Treating High Cholesterol
When most people think of cholesterol, they usually think of it only as a bad thing. But not all cholesterol is bad for your body. Cholesterol is important to health, but when there's too much cholesterol in the bloodstream it can be unhealthy. Cholesterol, a fatty substance (a lipid) that resides in the bloodstream, has two sources; it is either produced by the body or consumed from food products. Since the body will naturally produce all the cholesterol it needs, it does not need to be a part of the diet.
There are two types of cholesterol, one that is beneficial to your body and one that is harmful to your body. The good cholesterol, referred to as "HDL" (high density lipoproteins), is naturally produced by your body and is important for good health. The bad cholesterol, called "LDL" (low density lipoproteins), is harmful to your body; it can clog arteries and increase the risk of having a stroke or heart attack . The goal of cholesterol management in the body, is to have a high level of HDL and a low level of LDL cholesterol.
Learning the facts about cholesterol is beneficial to your health, to help you understand what cholesterol is and how it affects your health.
High cholesterol is symptomless. It is important for adults to schedule an appointment with their doctor and have their HDL and LDL cholesterol levels checked every five years.
Eating a healthy diet is one of the most important steps in preventing high cholesterol. Choose foods that are low in saturated fat, low in cholesterol, and high in soluble fiber.
Cholesterol levels are improved with healthy eating, regular physical activity, a non-smoking lifestyle, weight loss, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Cholesterol lowering medications may be prescribed by your doctor if your cholesterol levels do not reach healthy levels thru diet and exercise alone.