Cholesterol is your friend, not your foe. Your body creates it to produce hormones like estrogen and form cells. Two main types of cholesterol exist -- LDL and HDL. Your LDL, low-density lipoprotein, is your bad cholesterol because it can build along the walls of your arteries, causing heart disease. Your HDL, high-density lipoprotein, is good, carrying excess LDL from your arteries and out of your body. Your LDL levels should be lower than 100 mg/dL, while HDL should be 60 mg/dL or higher. Improving your cholesterol means getting these...
One way to lower your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol quickly is with medication. If you're determined to improve your blood cholesterol levels without medication, you can make changes to your diet and your l...
High cholesterol occurs when fatty lipids build up in the blood vessels. With the fat blocking the blood vessels, it is difficult for blood oxygen to move through the vessels and arteries. Blocked arteries can cause a heart att...
The body manufactures cholesterol because a certain amount is necessary to good health. Problems begin when your cholesterol gets too high, increasing your risk for heart disease, stroke and heart attack. Examples of these fact...
Low levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol can also significantly increase these risks. You can improve your cholesterol levels with options that include dietary changes, exercise and medications.
High cholesterol levels leave you at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. Lifestyle changes in diet and physical activity, go a long way in improving your cholesterol numbers ...
Conversely, HDLs, which pick up and transport excess cholesterol back to the liver, are known as the "good" cholesterol. Exercise is known to increase the number of HDLs, thus improving cholesterol levels.
A reading of 200 to 239 mg/dL is considered borderline high risk, and a reading of 240 mg/dL and over is considered a high risk cholesterol level. Lowering your cholesterol level can be as simple as making healthier eating choi...
The body cannot produce some essential fatty acids that are necessary for your immune system, ability to stop and clot bleeding, and even to keep blood pressure down. These same fats seem to improve cholesterol as well.
Gradually changing the diet to include more natural and low-fat foods will start to change cholesterol levels for the better. Working to improve cholesterol levels will result in overall better health and possibly even more ene...
However, most experts agree that through all the fad diets, the following information always remains the same for improving cholesterol levels and protecting the heart. Consume foods high in fiber as your main source for carbs ...
