Cholesterol is found throughout the body and is essential for making cell membranes and hormones. There are two kinds of cholesterol. The first, known as HDL cholesterol, is considered "bad" because it can build up within arteries, causing heart...
Stereotypically, men carry weight in their stomachs and woman carry weight in their thighs and hips. However unpleasant this "pear shaped" figure might be, it is harmless compared to the risks that exist with belly fat. Women that have excess...
Cholesterol is an essential biomolecule that is used as a building block for vitamin D and hormones and it is used in the cellular membrane for structure. Cholesterol levels are also linked with heart disease and hypertension, but high "good"...
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the U.S., according to the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute, or NHBLI. High levels of LDL, which is low-density lipoprotein, cause narrowing and hardening of the arteries,...
Many Americans are concerned about their cholesterol levels because they know that having high cholesterol puts you at risk for numerous diseases. Women are particularly at risk due to their high rates of heart disease. Maintaining safe...
Cholesterol can be healthy for the body because it forms cell membranes. But cholesterol is also a waxy substance that can stick to the wall of the arteries, narrowing them and leading to heart disease or heart attack. That happens when there is...
Cholesterol is a waxy steroid needed for life. It is part of every cell membrane and is needed for vitamin D synthesis, hormone production and fat digestion. Your liver makes cholesterol and you get it through foods from animal sources....
High blood cholesterol increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and having a heart attack. Too much LDL cholesterol in the blood may cause fatty deposits called plaque to build up in the blood vessels. If enough plaque forms,...
Cholesterol comes in three types: the good, the bad and the triglycerides. Your good cholesterol --- HDL, or high-density lipoprotein --- helps move unhealthy fats in your bloodstream out of your body. Your bad cholesterol --- LDL, or low-density...
Heredity plays a role in high cholesterol for teenagers, but unhealthy diets and obesity have become increasing problems in recent years that lead to bad cholesterol levels. High blood pressure and smoking also contribute to high cholesterol in...
Pravastatin belongs to a class of medications called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, more commonly known as statins. Pravastatin, sold as Pravachol, is, along with other statins, one of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States....
Cholesterol is a type of fat found in foods. Anatomically, cholesterol is a fat that exists in your blood. The American Heart Association explains that lipoproteins play a role in transporting cholesterol so that it does not build up in the...
HDL and LDL refer to high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein, respectively. They are the two primary types of cholesterol produced by our bodies and contained in many of the foods we eat. HDL and LDL have different chemical and...
It is well known that elevated blood levels of cholesterol put you at risk for cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack or stroke. How increased cholesterol levels relate to other diseases is less understood. Recently, several research groups...
LDL refers to low-density lipoproteins, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. Lipoproteins are composed of protein and fat, and they carry cholesterol, triglycerides and fats in your blood to other regions of your body. According to the National...
High blood levels of LDL cholesterol may increase your risk for heart disease. Both genetics and lifestyle choices influence your cholesterol levels. Along with exercise and your weight, dietary fat and cholesterol may affect your cholesterol. If...
There appears to be a correlation between low vitamin D levels and high cholesterol. However, researchers are still trying to determine whether improving your vitamin D status can lead to a better cholesterol profile and reduced risk for heart...
Soy products are relatively new to Western culture, although they have long been a staple food in many Asian cultures. Soybeans and soy foods may be viable alternatives to dairy and meat, as a means of keeping cholesterol low as part of a...
More than a third of all men in the United States have high LDL, according to the American Heart Association, and about a quarter of all women have increased levels of LDL in their bloodstream. Medical professionals associate high levels of LDL...
Estradiol, estrone and estriol are three forms of the hormone called estrogen. Hormones are messenger molecules that travel through your bloodstream and interact with cells at specific target sites. Estradiol and estrone are produced and secreted...
Stress can cause mental and emotional strain that can lead to physical symptoms, including raised blood pressure, anxiety and depression. High levels of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol in the bloodstream can cause plaques to form on...
Bad cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. Your risk for heart disease increases when total serum cholesterol increases above 200 milligrams per deciliter; when LDL cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol, increases above 100 mg/dL; and when...
Cholesterol is necessary for cellular function, and it helps maintain cell membranes. Too much cholesterol can lead to long-term health problems, such as heart diseases. Knowing your LDL cholesterol range is essential for heart health. Early...
There is no doubt about it -- you currently live in a health conscious society, one that tosses around words like heart-healthy while promoting low-fat this and omega-3 that. You may ask yourself what all the hype is about; why is all of this so...
Your body needs cholesterol to produce cells, hormones, digestive salts and vitamin D, according to the Nemours Foundation. However, if your body has more cholesterol than it needs, this waxy substance can build up in your arteries, putting you at...
Besides being rich in omega-3 fatty acids, iron and dietary fiber, soy protein also contains compounds called isoflavones, which are believed responsible for most of its health effects. Soy protein is often substituted for animal protein, since...
For a time, high-protein diets such as Atkins, Protein Power, Sugarbusters and the Zone were all the rage, but soon, health experts began to question their benefits. Like any diet, if they lead to reduced calories, they will lead to weight loss....
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is the primary cause for stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease and blindness. Increasing your intake of dietary sodium increases your blood pressure. Processed foods contribute...
Many people still believe the misconception that heart disease occurs in men but not in women. In fact, the National Institutes of Health reports that heart disease is the leading cause of death and number one cause of disability among women in...
