As much as the body needs fat, it also needs healthy cholesterol levels to maintain optimum heart health and overall well-being. However, due to the ever increasing consumption of high cholesterol foods in the modern diet, people mess up the natural balance between LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). What results is the increased risk for coronary heart disease such as atherosclerosis. Years of careless consumption of high cholesterol foods might lead to clogged arteries, a condition that may be too difficult to reverse.

The body handles two types of cholesterol; the good cholesterol (HDL) and the bad cholesterol (LDL). The LDL or low density lipoprotein is called bad cholesterol because of its tendency to build up through the arterial walls, thereby increasing the risk of heart diseases such as atheroma. Atheroma, otherwise known as atherosclerosis, is a condition caused by plaque buildup in the arteries. This condition also causes “fat streaks” as fatty materials build up through the arterial walls. As the fatty material harden and thicken and form calcium deposits, they will eventually block the arteries.

Cholesterol is in fact essential to health. All vertebrates need a healthy dose of cholesterol to maintain healthy cells. Cholesterol actually turns into fatty lipids and alcohol, which are normally circulated through the body as it goes with the blood plasma and into the body tissues. But while this substance is important to maintaining health, it needs to be closely monitored. With the advent of fast foods and food take-outs, people have become susceptible to high cholesterol problems. When these foods are conveniently available to satisfy hunger, it sneakily feeds people with loads of bad cholesterol. More recently, statistics have shown that regularly consuming these high cholesterol foods can have a serious impact to health.

There is a steady increase in the number of people who become obese or overweight. Each year, medical bulletins and literatures are published to warn the public of the link between high cholesterol or fast food diet and obesity or weight problems. Once in a while, people are reminded of the importance of exercise in maintaining health. It seems that people are turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to these warnings. Cholesterol problems have been associated with debilitating health conditions such as high blood pressure or hypertension, stroke and heart diseases. Thankfully, with certain changes to one’s eating habits and lifestyle, these problems can be prevented.

The body naturally produces oils and substances that are vital to health. In your bloodstream, oils and fat is circulated to sustain healthy cellular functions. Organs like pancreas secrete insulin to assist in the process of food digestion and nutrient absorption. Cholesterol is included in the substances that are naturally produced by the body. However, larger portion of the total cholesterol in the body is sourced from the food you eat. There are two types of cholesterol found present in the body; the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is more popularly known as the bad cholesterol. Having too much of this kind of cholesterol subjects a person to an increased risk of developing or suffering coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

People who are beyond the age of 20 must start taking their blood cholesterol levels seriously. Most cases of high cholesterol problems fall in this age group. Immediately detecting cholesterol problems is extremely helpful in maintaining optimum health. Low cholesterol diet, medication, exercise and lifestyle changes do not hold the only solution to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Making necessary changes to one’s eating habits and lifestyle comes with a great deal of challenge. It is often difficult for people to stick to such changes. However, by following these practical suggestions, you may dramatically reduce your cholesterol levels.