The aggressive presence in convenient nutrition options (for example, processed food and fast-food), constant reasons to create speedy nutrition options, and the related reduction in physical activity connected to busy lifestyles can lead to health problems for millions of people. One major focus for doctors to encourage healthy eating is to have patients control their cholesterol.
What is Cholesterol ?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced in our body's by the liver and introduced into our bodies from foods like meat, eggs and dairy. Cholesterol helps the body with improving immunity, keeping our blood healthy, and keeping our hormones balanced.
There are two popular forms of cholesterol HDL and LDL. Their benefits are carefully analyzed by doctors and described in the following ways:
HDL (High Density Lipoprotein)
HDL cholesterol is commonly described as a "good" cholesterol in the non-scientific world.
The benefits of HDL include:
Offering a source of antioxidant
A natural anti-inflammatory helping physical comfort
A non-aggressive anti-blood clotting benefit helping reduce cardiovascular diseases
The levels for HDL cholesterol are recommended to be around 50 mg/dL.The following recommendations are made to increase the levels of HDL for a healthier life:
People should exercise for at least 30 minutes, 5 times every week
People should quit smoking
People can avoid or reduce saturated fats in their diets
People can lose weight to improve HDL
LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein)
LDL cholesterol is commonly described as a "bad" cholesterol in the non-scientific world.
The benefits of HDL include:
nerve protection
hormone regulation abilities
LDL is so abundant of a cholesterol that recommendations on the amount to consume is rarely advised, especially because of its association with risk factors. Here's a sample below from the website my.clevelandclinic.org that show levels at which LDL should be monitored.
Less than 70 mg/dL for those with heart or blood vessel disease and for other patients at very high risk of heart disease (those with metabolic syndrome)
Less than 100 mg/dL for high risk patients (for example: some patients who have diabetes or multiple heart disease risk factors)
Less than 130 mg/dL for non-risk factoring people
There is plenty of information about why people should keep LDL low and why diet and exercise are good ways to reduce the harmful effects that are associated with LDL including atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
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