Many people think that cholesterol is always a bad thing. It has always been associated with many diseases like stroke and heart attacks. That is why many people go to the doctor to get their Cholesterol Levels checked. Although not definite, knowing the balance between good and bad cholesterol can help you picture out how healthy you really are and how at risk you body is in getting heart disease and stroke.
But first let's clear up some misconceptions. In general, cholesterol is very important in the body. It helps create cell structures. It also aid in the production of hormones like estrogen and testosterone. It also provides insulation to the cells in the nervous system. Cholesterol has plenty of important functions in our body. It becomes a problem when we take too much of it and that is the real problem.
In our body there are two types of cholesterol that roam around the good cholesterol or HDL and the so called bad cholesterol or LDL. The first one is famously known as the bad cholesterol which is called as the LDL cholesterol. This guy carries around cholesterol and delivers it to the cells for proper usage. It delivers cholesterol to the different areas of the body that needs it. But sometimes, when too much of him roam around, some of the cholesterol they carry can stick to the arteries which can lead to clogging. So in order to protect our body from such an event, the HDL cholesterol or the good cholesterol acts as a janitor of the body. It is responsible for carrying extra cholesterol out of the body. These two guys must work hand in hand so a perfect balance must be maintained to avoid bad things from happening.
There are plenty of ways for you to maintain good HDL Cholesterol Levels while lowering your LDL cholesterol to an acceptable level. First you have to do is to live a healthy lifestyle. Get yourself regular exercise. You also have to change your eating habits like eating more fruits and vegetables and lessening fast food in your diet. Some would also recommend getting your daily dose of vitamins and minerals by taking a multivitamin. Dietary fiber is also very important in lower LDL levels and can help prevent constipation too. These healthy fats can help increase HDL and also prevent heart diseases.
Nature and science also provides us will solutions. There are herbs that can help in your quest to maintain healthy cholesterol in the body. Taking garlic, ginseng, chili, green tea and Echinacea will help you naturally control cholesterol levels. For those who want it done quickly, medicine also gives you statin drugs that actively lower LDL levels and increase HDL levels.
If taken in combination, a healthy lifestyle and the right prescription can pave a way for you to have normal cholesterol levels and soon a better body and life.
