| We have all heard plenty of commercials, doctors | | | | affect cholesterol levels. Your diet, weight, |
| and friends and family say that we need to lower | | | | exercise regimen, age and gender are just a few. |
| our cholesterol levels. But leveling your cholesterol | | | | Those people who are overweight tend to have |
| isn't as easy as it sounds. When it comes to | | | | higher LDL levels. By exercising regularly you can |
| lowering your cholesterol levels, it will most likely | | | | help to reduce those LDL levels and increase your |
| take a dramatic change in lifestyle. | | | | HDL levels, thereby reducing the chance that you |
| Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is found in | | | | will wind up in a cardiac rehab program. You should |
| certain foods. It is found in dairy products, eggs | | | | have your cholesterol levels checked at least once |
| and meat. Another interesting fact is that | | | | every five years to make sure that you are at a |
| cholesterol is actually a substance that is also | | | | healthy level. If you are at greater risk for heart |
| made in the liver. The body needs some | | | | disease, you should get it tested more often. |
| cholesterol to function correctly. The cholesterol | | | | The best way for you to lower your bad |
| helps to produce hormones, vitamin D and the bile | | | | cholesterol is to begin eating a heart-healthy diet. |
| acids that help to digest fat. When there is too | | | | Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are high in |
| much cholesterol in the body than it needs, this is | | | | fiber. Fiber is believed to help lower bad LDL |
| when heart problems tend to develop. | | | | cholesterol. You should also try to avoid foods |
| Cardiothoracic surgery might be necessary for | | | | that are high in saturated fats and transfats as |
| someone whose arteries are blocked due to too | | | | well. If you want to add some fat to your diet, |
| much cholesterol. | | | | try using oils that are high in monounsaturated |
| There are two different types of cholesterol: low | | | | fats. Meat and dairy products are high on the list |
| density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density | | | | of foods that cause high cholesterol. If you know |
| lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is labeled as the "bad" | | | | someone with high cholesterol in assisted living in |
| cholesterol, since this is the type that causes the | | | | Illinois, suggest that they try substituting these |
| greater risk of heart disease. HDL is the "good" | | | | foods for healthier fish, soy or vegetable sources |
| cholesterol because it helps the body to get rid of | | | | of proteins. Eating a diet with less sodium is also a |
| the bad cholesterol. There are several things that | | | | great way to blast away that cholesterol. |