You’ll be surprised how little people know about something as important as their cholesterol level.
Your Body Actually Needs Cholesterol
Cholesterol
actually has health benefits which your body needs. Cholesterol helps
to make key hormones, synthesizes vitamin D, is an essential component
of cell membranes and is needed for brain and nerve function. The
problem, however, is when the level of cholesterol in the body is
excessively high.
There’s Bad Cholesterol and Good Cholesterol
Cholesterol
is carried through the body by high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and
low-density lipoproteins (LDL). LDL is considered the “bad” cholesterol
because it deposits plaque in your arteries; HDL is considered the
“good” cholesterol because it transports bad cholesterol from your
batteries back to your liver, where it is removed from the body.
Typically, a high LDL cholesterol poses a greater risk of heart disease,
while high HDL is protective against heart disease.
Genetics and Diet Can Cause High Cholesterol Levels
High
cholesterol can be caused by your diet and it can also be inherited.
Some people inherit genes that cause their bodies to make too much LDL,
and eating foods that are high in saturated and trans fat (like cheese,
red meat, fried foods etc.) can also raise LDL.
Physical Activity
Remember
the saying, “Your body has so many joints, because it was made to
move”? There’s no truer saying. Aside keeping you fit, physical activity
helps boost HDL and flush bad LDL out of your system.
Eat Some Nuts
Nuts and olives are the two main foods believed to contain nutrients that help to stop LDL from damaging arterial walls.
Regular Checks
It’s
recommended that everyone age 20 years old and older should have their
cholesterol level measured at least one every five years.
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