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What
is cholesterol,
and what you need to know about it.
Cholesterol
is a waxy substance produced by the liver and also supplied in the
diet through animal products such as meats, fish, poultry, and dairy
products. The most commonly known types:
"Bad"
cholesterol
is low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol.
When excess LDL builds up in your arteries, it may lead to heart
disease.
"Good" cholesterol
is high-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol.
It's good because it is believed to remove bad cholesterol from
the blood.
Triglycerides
are another type of fat in your bloodstream.
People with a high blood triglyceride level may also have a high
LDL level.
How
often should my cholesterol be checked? Adults
over the age of 20 should have
their cholesterol levels tested every 5 years. Depending on your
medical and family
history, your doctor or healthcare professional may want to monitor
your cholesterol
levels at more frequent intervals.
How
can high cholesterol be reduced?
A healthy, low-fat diet that includes fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains, along with regular exercise, can help
reduce
cholesterol to some extent. Once you're had your cholesterol levels
checks, your
doctor may also find it necessary to prescribe medication.
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