High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance found in every cell in the body. It’s essential because it creates vitamin D, hormones, and other substances that aid in digesting food. The liver produces most of the cholesterol that the body needs. However, it’s also found in the food you consume, such as meat, cheese, and egg yolks. It generally comes in two forms: LDL or low-density lipoprotein and HDL and high-density lipoprotein.
The former is the unhealthy cholesterol that builds up in the arteries and forms waxy fat deposits known as plaques. The latter is the healthy one that transports extra cholesterol out of the arteries and into the liver, where it’s flushed out of the body. Cholesterol isn’t necessarily bad, but too much of it can lead to cardiovascular, circulatory, and digestive problems.
There are many ways to avoid high cholesterol. Getting 30 minutes of regular physical activity can lower triglycerides and LDL while improving HDL cholesterol levels. Adopting a diet that consists of various fruits, vegetables, nuts, soy, and fish while reducing consumption of saturated and trans fats and red meat can also maintain healthy cholesterol. Studies also show moderate alcohol intake to be beneficial.
