Cholesterol and Heart Disease
We’ve all heard about the various reasons to keep our cholesterol down, from reducing risk of heart failure to heart diseases. But what is cholesterol exactly? Is it dangerous and if so, why does it appear to be everywhere that tastes good? What’s the difference between LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol? And, what do cholesterol and heart disease have to do with each other?
What Is Cholesterol and Where Does It Come From?
A fatty substance, cholesterol is actually an important part of the membranes in animals as well as humans. Cholesterol comes from two things: what you eat and from your liver. Dietary cholesterol or cholesterol from things you eat comes from a lot of sources, but they are mainly found in meat, fish, dairy and dairy products and, of course, poultry such as chicken. Food from internal organs, especially liver, come with high amounts of cholesterol. Cholesterol produced from your liver is secreted straight to your bloodstream as needed.
LDL Cholesterol and HDL Cholesterol?
Two Ls are bad, one L is good, generally. LDL cholesterol is what is commonly referred to as bad cholesterol. This is the cholesterol that links cholesterol and heart disease together. Higher LDL cholesterol levels lead to higher risk from coronary heart failure. LDL leads to what is called cholesterol plaque, which forms in the arteries and causes them to narrow and thicken, both of which are terrible for blood circulation.
On the other hand, HDL cholesterol is like LDL’s superior big brother, the one that got all the good genes. It actually removes and extracts cholesterol from the arteries’ walls and put them in the liver for proper handling. This information means that you basically need low LDL and high HDL to take care of your heart.
Generally, the close relationship between LDL cholesterol and heart disease means that the current aim of most doctors is to make us lower LDL cholesterol levels as much as we can. It reduces the risk for both heart attacks and strokes, both of which pretty much mean bad things for people.
Lowering LDL Cholesterol
There are various methods available to help lower LDL levels. First and foremost, which also works in terms of prevention, is a therapeutic or healthy lifestyle such as one with exercise and a better diet. Reducing cholesterol intake is definitely the first step. Eating LDL heavy foods while trying to prevent heart disease is like smoking while training for a marathon. For more severe cases, medication is prescribed. It is best to confer with a doctor when it comes to the prescription of this medication as possible misuse of cholesterol-reducing medication can lead to untoward side effects.
Generally, lower is better. Healthy levels of cholesterol vary from person to person. Most doctors and scientists only have educated guesses through extensive testing and measuring from various people who are considered healthy.
Who You Gonna Chol-sterol.
Cholesterol and heart disease is a scary relationship long documented and feared, robbing families of fathers and mothers far too early in life. Lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol and make sure that you increase the chances of sticking around for a long, long time for you and your family’s sake.