It’s estimated that at least half of all Americans have either high or borderline cholesterol levels. These elevated levels will put you at a much higher risk of experiencing a stroke or heart attack.
Our bodies naturally produce cholesterol. It is made in the liver, helps form cell membranes, creates some of the hormones we need and even helps our bodies digest fat. Cholesterol is found in every cell of our bodies. It is in our skin, nerves, muscles and even our brain.
Besides the natural cholesterol the liver makes, we get even more from lots of the foods that we eat. Although, besides our diet there are other factors that can elevate cholesterol like stress, heredity, weight and even age.
Our bodies naturally contain two types of cholesterol, HDL is called the good cholesterol, while LDL is bad cholesterol. Cholesterol is taken back to the liver to be broken down by HDL, while LDL carries it away from the liver and into the bloodstream.
When excessive amounts of cholesterol are present in the bloodstream, it adheres to the vessel walls and hardens the arteries restricting the amount of blood flow to the heart and brain and increasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
High cholesterol and the increased risks attributed to it can be reversed. Lowering your levels is often only a matter of eating a diet low in cholesterol, losing weight and adding a exercise routine.
Reducing saturated fats in your daily diet and eating foods that lower cholesterol, such as fish, oats, whole grains and yogurt can assist you in bringing your levels under control.
The simple lifestyle changes that you can make won’t have much effect on your cholesterol if it is an inherited condition or your body has just begun to produce too much for some reason. In these cases the only alternative may be for your doctor to prescribe one or several medications.
A lot of things that put us at higher risks for strokes and heart attacks sometimes can’t be controlled, but high cholesterol is one thing that we can usually keep under control. If you’ve been told that yours is high or borderline then start making those changes right away. It could literally extend your life!
Don’t gamble on your health due to ignorance. Click on the links and learn about cholesterol lowering foods, improved diet, how to use a cholesterol monitor, and much more.
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