What is cholesterol?

Normal body fat: Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty chemical with bad press. It is a normal component of your cell membranes and a critical building block of many hormones that include the sex hormones and blood pressure hormones. The problem is that some types of cholesterol (e.g., ldl-c) when modified in blood vessels can trigger the atherosclerotic process that can block arteries to organs, that then malfunction.

Cholesterol control: Holesterol comes from two sources: your body and food. Your liver and other cells in your body make about 75 percent of blood cholesterol. The other 25 percent comes from the foods you eat. Cholesterol is only found in animal products. A cholesterol screening measures your level of HDL and ldl. Hdl is the "good" cholesterol which helps keep the LDL (bad) cholesterol from getting lodged into your artery walls. A healthy level of HDL may also protect against heart attack and stroke, while low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dl for men and less than 50 mg/dl for women) have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease. If you need to increase your HDL to your reach your goals, studies show that regular physical activity can help your body produce more hdls. Reducing trans fats and eating a balanced, nutritious diet is another way to increase hdl. If these measures are not enough to increase your HDL to goal, your healthcare practitioner may prescribe a medication specifically to increase your hdls. Ldl cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol. When too much of it circulates in the blood, it can clog arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Ldl cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, but many people inherit genes from their mother, father or even grandparents that cause them to make too much. Eating saturated fat, trans fats and dietary cholesterol also increases how much you have. If high blood cholesterol runs in your family, lifestyle modifications may not be enough to help lower your LDL blood cholesterol. Everyone is different, so work with your doctor to find a treatment plan that's best for you. Most importantly, having a good doest and exercise will lead to having higher hdl's.

A type of fat: Cholesterol is a large molecule that is made in the liver, packaged and sent out to the rest of the body in the blood. The "packages" are called ldl's and hdl's. Cholesterol is the building block for most of our cells, for hormones, and for other important body functions. Too much, or poorly packaged cholesterol, however can get stuck in the arteries and cause heart attacks &/or strokes.