It
may surprise you to know that cholesterol itself isn't bad. In fact,
cholesterol is just one of the many substances created and used by our bodies
to keep us healthy. Some of the cholesterol we need is produced naturally (and
can be affected by your family health history), while some of it comes from the
food we eat.
There
are two types of cholesterol: "good" and
"bad." It's important to understand the difference, and to
know the levels of "good" and
"bad" cholesterol in your blood. Too much
of one type — or not enough of another — can put you at risk for coronary heart
disease, heart attack or stroke.
View an animation of
cholesterol | Cholesterol comes from two
sources: your body and food. Your liver and
other cells in your body make about 75 percent of blood cholesterol. The
other 25 percent comes from the foods you eat. Cholesterol is only found in
animal products. |
A cholesterol screening measures your level of HDL and LDL. HDL is
the "good" cholesterol which helps keep the LDL (bad) cholesterol
from getting lodged into your artery walls. A healthy level of HDL may
also protect against heart attack and stroke, while low levels of HDL (less
than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women) have been shown to
increase the risk of heart disease.
If
you need to increase your HDL to your reach your goals, studies show that
regular physical activity, such as at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity
aerobic physical activity (e.g. brisk walking) every week or 75 minutes of
vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity (e.g., jogging, running) or a
combination of both every week can help your body produce more HDLs.
Reducing trans fats and eating a balanced, nutritious diet is
another way to increase HDL. If you smoke - stop: cigarette smoking
can decrease your HDL. If these measures are not enough to increase your
HDL to goal, your healthcare practitioner may prescribe a medication
specifically to increase your HDLs.
LDL
cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol. When too much of it circulates
in the blood, it can clog arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and
stroke.
LDL
cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, but many people inherit genes
from their mother, father or even grandparents that cause them to make too
much. Eating saturated fat, trans fats and dietary cholesterol also increases
how much you have. If high blood cholesterol runs in your family, lifestyle
modifications may not be enough to
help lower your LDL blood cholesterol. Everyone is different, so work with your
doctor to find a treatment plan that's best for you.
Learn
more:
This content was last reviewed on 12/10/2012.