Cholesterol – we all know it's bad for us, but at the same time, we're not sure why. With prescription drug commercials promising to lower our cholesterol, it seems that everyone is susceptible to higher than acceptable levels. However, understanding the importance of having cholesterol and managing unhealthy levels does not come in a pill form. Before you can take charge of your health, you need to learn the basic of cholesterol, what it is, why you need to control it, and how to finally get your numbers to the right level.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a yellow waxy substance in your body that helps in a number of ways. Cholesterol protects your nerves, produces some essential hormones, and even makes cell tissues. Without cholesterol, your body would suffer, so managing your levels isn't about cutting out cholesterol altogether. But at the same time, you do need to watch how much you take in.


The cholesterol your body needs is created in your liver. Even if you were to eschew meat and dairy products for the rest of your life, chances are good your liver would still be able to make the cholesterol your body needs to stay healthy. It's just when you begin to take in too much through your diet or when your liver begins to produce too much that things begin to get complicated.

There are two kinds of cholesterol in the body – LDL and HDL. LDL (low density lipoproteins) are the proteins in the body that deliver cholesterol to the bloodstream. HDL (high density lipoproteins) take the cholesterol out of the bloodstream.

Why Do I Need to Control It?

Just as moderation is the prescription for all things to do with your health, controlling your cholesterol is the key to preventing future disease. Since too much cholesterol can build up in your arteries, it can cause troubles with your circulatory system and with your heart. Since the arteries are the blood vessels that take blood away from the heart and into the other parts of your body, they need to clear and free of obstruction.

When you have cholesterol building up in your arteries, the blood flow is slowed or eventually blocked completely. Cholesterol buildup can also cause the arteries to narrow and to harden – also known as arteriosclerosis.

If the blood flow from the heart should become blocked completely, that can cause a heart attack. The muscle of the heart can not function properly and heart muscle can die as a result. If there is an artery blockage in an artery that moves toward the brain, the patient can suffer a stroke.

How Can I Control My Cholesterol?

Cholesterol management begins by knowing what your cholesterol levels are. You can have these tested with a home kit, now available in chemists or you can have your doctor draw blood. When you find out your number, you can then assess what you need to do in order to manage your cholesterol levels.

The recommended cholesterol level is no more than 200 mg/dL. Anything between 200 and 239 is considered to be borderline high cholesterol, while anything over 240 is considered to be quite dangerous.

You should also aim for an LDL level of less than 100 mg/dL and an HDL of more than 60 mg/dL.

Men should begin to get their cholesterol checked at the age of 35, while women should get their cholesterol levels checked at age 45. These tests should be done on a yearly basis, or as recommended by your doctor. As high cholesterol is often genetic in nature, if you have a family history of heart disease or of high cholesterol, you may want to begin testing at an earlier age.

Controlling your cholesterol isn't necessarily as easy as avoiding foods with high cholesterol contents – any animal products, such as meats and dairy products. While many people do find they can control their levels in this way, others will need to do more.

• Quit smoking
• Take prescription medications
• Exercise
• Eat more fiber
• Lose weight
• Consider hormone therapy for women over 55

The easiest way to start managing your health as well as your cholesterol levels is through your diet. By removing high fat meats, eggs, and dairy products from your diet, you can begin to reduce the cholesterol you take in. It is also a good idea to cook at least 2 meals a week without any meat at all.

However, some patients can not manage their cholesterol levels without prescription medications, so you may need to try this course of treatment at some time as well.

The more you take control of your cholesterol now, the more likely you are to avoid problems with heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. Protect your heart today!

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