Cholesterol-Lowering Secrets

First of all, high cholesterol is caused by genetic factors and dietary habits. If you are suffering from high cholesterol, there are some things you should know about how cholesterol effects your health.

So you haven’t studied up on how high cholesterol effects your body and you recently found out you have high cholesterol. You spoke with your doctor, and he didn’t give you a thorough explanation of you condition.

As a college educated nutritionist, I can give you some valid advice on how high cholesterol affects your health. I may even be able to answer some questions you have concerning how you may control blood cholesterol levels.

Simply said, cholesterol is a lipid that is found in your cell membranes. It is transported to your tissues by way of your blood. Cholesterol is produced in the liver, and is a byproduct of consumption of animal products, such as beef, liver, chicken, egg yolks, cheese, yogurt, butter, cream cheese, and anything else that is a food product made from an animal.

There are two main types of cholesterol. HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein). These are what many consider to be good and bad cholesterol, respectively. HDL cholesterol shuttles cholesterol out of the blood stream, to the liver, for removal from the body. LDL cholesterol does the opposite. It transports cholesterol from the liver, to the blood stream, which is where it causes health problems.

When excessive cholesterol floats around in our blood, it tends to react with oxygen, and what is left is a waxy substance, that sticks to our artery walls, causing an obstruction. The accumulation builds up until it causes a blockage, which manifests itself as a heart attack, or stroke, if the obstruction occurs in an artery located in your head.

How can you avoid developing heart disease, or suffering from a cerebrovascular accident (stroke)? There are a few things you can do.

Firstly, you should strive to maintain a healthy weight. This will reduce the amount of fat, and cholesterol that floats through your bloodstream. Next, you may want to visit the doctor to determine if you are suffering from high cholesterol as a result of genetic factors. If you are, you will want to pay attention to everything mentioned in this article, as you cannot control your high cholesterol by eating healthy and exercising alone. You may need to resort to pharmaceutical statin drugs.

In all cases, you should consider reducing your consumption of fatty meats, and dairy products that are not low-fat.

In addition, you should attempt to lose weight, if you are overweight, or maintain a healthy weight. You should increase your activity level, by exercising at a vigorous level for at least 30 minutes per day.

You may want to decrease consumption of animal products entirely, and increase consumption of vegetables, fruits, olive, canola and peanut oil, and beans. All of these foods contain cholesterol lowering fats, and fiber.

Always listen to your doctor. If you want an in-depth explanation, visit a dietitian. She or he is likely to have answers to any questions you have.

Good Health!