Naoki Murai writes:
The similarities for both Mr. and Mrs. Mine (M) are that they are in their late twenties and they usually skip breakfast or otherwise fry some food leftovers from the day before. They also work too hard and pay little attention to what they eat. And also they ignore doing exercises. The most important fact is that their LDL levels very high (Mr. M; 170 and Mrs.M; 165). LDLs are synthesized mainly in the liver and work to carry cholesterol via blood stream. So, taking cholesterol-containing food to excess may increase the LDL synthesis and therefore induce high LDL level. According to their diet profile, they both take too much fat. Especially, they take many foods which contain trans fatty acids like fast food, particularly late at night. These trans fatty acids don't occur naturally in food. They are mostly formed when vegetable oils are partly hydrogenated to form margarine, solid vegetable cooking fat. Taking food late at night may also harm the health since the food can't be digested very well.
There are some specific risks for both Mr. and Mrs. M. In the case of Mr. M, he has high blood pressure and has experienced angina chest pain. From this point, it may be possible that arteries of his body has begun to narrow. And this may be caused by his low HDL level and high LDL level. Since HDLs carry out the cholesterol from the cells to regulate total body cholesterol level, together with a high LDL level, too much cholesterol may be stored throughout the body, especially in the artery walls. So he must take products that contain vitamin E, such as sunflower oil to prevent oxidation of LDL, which is very serious. Animal proteins must be changed to plant proteins like tofu (soybeans) to help raise levels of HDL that carries the cholesterol away from the tissue. He also has to quit smoking, which is a risk factor for LDL oxidation. He needs to take calcium to minimize his bone loss in later years. It can be taken from skim milk with meals at breakfast or frozen yogurt for dessert.
In the case of Mrs. M, she needs to reduce her intake of sweet products, unless she has an enough time for exercise. Instead of energy taken from sugar, she needs to take carbohydrates like rice or cereals. Further, eggs contain much cholesterol so she has to reduce intaking too much. One egg per day is enough. Cheese and ice cream also contain much cholesterol. To avoid breast cancer, she needs to intake a low fat and high fiber diet. Strengthening immune systems may also helps her to prevent cancer, since her family has a history of cancer. This may be achieved by taking more vegetables, fruits and grains.
In conclusion, they both need to change their meat intake to fish and vegetables. In addition, they have to pat attention to their health much more carefully. High LDL levels can be said to be the most important risk factor for both of them for heart diseases. It can be reduced by changing the diet and introducing proper exercise in their daily life. Otherwise, they will be victims of not only the circulatory diseases but also other critical diseases such as diabetes.
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