You have more than one type of cholesterol in your body, one being good, the other bad. Many feel their main concern is their LDL levels, the bad cholesterol. Your HDL is equally important though, as it carries excess amounts of LDL from your...
More than 120 million people in the United States have high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 35 million Americans have cholesterol levels high enough for them to be at risk for heart disease. Reducing...
Hardening of the arteries takes place when there is excess cholesterol flowing through the blood. Plaque forms on arterial walls and compromises blood flow to the heart. Chest pain can develop as a result, and if the blockage becomes severe, a...
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and having high blood cholesterol levels can increase your risk for developing heart disease. If your levels are...
Healthy cholesterol levels go beyond your LDL -- low-density lipoproteins -- or bad cholesterol. It includes your HDL -- high-density lipoproteins -- or good cholesterol, too. The levels you should aim for are clear cut; less than 100mg/dL is...
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your body's cells. It is essential for certain bodily functions, including digestion, vitamin D synthesis and hormone production. However, when too much cholesterol builds up in the blood, it poses serious...
Hypercholesterolemia is not a term many people are familiar with--high cholesterol is. As the Mayo Clinic explains, this condition is not only treatable, but preventable. Recognizing the risk factors for this condition is only one piece of the...
High blood cholesterol levels, or hypercholesterolemia can be caused by many factors; some of which you can control and some which you can not. When your total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol levels get too high, your risk for heart disease rises...
Drinking wine can have beneficial effects on your blood cholesterol levels when consumed in moderation. Excessive wine consumption, however, can negatively affect triglyceride levels and increase your risk of heart disease. Public health...
A diagnosis of high cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, puts you at increased risk for developing a myriad of cardiovascular disease. When your cholesterol is tested you will receive feedback on your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL...
Following the right diet is the best thing you can do to keep your cholesterol levels healthy. One practice that works well for this is to use cooking oils that raise your levels of good cholesterol rather than bad cholesterol. Vegetable oil can...
Fiber comes in soluble and insoluble varieties, both of which prevent constipation. Insoluble fiber is not digestible, but it keeps other foods you consume moving steadily through your gut and promotes formation of solid but soft stool. Soluble...
High blood cholesterol levels increase your risk for developing heart disease. Fortunately, there are ways to help lower cholesterol with lifestyle changes, such as altering your diet. Consuming dietary fiber has many health benefits; however many...
Doctors monitor cholesterol levels because high cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, but it causes no symptoms. The only way to find out if you have high cholesterol is with a blood test. Healthy adults should have their...
Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease characterized by thickening of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. The thickening is caused from a plaque buildup, linked to cholesterol levels, primarily the LDL, or low density...
High blood cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease, which is one of the leading causes of mortality in the United States. Fortunately, many of the risk factors of high blood cholesterol are within your control. For most people, a proper...
High cholesterol poses numerous health risks including heart disease, heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease. Although several medications are available to treat this condition, lifestyle changes such as healthy diet are usually the...
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in cell membranes and transported in the blood. It is needed for the maintenance of cell membranes and for the production of some hormones and bile acids. Despite cholesterol's importance for good health, too...
If you struggle with weight or cholesterol levels, you have probably considered following a diet high in protein. Proponents of high-protein diets claim that restricting your carbohydrate intake helps you lose weight faster, explains Dr. Michael...
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance located in cells of the body and the bloodstream, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The body needs cholesterol to build and maintain healthy cells. High blood cholesterol levels...
Some of the cholesterol in your blood is made by your liver and the rest comes from your diet. Your body uses cholesterol to make bile, steroid hormones and cell membranes. If you have high levels of cholesterol in your blood, it can increase your...
When increased blood cholesterol levels are a concern, the type of cholesterol discussed is harmful, or "bad," cholesterol. Otherwise known as LDL (low density lipoprotein), this type is known for causing a variety of health ailments that can lead...
Your cholesterol measurements provide you with three numbers that tell you a lot about your risk for heart-related illnesses. The first tells you about how much total cholesterol you have circulating in your bloodstream. Another provides you with...
Fats, or lipids, are necessary for the metabolic processes in your body, but too much can put you at risk for coronary heart disease. Lipid levels are determined by the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. An increase in your...
Blood consists of red blood cells that carry oxygen, white blood cells that protect the body and platelets that form clots to prevent bleeding. In addition to the three main types of cells, blood also carries proteins that perform a variety of...
Cholesterol is a thick waxy substance produced by the human body for use in the production of hormones such as estrogen, testosterone and cortisol. It is also used in the formation of bile, which the body uses to break down fatty foods....
Too much blood sugar can cause diabetes. Types of cholesterol evaluated by physicians to check for heart disease include low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides.
Blood is the carrier of oxygen, carbon dioxide and a variety of nutrients, including cholesterol and sugars. Cholesterol and sugars, especially glucose, are required by virtually all cells in the body. Cholesterol is needed for structural...
HDL, or High Density Lipids, is the good cholesterol that is found in the human body. It's opponent, LDL, or Low Density Lipids is what is responsible for plaque build up in the arteries and heart attack risk. HDL is responsible for carrying the...
Soluble fiber is important for maintaining regularity in digestion. Try these tips for buying soluble fiber in this healthy shopping video.
Grains and cereals, including wheat and rice, are the foundation of a healthy diet and the food pyramid. Try these tips for buying grains and whole grain in this healthy shopping video.
Diet is a large part of diabetes type two. Some diabetics can actually reduce the need for insulin through proper diet and exercise. Learn more about what to eat as a diabetic in this video.