Cholesterol - Good, Bad...Huh?

What IS Cholesterol? 

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that's stored in the fat (lipid) content of one's blood stream.  It's actually important to have a certain amount of "good" cholesterol in one's system.  

Cholesterol, and our other body fats, cannot dissolve in our blood.  They must be transported by special carriers called lipoproteins.  While there are numerous kinds (too many to cover here), the two that are most important are the high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and the low-density lipoproteins (LDL).  There is a third kind, which is referred to as Lp(a), which can increase one's risk of heart attack and stroke.  We'll cover that one here, as well.  

HDL, LDL, & Lp(a)...What ARE These? 

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are known as "good cholesterol".  Most experts agree that HDL moves the cholesterol from the arteries to the liver, where it is broken down and leaves the body through the natural evacuation process.  A higher HDL level seems to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.  Keep in mind, though, that a lower HDL level in one's body (-40 mg/dL in men, -50 mg d/L in women) is a warning signal of greater risk of one or both.  

HDL seems to remove excess cholesterol from the plaques which build up in one's blood vessels, thereby inhibiting or slowing their growth.  This is what makes it so important to the human body.  Approximately 1/3 to 1/4 of the cholesterol in our bodies is carried by the HDL.  

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are the major transporters of cholesterol in our blood.  One can experience a build up on the walls of the arteries which supply blood to our hearts and brains, if too much LDL enters the blood stream.  When combined with other substances, it forms plaques.  Plaques are hard, thick coatings that can clog one's arteries and decrease blood flow to the heart or the brain.  Should the blood not move swiftly enough, there is danger of a blood clot forming near the plaques.  When this occurs in the arteries leading to the heart, one is at greater risk of a heart attack.  If it happens in the arteries which lead to one's brain, there is a higher risk of stroke.  

If one's LDL level is 160 mg/dL or higher, this is an indication of a greater risk of heart disease.  And if one has already been diagnosed with heart disease, it is strongly recommended that one maintain a level of less than 100 mg/dL.  

A little known (by the general population) lipoprotein that can also cause a greater risk is the Lp(a) cholesterol lipoprotein.  This is a generic variation of plasma (the "fluid" which carries the blood cells through one's blood stream) LDL.  When one's Lp(a) level is higher, one can more quickly develop the plaque build up which physicians and specialists refer to as "arthersclerosis".  Although there has been no conclusive evidence drawn as to WHY Lp(a) contributes to the increased risk of heart disease, it is commonly believed that the natural lesions which occur in our artery walls may contain substances that interact with it.  This may lead to the build up of the fatty deposits.  

From Where Do We Get Cholesterol? 

The general consensus is that the human body is capable of producing the cholesterol that one needs to remain healthy.  The body - most especially the liver - produces roughly 1,000 mg per day.  Therefore the cholesterol consumed (by the average person eating the typical foods such as whole milk dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry, fish and seafood) is not really necessary to maintain the healthy level which one needs.  

Two of the biggest culprits which contribute to the excessive consumption of cholesterol are transfats and saturated fats.  But other fats consumed in foods can also raise blood cholesterol.  While some of the excess fat is removed from the body by the liver, most heart specialists recommend that the average person limit himself/herself to less than 300 mg daily.  And if one has been diagnosed with heart disease, that level should be less than 200 mg daily.  If one has been diagnosed with extremely high cholesterol, even more drastic measures may be necessary to bring it under control. 

How Do I Control My Intake? 

A proven and accepted measure of control is to limit one's intake to no more that 6 ounces of lean meat/fish/poultry daily, and to consume only low fat/no fat dairy products.  Effective substitutes for the protein necessary for good health can be found in beans and vegetables with high protein content.  Two excellent sources for determining which foods have high protein content can be found at:

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/protein.htm and 

http://www.vegparadise.com/protein.html#Charts 

It is also recommended that one adopt a regular exercise regimen.  Even a moderate amount of daily activity can help to increase the movement of blood through one's body.  Physical activities such as leisurely walking, gardening, light yard work, housework and slow dancing are often prescribed as ideally suited for those who need a daily routine to help control the cholesterol levels.   

A more intense regimen can include brisk walking, jogging, swimming and weight-lifting.  Aerobic exercising is an excellent way to increase one's breathing and heart rates.  

Side benefits of a regularly scheduled exercise program can include weight control, reducing one's risk of developing diabetes, and helping to keep one's blood pressure at a healthy level.  Regular moderate to intense exercise can also help to strengthen one's heart and lungs.  

To Smoke or Not to Smoke...  

Most physicians and specialists recommend that no one smoke.  And it has been proven that tobacco smoking increases the risk of heart disease.  One's intake of oxygen, which is a necessary component for good vascular circulation and health, is drastically reduced.  Plus, smoking is detrimental to HDL cholesterol levels and increases the possibility of blood clots, not to mention the risks of causing cancer in one's body.  

The Effects of Alcohol on Cholesterol Levels 

The moderate consumption of alcohol has shown, in some studies, to actually promote higher HDL cholesterol levels.  With that said one must weigh the risks of alcoholism, obesity, stroke, high blood pressure, some forms of cancer, and sometimes depression.  Exercise moderation (not more than 1-2 drinks daily for men, not more than 1 drink daily for women).  And if you don't drink, don't start.  There are better and safer alternatives for controlling one's cholesterol.  

Synopsis: 

- HDL is "good" cholesterol 

- LDL is "bad" cholesterol 

- An exercise regimen can help in lowering LDL and increasing HDL 

- Cholesterol can be controlled with a sensible diet, for many people 

- Smoking can increase the risks of lower HDL levels and the possibility of blood clots

Consult your physician or health care provider before embarking on any exercise regimen, or the consumption of alcohol, as a method to control one's cholesterol.  He or she can direct you to what steps you need to take in order to ensure the best results for your efforts. 

