High cholesterol levels

You have probably heard abtou high cholesterol levels due to diet, but do you know much more than that? Maybe you have also heard that your GP can perform a cholesterol test for you, but to keepo your body healthy read our simple article.

When it comes to keeping a lid on high cholesterol levels, your body needs help from two angles - your diet and from you exercising to keep the levels in your blood at a safe level.

This type of fat or lipid is vital for energy production, making hormones and in forming the building blocks that make up your cells. Yet, high cholesterol levels can lead to hardening and narrowing of the arteries.

This is known as atherosclerosis. Basically, fat builds up over many years on the lining of the arteries meaning that blood flow becomes restricted. This in turn causes heart disease and increases the chances of you having a heart attack or stroke.

There are actually two different types of cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (unsaturated fat) is very good for you and in fact helps to break down the lipids that cause the body damage.

The kind of fat that does you harm is known as low-density lipoprotein (saturated fat). The ratio of the two types to one another is what determines what is dangerous. You can find this out via a blood test. While genetics plays a major part in how your body deals with lipids, what food you eat can also have a significant impact. If there is a history of heart disease in your family, you should pay particular attention to how much and what kinds of fats you are consuming. Nevertheless, even if there isn't, it's important to watch your fat intake and try to eat food that is low in saturated fat.