What Is Cholesterol??

What is it? The molecule itself is actually a combination of protein and fat and the ratio of protein to fat will determine which type of cholesterol it is. A cholesterol molecule that is high in fat content and low in protein is called LDL or low-density lipoprotein, which can cause the blood vessels to narrow and eventually lead to a blockage when the levels are elevated. A cholesterol molecule with a higher protein content is called HDL or high-density lipoprotein, which will help transport LDL cholesterol back to the liver where it is broken down and cleared from the body. Triglycerides are free floating fat in the blood, that when elevated will be transported to the liver and turned into unhealthy cholesterols.

Where Does it Come From? Cholesterol comes from two sources the first being the body and is produced in the liver. The other source is from the foods that we eat. Your body produces most of the cholesterol you need so being conscious of the total cholesterol intake from your diet is recommended.

How Do I Manage It? Most people can manage or decrease their cholesterol profile with simple dietary changes and an increase in exercise. It is usually recommended to try diet and exercise modifications before trying drug therapy. There are many drugs out there that can help to reduce cholesterol and ultimately decrease your risk of heart disease. If you are looking to reduce your cholesterol numbers be sure and speak with your primary care physician first in order to figure out the most effective way for you.

Which Exercise is Most Beneficial? Cardiovascular exercise seems to help the most when one is looking to reduce the LDL cholesterol in the blood. By adding 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise 4-5 days a week you might expect to see benefits in as little as 4 weeks. While strength training doesn't necessarily effect LDL cholesterol it has been linked to increases in HDL cholesterol.