LDL Cholesterol And Heart Disease

We've all heard that there's good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. LDL falls into the bad category.

LDL refers to a combination of low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol. The liver produces cholesterol to perform a number of important cellular functions, however when our body produces more than we need, our health can seriously suffer. Low-density lipoproteins bind with the cholesterol and carry it throughout the body in the bloodstream. When they bind with too much, we can end up with high bad cholesterol levels. LDL is often referred to as the 'unhealthy' or 'bad' cholesterol because it tends to stick to the walls of our arteries. This can lead to arteriosclerosis cardiovascular disease. The build up on the walls of blood vessels and arteries is also known as plaque.

As the plaque thickens over time, blood flow is reduced and blood pressure is increased, which can lead to a number of potential problems including heart disease. If bits of plaque come away from the walls and begin to flow through the blood vessels they can clot other sections of the narrowed artery. This can cause the onset of a stroke or a heart attack. High cholesterol levels are therefore very significant and need to be taken seriously.

You can lower your levels by eating a balanced, natural diet devoid of processed, trans-fatty, and sugary foods and drinks, and engaging in daily aerobic exercise that is strenuous but not too strenuous. Including fatty fish such as salmon or tuna or omega-3 fatty acid supplements can also help to lower levels. It is also very important to drink an adequate amount of pure water in order to unclog your arteries. Avoid margarine and use only small amounts of butter or no butter at all. If you are purchasing a sandwich and they ask if you want butter, it is important to clarify if they are talking about real butter or margarine. A lot of people do not differentiate between them and use the words interchangeably. Poly-unsaturated vegetable oils should not be used for cooking since they become trans-fats under high heat. Virgin olive oil is the safest choice. Simply by making these simple changes can improve your levels and reduce serious health risks.

Cigarette smoking also raises cholesterol levels in the blood. If you smoke, you will gain limited benefit from exercise and dietary change until you quit smoking. Once you stop smoking, your cholesterol levels will begin to drop, even more so if you eat healthy and exercise daily.

Minimizing negative stress where possible and managing it when necessary are also important aspects of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. High stress levels have been found to increase 'bad' cholesterol levels whereas being in a calm and positive state of mind can lower them.

High LDL cholesterol does not need to become a health crisis. It is reversible if you are willing to take the steps mentioned here. Keeping those levels down is important for cardiovascular health. By eating right, exercising regularly, minimizing stress and not smoking you will be able to achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

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