Many of the foods you eat may be increasing your cholesterol levels. Find out why everyone should know their cholesterol.
Do you know what your cholesterol levels are? If you don’t, you’re not alone, but you should definitely find out. The following is an overview of cholesterol, why you need to know your numbers, and how to prevent high cholesterol.
Cholesterol Explained
The body naturally makes cholesterol in the liver and uses it for essential functions like making hormones and building cell membranes. However, if your cholesterol levels are too high, it can lead to plaque buildup in your blood vessel walls and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
There are different factors that affect your cholesterol such as what you eat, whether you smoke or not and your age. Moreover, some people have a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia that increases their numbers.
It’s also important to keep in mind that there are two main types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the bad kind because it builds up in your arteries over time.
However, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the good kind because it can help remove excess LDL among other things. One of the major factors contributing to high LDL levels is your diet, which is why experts recommend the Mediterranean and DASH diets to lower your levels.
Checking Your Levels
Since high cholesterol typically has no symptoms, the only way to know if you have it is through tests. Your doctor can consider factors such as age, birth sex, and medical conditions to determine your risk for high cholesterol.
According to the American Heart Association, you should check your numbers every 4 to 6 years if you’re over 20. However, if you’re older and/or have other risk factors like hypertension, you should check them more often.
It’s important to note that it’s not always obvious who has high cholesterol levels and who doesn’t. For example, you may be a young, fit, and overall healthy person, but your levels may still be too high.
Preventing High Cholesterol
When it comes to reducing your levels, you need to focus on the lifestyle factors that you can control. For instance, to increase your HDL levels and reduce your LDL, you need to be exercising on a consistent basis. In addition to exercise, you should eat a heart-healthy diet that emphasizes lots of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and limits foods with saturated and trans fats.
Moreover, you can lose weight and keep it in a healthy range, quit smoking or vaping, and take supplements like L-arginine Plus. Its ingredients are effective at promoting your cholesterol health, circulation, blood pressure health, and more. If you’re ready to give your health the support it deserves, then check your cholesterol and take L-arginine Plus.