What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver. It is essential to every cell in the body. Cholesterol also enters the body through the saturated fats we consume in certain foods.

There are two basic types of cholesterol. One is considered "good" the other "bad." The bad cholesterol is called Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). A blood test that reveals bad cholesterol below 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is considered good. The good cholesterol is the High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). It works to cleanse the blood vessels of excess LDL cholesterol, so a higher number, anything above 40 mg/dL is desirable. Overall or total cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL for optimal health.

Why Is It Important to Lower Cholesterol?

Lower cholesterol is important to living a long and healthy life, one that is free from heart disease or stroke. Those are risk factors that come with elevated levels of cholesterol. The health problems arise when there is too much total cholesterol in the blood because it can no longer move freely through the arteries. Over time excess cholesterol builds up against the artery walls and narrows the space through which blood flows. This narrowing of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. Eventually this passage becomes so small it closes off blood flow completely and the result is a heart attack or stroke. The risk of this is even greater if you also have high blood pressure, diabetes, or if you are overweight.

How Can You Lower Cholesterol Naturally?

Prescription drugs are commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol. One effective and popular class of drugs is called statin drugs. These medications do work to lower overall cholesterol, but carry with them a number of side effects, some serious. Such negative side effects can be nausea or vomiting, headache or diarrhea. There is also the risk of muscle weakness or soreness, which is an indication of possible kidney failure.

To lower cholesterol naturally, diet and exercise are imperative. A low fat, low cholesterol diet containing specific vitamins and minerals can significantly lower LDL cholesterol. This is true whether your cholesterol is the result of poor diet choices or hereditary. In addition, exercise can raise HDL cholesterol so that your body is better equipped to remove excess LDL cholesterol.

Learn more about the proven formula for lowering cholesterol naturally and how to avoid life-long drug therapies in The 60 Day Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure.

FOR MORE ANSWERS TO YOUR CHOLESTEROL QUESTIONS, SEARCH OUR INDEXED LIBRARY OF CHOLESTEROL-RELATED TOPICS.