Have an annual screening (usually a blood drawing) to determine your cholesterol levels.  Be sure to discuss family history and other issues which your doctor may want to know before deciding whether or not you should be checked for the Lp(a) lipoproteins.  He or she can better determine your risks, the diagnosis, and possible treatment (which may include prescription medication) when fully informed.

0% Interest Credit Cards - Truth or Fiction?

If you are looking for a new credit card then obviously 0% interest credit cards hold a lot of appeal for you. Anything at 0% interest nowadays grabs everyone's attention, for that matter! But as far as these 0% interest credit card offers go, there is a lot of subtle dodging that credit card companies and bank card issuers engage in to ensure you catch the bait.

So just go ahead and admit it. You are hooked.  The 0% APR credit cards ad that you just saw in the brochure attached in the morning newspaper has piqued your interest.  But seriously ... are these 0% interest credit cards for real? 

The truth is they are and they are not.  There are cards that live up to the promise of a 0% APR credit card, but the truth is that this 0% interest does not last long. It might just be an initial gimmick to get you to subscribe to the card offer and once you’re a cardholder, you have the 0% APR for just a limited time (3 months, 6 months, or if you’re very lucky 12 months) before they start charging you a higher rate of interest.  The credit card game is truly an interesting one to watch, but not if you are the suffering player.  Read on to know what you can do to make sure you are not the sufferer.

Understanding 0% APR Credit Cards

Yes, 0% APR credit cards do, in fact, hold a lot of enticement. But here is what you must do when you find a 0% APR card that has gotten your attention.  Pay attention to the following: 

1)  How long the no-interest period will last?

2)  Can you transfer other balances at the 0% rate?

3)  What will the APR be after the introductory period ends? 

When you are done assessing these factors, you can properly compare all of the interest credit card options available.

The Luxuries of Owning a 0% APR Credit Card

If you’ve already accumulated a huge debt on your previous credit cards, there’s good news for you. A 0% APR credit card can benefit consumers bad credit histories in a big way, if (and that's a big if) they can get approved for the card offer itself.  That being said, a 0% APR credit offer allows cardholders to drastically cut down the interest being incurred on existing debt while it can also help consolidate debts on other outstanding high APR card balances. There are typically balance transfer fees associated with this type of consolidation, but if your credit is sufficient enough, you might be able to avoid fees altogether.

Pitfalls of 0 Interest Credit Cards

1)  Most 0% interest credit cards offer 0% interest or no interest only for a limited amount of time, which varies between 6 to 12 months. 

2)  If you’re thinking of transferring balances from high interest credit cards, some of these cards might not even allow you to do so during the introductory 0% offer period. 

3)  Some 0% interest credit cards might also charge very high balance transfer fees. 

4)  Some of these cards also carry very high penalties for late payments and 

automatically switch you to a much higher variable APR after incurring even a single late payment. 

5)  Some 0% APR credit cards charge a very high interest rate after the introductory (read honeymoon) period.

Yes, the picture is definitely not all rosy, even though you can most definitely save money on interest charges by using 0% interest credit cards judiciously.  If cardholders fail to pay off their card balances prior to the introductory offer expiration, if they fail to make payments on time, or generally disregard their credit responsibilities, these credit cards can end up costing consumers significantly more than most will anticipate.

0% Credit Cards: Are They Worth It?

Credit card jumping has become a common practice. The term refers to the habit of moving debt balances from card to card to take advantage of preferential rates. But just how worthwhile is credit card jumping for consumers?

UK consumers have staggering levels of debt. Consumer borrowing has grown by more than 50% in five years. It's no wonder that people are looking for new ways to ease the debt burden. Credit card jumping offers one possible solution.

Money Saving Device

People who are carrying large amounts of debt can save hundreds of pounds in interest simply by taking advantage of the latest credit card balance transfer deals. Many of these offer a 0% interest rate for a fixed period, such as three, six, nine or even 12 months.

As well as transferring balances from other credit cards to a 0% credit card, consumers are sometimes able to transfer balances from store cards and even outstanding loan amounts.  It is worth checking to see if these transactions also benefit from the 0% balance transfer rate.

Transferring a balance to a 0% credit card means that any payments made are paying off the principal rather than the interest. This reduces the amount owed, which is good news for those using this as a debt management method. Many card issuers do charge a balance transfer fee to curb the practice of credit card jumping, so it is worth looking around for the best deal.

Getting The Best From Credit Card Jumping

To get the best from 0% credit cards, many savvy consumers move from card to card when the preferential rate period expires. This requires some organization, but credit card jumping can mean that debt balances continue to go down as consumers move money (or rather, debt) from card to card. Those who don't move their debt at the right time often find they are paying a much higher interest rate – and the debt is not being cleared. This strategy works best when consumers pay on time. Late payment can result in fees that increase consumers' level of debt.

Consumers who are using many credit cards to manage their debt should consider creating standing orders to manage payments automatically. It is also worth using a spreadsheet or calendar program to keep track of when it is time to move to the next credit card.

Other Incentives

Credit card jumping can be an effective way of reducing debt, providing consumers do not add any new debt. There are also other incentives for using 0% cards, such as charitable contributions, rewards points, air miles, travel insurance and much more. It is worth shopping around to get a reward as well as the interest-saving rate.

Summary

Credit card jumping can be a good strategy for people who are:

1. organized about managing debt

2. trying to clear a large debt

3. prepared to shop around for the best balance transfer deals

4. able to pay on time consistently so as not to damage their credit rating