Knowing the difference between good and bad cholesterol can help you adjust your lifestyle to keep your heart healthy. This is what you need to know about cholesterol.
Some people mistakenly assume that all cholesterol is bad. Some people know there's good cholesterol and bad cholesterol but get them confused. Basically, cholesterol is a waxy substance in your body cells. Your body makes some and you get more when you eat foods that come from animals. Some cholesterol is necessary for life, but too much bad cholesterol clogs arteries and raises the risk for heart disease and stroke.
The bad cholesterol are low density lipoproteins (LDL) that are high in fat and cause health problems. Excess LDL cholesterol can create plaque buildup that narrows your blood vessels and impedes blood flow. The good cholesterol are high density lipoproteins (HDL) that are higher in protein and help get rid of bad cholesterol. They send the excess cholesterol in your blood back to the liver to get broken down. In general, most people need to keep their cholesterol under 200 milligrams. If you’re at high risk of heart disease you may need to both lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol to 60 milligrams or more.
Health experts recommend that adults age 20 or older get their cholesterol tested every 5 years. If you have high cholesterol levels or have certain risk factors like being overweight or having a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease, you may need to get tested more often. A cholesterol test is a simple blood test that takes just a few minutes.
Many people can manage their cholesterol through a healthy diet and regular exercise. If you have high cholesterol and lifestyle changes alone don’t bring it under control, your doctor may suggest cholesterol lowering drugs like statins, which reduce the production of cholesterol in the liver. These drugs are most effective when used in combination with a healthy lifestyle so you may still need to lose weight, eat better and exercise more. The American Heart Association recommends limiting daily cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams so cut back on animal products including meat, eggs and dairy products as well as saturated fats. Eat more dietary fiber found in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to lower bad cholesterol. Regular exercise also lowers bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol.
Knowing the basic facts about good and bad cholesterol can help you live a longer and healthier life. Eat right, exercise and follow your doctor's recommendations.
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