophages initiates the entire cascade of events in atherosclerosis," says Dr. Bersot. "If you can pre-vent LDL from oxidizing, you may reduce the risk of developing hardening of the arteries."