What Affects Your Cholesterol Levels?

By Haman Oakley

Cholesterol is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Cholesterol can be good or bad for us. Since our body produces most of our cholesterol, it can't all be bad. The rest of the cholesterol in us comes in the form of food consumption.

Heart disease, heart attacks and strokes are often associated with cholesterol; however, there is good and bad cholesterol. If the levels aren't within the norms, the above results often happen.

As stated before, cholesterol is completely normal. It is used to produce cells and hormones. Since cholesterol is a somewhat waxy, soft substance found in your bloodstream, if there is too much present, it puts you at higher risk for some illnesses.

As stated previously, cholesterol is produced by your body and consumed through food. 25% of the cholesterol in your body comes from the food you eat. The rest of it is produced by your liver and other cells.

The cholesterol that increases your risk of heart attack or stroke is known as LDL. This cholesterol has a tendency to clog arteries when there is too much of it.

Genetics play a role in your cholesterol levels. Your body may create too much LDL because of your genetics. The foods you eat that have high quantities of trans or saturated fats will raise your cholesterol levels. If your family has a history of high cholesterol, watching what you eat may not be enough to lower your cholesterol levels.

Your blood requires lipoproteins to carry cholesterol to and from cells because it cannot be absorbed by the blood. Lipoproteins fall into two categories. The first is low-density lipoprotein, or LDL the bad cholesterol. The second, known as high-density lipoprotein, or HDL is good for you. These proteins along with cholesterol and triglycerides are what your cholesterol count is made of.

Arteries start to clog up if LDL levels are high. The combination of high LDL levels combining with other material results in plaque build up in the arteries. Plaque hardens the arteries.

Heart attacks can be prevented by HDL, or good cholesterol. The downside is that if your HDL levels fall below the normal levels, you are placed at higher risk for heart attacks.

Many people hold to common beliefs in regards to cholesterol.

The intestines and liver control LDL levels. Diet and exercise will help but will not completely lower the levels to normal range.

Using margarine instead of butter is not going to lower cholesterol. Both of these are high in certain kinds of fat. Since trans and saturated fats determine what your cholesterol levels are do not over use food high in these fats. Just changing to margarine is not going to help.

High cholesterol can affect anyone no matter how much you weigh.

Ultimately, you are responsible for your health. If you are worried about your cholesterol levels, ask your doctor if they believe it should be tested.

Most food that is low in cholesterol is more than likely going to be high in fat. Read the food labels before buying it.

Just because you take medication for high cholesterol, doesn't mean that you don't need to watch what you eat.

If you are going to eat eggs, keep in mind that they are good for you as long as take into consideration the cholesterol that you consume from other food as well.

Men are the only ones who suffer from high cholesterol. The hormone, estrogen, causes your cholesterol levels to rise. High cholesterol in women who are going through menopause is common. Cholesterol levels normally rise with age.

It is wise to start having the levels tested starting in your 20's. Middle age is not the time to all of a sudden start worrying about it. - 31875

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here