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For this reason, it is critical then that we keep arteries free of bad cholesterol for optimal health. Fibrates Fibrates decrease triglyceride levels and raise HDL-cholesterol. It is recommended that you visit your physician on a regular basis to keep a keen eye on your levels. You should be resolved to eat only enough calories to improve your healthy weight and reduce your blood cholesterol level. Just 20 minutes of aerobic exercise, including walking, each day will lower cholesterol.

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11) Medical Alert bracelets. Pantethine has the further advantage of not producing the undesirable side effects of synthetic lipid lowering drugs. Nutrition Facts. 4) Get lots of appealing heart-healthy foods into your kitchen. Your best plan for that is to follow a lifestyle that is healthy. Once a woman starts menopause, the cholesterol level starts to increase.

Understanding the Types of Cholesterol

While most people talk about cholesterol levels there is in fact more than one type of cholesterol. In fact, there are several different body functions and several different substances that make up our understanding of cholesterol.

As with some fats, cholesterol cannot be dissolved in the blood. Instead, molecules called lipoproteins carry cholesterol to and from cells. Molecules are made from an outer layer of protein and an inner core of both cholesterol and triglycerides, which is another form of fat.

Lipoproteins equip the cholesterol to move around the body. The two main types of lipoproteins are:

1) High Density Lipoproteins (HDL.)

HDL transports cholesterol from cells back to the liver.

HDL is either reused or converts to bile acids and disposed. This is known as "good" cholesterol. You want to ensure that your levels of this cholesterol remain high for optimum heart health, since having too low levels of HDL - even when other cholesterol levels are normal - may lead to heart problems. As you work to lower your bad cholesterol it is important to also take steps and to keep your HDL levels normal.

HDL aids to ensure protection from the risk of heart attack and/or stroke. HDL consists of more protein than triglycerides or cholesterol, and aids to remove LDL from your artery walls.

2) Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL.)

LDL carries approximately 60_70% of cholesterol around the body and are known as bad" cholesterol.

Studies show conclusively that high cholesterol leads to much higher risk of heart attack and/or stroke. Other factors involved in this risk are age, gender, smoking, family history of heart disease, and diabetes mellitus.

Obviously, when we speak of having cholesterol levels we mean more than one number. To maintain optimum health, you will need to know your levels of both LDL and HDL and will need to work hard to keep both levels in healthy ranges.

However, these products still do often contain sodium, plenty of calories and some fats, so overindulging in these will certainly not allow you to keep your heart healthy. Sodium products can cause hypertension and other conditions that are dangerous for those who already suffer from high cholesterol. Keep fresh ingredients on hand and dont tempt yourself by keeping convenience foods and junk food in your house. If you make most of your diet fresh fruits and vegetables, you will enjoy lower cholesterol. Shred your favorite vegetables or cut them into very small pieces. You can only eat small portions of animal products before you have to worry about cholesterol content.