High Cholesterol?

In recent years the interest shown in blood cholesterol has been at an all time high and you are constantly being asked if you have high cholesterol or low cholesterol. You need to separate the facts from the myths when talking about either low or high cholesterol.

High cholesterol is a major health concern. If your cholesterol's high, you need to start taking proper precautions and care to control the high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol clogs your arteries and is the prime cause of heart attacks. Being overweight is a major contributing factor of high cholesterol levels. A couch potato lifestyle coupled with a high fat, junk food diet is a sure indicator of high cholesterol. Stress is another important factor. Stress at work, home or play could lead to high cholesterol. For women, just the crossover from 49 years of age to 50 years could cause high cholesterol.

Everybody has two types of cholesterol - the good and the bad. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs), which are good cholesterol, transport the excess cholesterol to be broken down in the liver. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are the bad cholesterol and could cause a plaque build up in the arteries.

It is important to have regular health checks to determine if you have any high cholesterol symptoms. LDL levels should be maintained below 100 mg/dL and ideal HDL levels are over 40mg/dL. High cholesterol symptoms should be taken very seriously. If left unchecked and untreated, high cholesterol could result in a heart attack. The biggest problem is that high cholesterol increases gradually and has no warning signs. It is almost impossible to do a self-check for high cholesterol levels. Only a doctor can determine high cholesterol through proper testing including blood tests.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) launched The National Cholesterol Education Program in 1985. Their aim was to educate laypersons as well as professionals about the health concerns surrounding high cholesterol and to help them develop healthier food and lifestyle habits, leading to a reduction in their high cholesterol levels. Regular exercise coupled with a low fat diet helps control weight and is the best way to lower high cholesterol levels in the body. Giving up smoking is another factor in lowering high cholesterol.

You could begin to fight high cholesterol on the home front with a bit of substitution. Start using sunflower oil instead of fats, cream and butter. Sunflower oil is a great high cholesterol buster because the linoelic acid it contains it reduces deposits from the artery walls. So slowly but surely you'll start seeing an improvement. Taking garlic regularly is also a high cholesterol fighter and deterrent. If you find you just can't take the strong smell, take a supplement instead. And of course don't forget the Omega 3 in your battle against high cholesterol. Three servings a week of fatty fish like salmon and mackerel ought to do the trick. Just a little change in your lifestyle and food habits and high cholesterol could be a stranger in your life!