Control your cholesterolWhat is cholesterol? It's a waxy substance that's produced by the liver. It's also found in the foods we eat that come from animals, like meats, eggs yolks, shellfish, and whole milk dairy products. Who needs cholesterol? We all do. Our bodies need
cholesterol to function. But too much cholesterol can be bad for our health. When our bodies make too much cholesterol or too much is absorbed from the foods that we eat, it gets deposited in our arteries as plaque. Whether you have
high cholesterol can depend on your family history. Some people inherit genes associated with elevated
levels of cholesterol. This is
called familial hypercholesterolemia. These people may eat well and exercise, and still have high cholesterol. For others, diet and lifestyle determine cholesterol levels. The more fats they eat, especially from meat and dairy products, the higher their cholesterol levels may be. How do you know if your cholesterol is high? Many people don't. High cholesterol is what's often referred to as a "silent disease." People with high cholesterol usually don't have any symptoms. That's why it's so important for adults to make sure they get a cholesterol screening at least every 5 years.
Bad and good cholesterol There are two main types of cholesterol that can affect your health: · "Bad" cholesterol
Low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, are known as the bad cholesterol that can clog your arteries and put you at risk for
heart disease.
· "Good" cholesterol
High-density lipoproteins, or HDL, have been nicknamed
good cholesterol because it actually helps remove bad cholesterol from the body. There is a third type of cholesterol, called very-low-density lipoprotein, or VLDL. VLDL contains a kind of fat called triglycerides. High triglycerides, like high cholesterol, can put you at risk for heart disease. CRESTOR has not been shown to prevent heart attacks, heart disease, or strokes.
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