Ultimate Guide To Cholesterol

You have heard the doctor say to watch it. You have heard that some foods have an abundance of it—but what exactly is cholesterol anyway? Cholesterol is indeed acquired mainly in the types of food you eat, but that is not the only way this waxy type of matter gets into the body.

Role of Cholesterol to Your Health

Did you know that your liver makes cholesterol? Your body must have this substance to work correctly and keep you in good health. When there is an overabundance of cholesterol, that is when health problems start building up.

Like too much of anything, a build-up can damage the internal organs (e.g., the heart, liver, and more). When you get too much cholesterol in your body, it can cause trouble for your arteries.

Imagine a drainpipe in your bathtub. What happens if it is not cleaned out, and deposits of hair are allowed to build up? The opening that allows water to drain gets smaller and smaller. Then one day, when you get into the shower, the water has nowhere to go, so it pools at your feet.

Essentially, this is what happens when you have too much cholesterol. The arteries around the heart become too narrow for blood to flow adequately. This can lead to a blocked artery, causing a heart attack and damage to the heart muscle.

Types of Cholesterol

Cholesterol is broken into types, and some people get confused about good versus bad cholesterol. So what is cholesterol when it is grouped into categories? It is both good and bad.

Triglycerides

First, you have triglycerides. This is fat. You get this fat from overindulging in food (even ones that are good for you). What you eat undergoes a form change within the body, and triglycerides occur from certain foods, such as cakes, cookies, ice cream, candy, pies, and others. Triglycerides are also formed by drinking beer and other beverages containing alcohol.

LDL Cholesterol

Secondly, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are a type of cholesterol. This one has the most potential to cause damage to your heart. Hence, it is also denoted as the “bad” cholesterol.

HDL Cholesterol

Third, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) is the cholesterol that is very good for your heart. Think of this as a shield in your body trying to battle back against the bad or the LDL cholesterol. It is also known as “good” cholesterol. If your doctor tells you that you need to raise your HDL level, it is for your heart’s protection.

VLDL Cholesterol

Finally, there is the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), which is also bad cholesterol. The difference between LDL cholesterol is that VLDL contains more triglycerides, while LDL contains more cholesterol.

More importantly than wondering, ‘what is cholesterol,’ you need to know what the levels are within your body. By taking a simple blood test and sending it to a lab, you can see how much cholesterol is in your blood.

If you have good HDL levels, it is best for your heart’s health. If the results come back showing that you have both high triglycerides as well as high cholesterol, then your heart is in danger of developing heart disease or putting you at risk of a heart attack. Depending on the results, your doctor may prescribe lifestyle changes, medication, or both to get your levels where they need to be.

So help regulate your cholesterol levels and strengthen your overall health with Theobroma Superfood from Orgaanics.