What is Cholesterol?
What a person may not realize is that it is completely normal to have certain amounts of cholesterol. Cholesterol is a soft, fat like waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all body cells, used for producing cell membranes and some hormones, and also serves other needed bodily functions.
Where Cholesterol Comes From
In the most simple of explanations, cholesterol comes from two sources: The body and food. Seventy five percent of blood cholesterol is naturally produced by a person’s liver and other cells in the body. The remaining twenty five percent comes from the foods that a person eats.
While the body produces part of the cholesterol in our system, people get the rest of their cholesterol intake from animal products. Foods that are made from plants, such as fruits, vegetables, breads and cereals, do not have cholesterol.
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Egg
- Butter
- Cheese
- Whole Milk
However, too much cholesterol in the blood can be a major risk of coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. There are two types of cholesterol classified as “good” or “bad” cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is known as the “bad” cholesterol, as when too much of it circulates in the bloodstream, it can clog arteries. Too much of one particular type or even not enough of one type can run the risk of causing serious medical complications.
While LDL cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, many people have genes from family members that cause them to make too much. Eating saturated fat, trans fats and dietary cholesterol also increases the body’s total cholesterol levels.
Ways to Keep Cholesterol under Control
One of the most important steps to take is to simply learn the facts about what a high cholesterol level means, how it happens, and how it affects a person’s health. Preventative measures can go a long way to avoid the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
- Schedule a screening
- Eat foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated fat
- Maintain a healthy weight range
- Exercise regularly
- Follow the advice of a health care professional
Ways to Lower the Effects of Cholesterol
The two most important factors of lowering cholesterol are improving diet and getting plenty of exercise. For diet, the best way to transition eating habits is to start by making a few small substitutions in meals. Replace steaks, burgers and fried foods with healthier alternatives like fish, chicken or turkey that have been baked or broiled or even soy. Exercise can consist of simple things such as going for walks and stair climbing, to more ambitious physical activities like golf, softball, tennis, or a workout at the gym.
Check with Your Physician
Getting cholesterol levels under control is a task that should be done as soon as diagnosed with any problems. Before starting any diet or exercise regimen, it is important to discuss options with a doctor to determine current cholesterol levels and what is a good level of physical activity to perform.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3046103
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1516
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3046105
http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/Cholesterol_http://www.2sourcesofcholesterol.com/high_cholesterol/2sourcesofcholesterol/diet_exercise_cholesterol/index.jspsources.htm
http://www.2sourcesofcholesterol.com/high_cholesterol/2sourcesofcholesterol/diet_exercise_cholesterol/index.jsp
