We have all heard this before; “Lower Cholesterol at All Costs!” and yet, you probably also have heard that fatty foods are not as lethal for you and your health after all. Both statements make sense, once you understand what cholesterol really is, and what it does to you.
Simply put, cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance that is carried in the blood. Cholesterol is naturally produced by your body, and also introduced through dietary sources such as cheese and egg yolks. It is essential for a variety of cell and body functions.
However, there are two types of cholesterol:
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LDL, also commonly know as “Bad Cholesterol.”
When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, LDL is responsible for its accumulation in the arteries, eventually creating plaque. Plaque decreases the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart and can eventually cause heart disease.
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HDL, also commonly known as “Good Cholesterol.”
Its role is to transport extra fats around your body to the liver, for excretion. Basically acting as a gentle scrubber inside your arteries, peeling away early plaque formation and toxins that inflame and irritate arteries.
As you read above, cholesterol is a very IMPORTANT substance. In fact, high amounts of HDL cholesterol are vital for your heart health. The formula for a healthy lifestyle is simple, your HDL should be HIGH and your LDL should be LOW.