Cholesterol

Do you think your cholesterol levels are where they should be? If so, how did you come to that conclusion? Many people might be surprised to learn that since there are no symptoms associated with having high cholesterol, the only way to discover your cholesterol level is by taking a blood test. In Canada, there are an estimated 12 million people with levels of cholesterol that are considered high. If there are no noticeable symptoms, yet there are so many people suffering from high cholesterol, you might be asking yourself, “What is cholesterol?” Cholesterol is produced in the liver and is a waxy, fat-like substance that is required for the proper function of cell membranes. It’s also an important component in the production of vitamins, hormones and bile acids.

If you are overweight and you eat a lot of fatty foods, you may have high cholesterol levels. Cholesterol elevation is related to the consumption of foods such as meat and dairy products, which contain significant amounts of saturated fat. There are foods that you can eat that will elevate your good cholesterol, or HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol. Foods such as legumes, nuts, polyunsaturated fats and fish can help you increase your HDL cholesterol.

A high cholesterol level – often the result of a diet high in saturated fat – can lead to a blockage of your arteries, which in turn can result in more serious complications such as a heart attack or stroke. There are many diets for cholesterol however some people who have difficultly following a strict diet or controlling the amount of food they eat are turning to Slimband for a longer-term solution to controlling their weight and reducing weight related conditions such as high cholesterol.