Healthy Advice

What is cholesterol? A soft, waxy, fatty substance coming from your body and the food you eat. (It’s made in your liver.)

Why do we need cholesterol? Cholesterol helps produce cell membranes, hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that help us digest fat.

Cholesterol also helps in the formation of your memories and is vital for neurological function. (Your liver makes about three- quarters or more of your body's cholesterol.)

What is the problem with cholesterol? Too much cholesterol can be harmful to your body.

Note High cholesterol doesn’t have any symptoms, so you won’t know you have it until you get tested. Talk to your doctor about having your cholesterol tested.

What are the different types of cholesterol? Cholesterol and other fats cannot dissolve in your blood. Carriers, called lipoproteins, transport them to and from cells.

Types of lipoproteins High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Low-Density Lipoprotein, LDL carries “good” cholesterol. carries “bad” cholesterol. It moves cholesterol away from the arteries. This reduces your risk of heart disease. It can build up on the artery wall and harden to form plaque. This increases your risk of heart disease. As plaque builds, it narrows and may clog your arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.

Triglycerides Another type of fat, which comes from food, is also a factor of your total cholesterol level. When you eat, your body turns calories into energy. Calories that you do not use are changed into triglycerides and stored as fat. High triglycerides may cause damage to the lining of your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease.

Your cholesterol numbers Total cholesterol guidelines < 200 mg/dL >= 240 mg/dL mg/dL DesirableHighBorderline high

HDL cholesterol guidelines > 60 mg/dL < 40 mg/dL mg/dL OptimalIncreased riskAcceptable

LDL cholesterol guidelines < 100 mg/dL > 190 mg/dL mg/dL Optimal Very high High mg/dL Borderline high mg/dL Near/ above optimal

Triglycerides guidelines < 150 mg/dL > 500 mg/dL mg/dL NormalVery high Borderline high mg/dL High

Note If you have diabetes, heart disease, or you are at risk for a heart attack or stroke, your LDL goal my be different. Ask your doctor.

Medicine for Cholesterol Cholesterol medicine can help lower LDL cholesterol; raise HDL cholesterol; and help repair damaged arteries. It’s important to always take your medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes.

How You Can Lower Your Cholesterol Making changes in your lifestyle is the first step toward treating high cholesterol. Your doctor can help you make a plan. Stick to it.

You may need to: Lose weight Exercise Control your diabetes Lower high blood pressure Limit alcohol Quit smoking Add heart healthy foods to your diet

Lose Weight If you’re overweight, talk to your doctor about a weight-loss plan.

Exercise Regular exercise will help prevent high “bad” cholesterol and can raise “good” cholesterol. It can also help you get your weight under control, putting less strain on your heart.

Control Your Diabetes The American Diabetes Association recommends that you keep your A1C below 7%.

Limit Alcohol Moderate amounts of alcohol may help raise your HDL; but for your overall health, it’s best to limit your daily alcohol intake to one drink for women and two drinks for men.

Quit Smoking Make a plan with your doctor to quit, and stick to it.

Add Heart Healthy Foods to Your Diet Choose lean meats and poultry, and eat fish at least twice a week. Buy low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Add fiber to your diet.

For More Information, Contact American Academy of Family Physicians famdoces/home.html

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Sources Cited chive/2014/04/14/vitamin-d-cholesterol- levels.aspx chive/2014/04/14/vitamin-d-cholesterol- levels.aspx