If you're one of the 98 million Americans who have high cholesterol, you've probably made a decision to starting making changes in your diet and lifestyle. Although you can take medications to lower your LDL and raise your HDL cholesterol,...
According to Discovery Health, changes in dietary habits and lifestyle are important ways of controlling your cholesterol. You should avoid saturated and trans fats, eat more whole grains and vegetables, give up smoking and step up exercise. While...
Though the word cholesterol has negative connotations attached to it, the American Heart Association reports that cholesterol is actually used by our bodies in a healthful way. The key is to differentiate between the two types; HDL is considered...
Failure to acknowledge and address chronic health conditions like high cholesterol and blood sugar will eventually lead to more serious complications including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While there are some genetic...
Triglycerides, a form of fat, are found in food and manufactured and stored in fat in the body. Eating food provides energy. When energy needs are met, food breaks down into triglycerides and is stored in fat cells to be used when needed. Eating...
Bad cholesterol, also called low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is a substance that helps transport lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides through the blood. It is called "bad" because LDL is involved in atherosclerosis, the formation of plaques,...
The body relies on cholesterol to build healthy blood cells and organs. High cholesterol numbers may indicate an increased risk for heart disease because of the excess fatty deposits that build in the arteries, according to the Mayo Clinic. High...
More than 100 million American adults suffer from high cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association, with more than 35 million at high risk for coronary disease. High cholesterol can create a blockage and hardening of the arteries that...
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that the body naturally produces. However, if you get too much from your diet (high-fat foods and animal products) or your body naturally produces more than it can use, cholesterol builds up in the blood. Too...
High cholesterol levels have become a high-profile health issue in recent years, mainly due to the incidence of obesity and heart disease in the United States especially. According to the American Heart Association, over 35 million Americans have...
Cholesterol is a type of lipid or fat-like substance found in all parts of your body. It is required for the formation of cell membranes, hormones and vitamin D. However, excess cholesterol in your blood seems to speed up atherosclerosis or plaque...
Cholesterol is manufactured by the liver and stored in cells to be used for a variety of purposes, such as the production of vitamin D and certain hormones. However, an elevated level of low-density lipoproteins, or LDL cholesterol, is associated...
High levels of low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol increase your risk of medical conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. Your body produces all the LDL or "bad"...
High blood pressure and cholesterol are interrelated. They both are results of a compromised cardiovascular and circulatory system in which your blood is not being transported freely throughout your body's arteries, veins and capillaries. Luckily,...
When you find out you have an elevated cholesterol level you need to get busy finding ways to bring the bad cholesterol numbers down. Diet and exercise help, but sometimes your body needs a little boost. Cholesterol lowering medications have some...
Lowering your LDL, or bad cholesterol, is a key when trying to prevent heart disease. There is no miracle cure, though. Even with all the options -- dietary changes, lifestyle changes and cholesterol medications -- it still takes time for your LDL...
LDL -- low-density lipoprotein -- is commonly known as bad cholesterol. LDL builds up along the walls of your arteries increasing your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. While a number of cholesterol-lowering medications are available...
While dangerously high cholesterol numbers may warrant a prescription from your doctor, chances are you can lower your cholesterol the natural way. Regular exercise and healthier eating habits are essential and the first step in improving your...
According to the National Institutes of Health, cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood that is necessary for regulation of hormones, vitamin D, and digestion. However, if you have too much cholesterol, it can build up on the walls of your...
Spinal cord injuries typically result in fractures and compression of the vertebrae, crushing extensions of nerve cells responsible for carrying signals between the brain and body. The site adds that some injuries result in complete recovery,...
High cholesterol can strike at any age, increasing your risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke. To decrease these risks, it is necessary to keep your cholesterol within a healthy range. It is never too late to prevent high cholesterol and...
Blocked arteries develop due to a buildup of cholesterol and other substances within the arterial wall. One of the most effective ways of preventing this condition is to lower your low-density lipoprotein levels, also known as bad cholesterol....
Maybe you are familiar with the terms statins, fibrates and bile acid resins. These are cholesterol-lowering medications your doctor may prescribe when diet and lifestyle changes prove unsuccessful in your attempt to lower your cholesterol. You...
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. High blood cholesterol levels increase your risk of coronary heart disease. Making changes to your diet and lifestyle may...
High cholesterol levels increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. LDL -- low-density lipoprotein -- is what doctors refer to when diagnosing you with high cholesterol. Excess amounts of LDL build up in the walls of your...
Cholesterol can be both good and bad for you. Your body produces it naturally to produce hormones and form new cells, but it naturally makes only the amount your body needs. When too much builds up in your blood, it can result in heart disease and...
The body uses cholesterol, a soft waxy substance your liver produces, to build cells and make hormones. It also produces bile to help digest fats. Too much cholesterol in your body increases your risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke....
A number of risk factors contribute to high cholesterol. Some are within your control, such as a sedentary lifestyle, weight, smoking and drinking alcohol. Others, such as genetics, are out of your hands. Although high cholesterol in general...
Your body naturally produces cholesterol to form cells and produce hormones. Eating high-fat foods or leading a sedentary lifestyle can cause your cholesterol levels to rise, placing you at risk for heart disease, which is the leading cause of...
