Getting your blood drawn requires a trip to the lab, so health care providers often request that several tests be performed on one blood specimen. Common blood work for multiple issues includes glucose tolerance tests to check for diabetes and...
Lipids are naturally occurring organic compounds that are often associated with raising blood cholesterol, specifically fats, according Michigan State University's Department of Chemistry. There are several types of lipids that contribute to...
Blood tests can help your doctor determine risk for disease, diagnose disease or follow the progress of treatment. Two common blood tests are a lipid panel and blood glucose test. A lipid panel, also called a coronary risk profile, is used to help...
The fiber in your diet comes from the portions of fruits, vegetables and grains that your body can't absorb or digest. After you swallow bites of these plant-based foods, they travel through your stomach and into your intestines. The glucose,...
Blood lipid levels play a significant role in the health of individuals. High-density lipoproteins help to remove the buildup of plaque in the bloodstream. Low-density lipoproteins contribute to the buildup of plaque in the bloodstream that causes...
Understanding cholesterol and blood lipids helps you reduce your risk for developing heart disease. More than 102 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 35...
Beta-carotene is a dark-orange pigment found in many fruits and vegetables, most notably carrots. Your body is able to convert it to retinol, which is why it is called a precursor to vitamin A. Beta-carotene is a member of the carotene family,...
Your LDL lipids--or low-density lipoproteins--are better known as your "bad" cholesterol. It is the cholesterol everyone focuses on lowering because it tends to attach itself to the walls of your arteries when there is an excess amount in your...
Excessively high cholesterol levels are a leading factor in instances of heart disease and stroke. To asses one's risk of experiencing one of these health problems, a total cholesterol count is helpful. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is...
Blood tests are commonly used to measure various components in the blood that can detect disease or disease risk. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, blood tests can be used to measure blood components such as hemoglobin,...
Understanding what LDL is, what it does and why it is so important can be confusing at times. When your doctor tells you your LDL --- low-density lipoprotein --- level is too high and that you need to eat this or take that, you might do it just...
Doctors will often begin looking for clues to the cause of any heart problem with a blood test. In addition to checking blood pressure levels, doctors will often run lipid blood tests or a lipid panel to measure the fats in your blood. The higher...
The amount of different lipids or fats in your blood can indicate your risk of developing cardiovascular problems such as a stroke or heart disease. In addition to cholesterol, triglyceride levels are an important lipid in your blood. If you have...
Cholesterol testing plays an important role in your health. It gives your doctor a peek inside your heart health via one simple blood sample. The easiest test you will ever take, it can mean the difference between treating high cholesterol early...
HDL, LDL and triglycerides are various types of lipids that circulate throughout your bloodstream. They perform several important functions in your body, but excess amounts of them can be harmful to your health. Your doctor can perform a blood...
Your blood cholesterol level is an important indicator of health and your risk for disorders such as heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol does not generally cause any symptoms, and individuals with this disorder may not be aware that they...
Even if you don't have a complete understanding of lipids, it is important to realize the impact they can have on your health and your life. Lipids play a vital role in the functioning of your body, but when they rise beyond healthy levels, they...
Although the body needs cholesterol to function properly, and it occurs naturally in every cell of the body, too much cholesterol in the blood can build up in the coronary arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol itself is not...
According to the American Heart Association, when looking at your total blood cholesterol levels, you want to aim for reading of 200 mg/dL or less. Anything over 200 mg/dL puts you in a borderline risk category, and anything over 239 mg/dL is...
One of the best ways to measure your heart health is via a test known as a lipid panel that measures your overall cholesterol and triglyceride levels. While both triglycerides and cholesterol are types of lipids or fats in the blood, your body...
Fatty deposits can occur in the body from various causes such as high cholesterol or triglycerides and as a result of damage to the arteries. In mild cases of fatty deposits, xanthomas, or fat deposits under the surface of the skin, can develop....
You visit your dentist every six months for a dental exam, you take your car every three months for an oil change and you keep your appointment with your nail technician every two weeks to ensure your nails look their best. Yes, all of these are...
When it comes to your cholesterol, you can never play it too safe. This means knowing and recognizing your risk factors, eating the right foods and above else, knowing what a healthy cholesterol level is. Understanding your cholesterol and what...
Lipids are a fat in your your bloodstream requiring a blood test to measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood, according to MayoClinic.com. Your body relies on certain amounts of cholesterol for healthy cells, however, when...
Lipids are fatty substances that cannot dissolve in the blood and therefore circulate through the body in the bloodstream. The body needs lipids in small amounts to carry out numerous cellular processes and different body functions. When lipids...
Vitamin B3, or niacin, is an essential nutrient required by the body to metabolize carbohydrates from foods into energy. It is also important for the function of the nervous system and digestive system and for healthy eyes, skin and hair. Though...
Having high cholesterol, or hyperlipidemia, means experiencing raised levels of fats in your bloodstream. Over time, having high cholesterol can lead to other serious medical problems. One of the best things you can do for your health is to lose...
According to the American Heart Association, hyperlipidemia is a condition in the human body characterized by high quantities of lipids in the blood stream. Lipids include cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids, and they move in the blood...
More than 106.7 million Americans have high total cholesterol, according to statistics released by the American Heart Association. Cholesterol is at least partly responsible for coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. Not all parts of...
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.
