Things You Should Know About Bad Cholesterol
Cholesterol comes in two types, good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. However, most people don't really know the difference between the good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. People just usually try to avoid cholesterol and think of it as bad thing. So, what actually is bad cholesterol? Difference Between Good Cholesterol And Bad Cholesterol Cholesterol is a substance in our body, which can be found in our blood stream and cells. Our bodies need cholesterol so that it will be able to function well. Cholesterol also contributes to hormones and produces the cell membrane. HDL or high-density lipoprotein is the cholesterol known as good cholesterol. A certain quantity of our blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. The reason this cholesterol is considered good is because it protects our heart from diseases such as stroke. The minimum level for good cholesterol is of 40mg/dL or more. Bad cholesterol is known as LDL or low-density lipoprotein. It is bad since a high number of it can clog in the arteries. This will in turn result in a heat attack or other heart related diseases. In order not to pose a risk of any heart problems the level of bad cholesterol should be 200mg/dL or less. How To Control And Lower Bad Cholesterol The best thing to do if you already have high levels of the bad cholesterol is to consult your doctor. He can prescribe an efficient drug that will help you lower your bad cholesterol level gradually. Many cholesterol drugs are available over the counter. You can even find many natural remedies for this condition. However, as some of these cholesterol drugs have serious side effects, it is strongly recommended that you do not self medicate. Only your doctor can tell you the side effects of the drugs as he knows your medical history and conditions. If you have are healthy enough and already have normal levels of good and bad cholesterol, you may still want ensure that you stay that way. You can do that by eating healthy and exercising. Eating healthy means you should include food items that are low in saturated and trans fat and cholesterol. Always read your food labels because they provide all the above mentioned data and hence it will be easy for you to choose which food items are good for you and avoid food which is harmful for your health. Examples of food items containing high levels of cholesterol are: egg yolks, shellfish, poultry, meat, cheese and butter. Spend some time to find out your good and bad cholesterol levels. Besides that, you should also closely monitor your food intake and that of your family. Make them aware of the importance of staying under the limits of the bad cholesterol. A mere few minutes of self-educating yourselves can save your lives.
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