Have you ever been concerned about your cholesterol levels? Some people have been told by their doctors that they have high cholesterol, and need to start watching what they eat, while others have a family history of high cholesterol and may be concerned that it may be affecting them too. High cholesterol can cause many severe health problems such as heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
So what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a soft, fatty substance that is found in the bloodstream and in the body’s cells. Your body and food are the two main places that cholesterol comes from. About 75 percent of blood cholesterol comes from the liver and other cells in the body. 25 percent comes from the food that you eat.
It is important to know that not all cholesterol is bad though. There is good and bad cholesterol. Too much bad cholesterol will circulate in the blood, which can clog the arteries and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Not enough good cholesterol can do the same.
Let’s talk about the bad cholesterol. There are many things that factor into having high cholesterol levels. It can be inherited from your mother, father or even grandparents if their bodies tend to produce too much cholesterol naturally. Food is one of the top causes to high cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is considered “bad” cholesterol. Hypercholesterolemia is the medical term for high cholesterol. Healthy eating habits as well as working with your doctor can help to keep high cholesterol levels under control.
Types of Cholesterol
So let’s talk about other types of cholesterol. There is LDL, or Low-density lipoprotein, is the “bad” cholesterol, and can be very dangerous if there is too much in your system. Combined with other substances, it can be carried through the system and form a hard, plaque-like material that can attach itself to arteries and cause pulmonary heart conditions.
HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is “good” cholesterol. High levels of HDL seem to protect against heart disease and stroke because they help to carry harmful cholesterol through the system. Low levels of HDL also can increase the chance of heart disease and stroke. Some experts believe your “good” cholesterol tends to help carry the bad cholesterol back to the liver where it can pass through the body.
Triglycerides are a form of fat made in the human body. Being overweight, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol and carbohydrates can all lead to high levels of triglycerides. High triglyceride levels in people can cause high cholesterol levels. People with diabetes and or/heart disease also tend to have high triglyceride levels as well.
Lp(a) is a genetic variation of LDL (bad) cholesterol. It is not fully understood by professionals yet, bur it is known that it may interact with matter found in the arteries and contributes to the build-up of fatty deposits.
Cholesterol can not dissolve in the blood stream. It is carried through the cells by lipoprotein, and it either filters out of the body through the liver or builds up in the arteries and bloodstream. There are many things that you can do to keep your cholesterol levels under control. You can eat foods low in cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat, maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and follow the advice of your professional healthcare provider. Alternative Health Supplements offers a variety of all-natural, safe products to help lower cholesterol as well.
Steven Johnson is interested in maintaining a vital and healthy lifestyle. For more information on various health products and other life-enhancing nutrients please visit his website Alternative Health Supplements.
|
