The Basics Of Cholesterol

Today obesity and other health problems are truly becoming an epidemic which has caused people to take care of their health. One aspect that people need to know more about is cholesterol. The common misperception is that all cholesterol is bad, but in fact there is both good and bad cholesterol that play different roles in your body. This is why it is important to learn about cholesterol and how it affects your health so you know what your treatment options are. Basically there are two types of cholesterol LDL and HDL.

LDL And HDL

LDL is considered the bad form of cholesterol because two much of it in your blood can build up on the inner artery that feed the heart and brain over time. In addition, LDL can work with other substances in the body to form plaque which is a thick, hard deposit that can eventually clog the arteries causing a condition known as atherosclerosis. HDL is considered the good form of cholesterol since high levels of this will help protect people against heart attacks and too low of levels can actually increase a persons risk of heart attack.

Triglycerides

When discussing cholesterol there is one other factor you should consider and that is triglycerides. These are a form of fat that is found in food but is also made naturally in a persons body. This is important to cholesterol because it has been found that those with a high triglyceride level often also have a high total cholesterol, a high LDL and a low HDL.

It is very important to have your levels check regularly in order to keep yourself healthy and fit. Everyone’s health is affected to a large extent by cholesterol and you need to know when your LDL levels are too high, when your HDL levels are two low or when you have a combination of both. It is also a good idea to know when your body is healthy.

Although you need to check your levels regularly since they can change quite dramatically rather quickly. If you were checked about a month ago it doesn’t mean you are still healthy today. So it is important to make LDL and HDL levels a part of your regular checkup at the doctors office. This way you can stay on top of your health and know when you need to make the necessary lifestyle changes to prolong your life and reduce your risk of heart disease. You doctor can recommend the necessary lifestyle changes and medications that you may need if they find you have high or low levels.