By Brian Cullen

Cholesterol can be both good and bad, so it is very important to learn what cholesterol is and how it affects your health. Learning how to manage your blood cholesterol levels and understanding the facts about cholesterol will help you take better care of your heart and live a healthier life, reducing your risk for heart attack and stroke. 

What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and cells. Cholesterol is made in the body as well as provided by your diet. The proper balance of cholesterol is necessary for good health.

What are the Different Types?
There are two types: HDL and LDL. Good cholesterol, HDL, aids the body in cell membrane production, the creation of some hormones, and other body functions. However, the wrong type of cholesterol, LDL, can lead to a stroke, heart disease or a heart attack. LDL is the bad type of cholesterol because it does not dissolve and must be carried away by the body. HDL is the good cholesterol because it helps carry away LDL, protecting the arteries from too much blockage and reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Who is at Risk?
As a rule, women have higher HDL cholesterol, the good kind, levels than men do. The female sex hormone estrogen tends to raise HDL cholesterol, which may help explain why pre-menopausal women are usually protected from developing heart disease. Estrogen production is highest during the childbearing years. Although the research is concrete showing why women have high HDL cholesterol levels, there is no specific reason why men tend to have higher LDL cholesterol levels. Many doctors and researchers speculate that Men tend to have higher LDL cholesterol levels because they consume more food on average than women, and therefore consuming more saturated fats and other foods that cause LDL cholesterol levels to skyrocket.

Teens are also at risk for having high cholesterol. The buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries begins in childhood and progresses slowly into adulthood. Lowering levels in children and adolescents may be beneficial. Below are a few steps that can be taken for children and teens to prevent high cholesterol:

• Eat healthy: Eating patterns and genetics affect blood cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease risk.
• Cigarette smoking should be discouraged.
• Regular aerobic exercise should be encouraged.
• High blood pressure should be identified and treated early

What Can you Do?
To control your cholesterol, get a cholesterol screening, eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and follow all your healthcare professional's recommendations. Top Nutrition brands such as, Twinlab and Only Natural, offer cholesterol supplements to help balance out good and bad cholesterol.

Some leading U.S. cardiology researchers note that coronary artery disease is relatively uncommon in people with very low cholesterol levels – a direct example of why it is very important to keep cholesterol levels low by eating healthy, getting regular screenings by your doctor and exercising at least 2 or 3 times a week.

Brian Cullen's Top Picks:
•  Cholesterol Supplements
•  Twinlab
•  Only Natural

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