Everyone has cholesterol. It’s used by a healthy body to
produce cell membranes and some hormones and helps with a number of
other bodily functions. However, when you have too much
cholesterol in your body, problems can begin to occur.
Your body “gets” cholesterol in two different ways: it produces it
naturally and you acquire additional cholesterol from the animal
products you consume, namely meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, and
butter.
Foods with saturated fats also produce cholesterol.
Fruits, vegetables and other “plant” products like grains don’t contain
any cholesterol.
Too much bad or LDL cholesterol, the result of the excessive intake of
the above mentioned foods, can cause clogged arteries, putting you at
risk for a stroke or heart attack. On the other hand, high levels
of good or HDL cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart problems.
Like many other diseases, high cholesterol is avoidable and controlling
it is easy if you take the time to adjust some aspects of your life and
lifestyle. It’s necessary to make a conscious effort to lower
your intake of saturated fats and cholesterol. This may mean
better planning for meals, bringing a bag lunch to work instead of
eating out, and saying “no” to the foods that you’ve always loved but
are bad for your heart. It takes some willpower to adjust your
eating habits, but your health may depend on it.
Exercise is also essential, especially if you’re overweight, but it’s
not necessary to dive into a huge exercise program all at once.
Starting with just 30 minutes of some sort of low-impact exercise each
day will help you to improve your chances of maintaining a healthy
heart. Consider walking or swimming. You can add to your
physical fitness program when you’re physically ready to handle more
exercise.
Lastly, if you already have a problem with high cholesterol, you may
need more than diet and exercise to control it. Be sure to have
your cholesterol checked regularly by means of a simple blood test and,
if the use of medication is indicated, be sure to be diligent in taking
it. Your healthy heart will thank you!
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