Even considering there is a great deal of focus nowadays on cholesterol being bad and how it impacts your heart, the truth is something different. Cholesterol is a vital part of your body functions. Where a lot of people get confused is the existence of good and bad types of cholesterol. The liver produces cholesterol, and normally the body does not need any help creating it.

Cholesterol is also made by the foods we consume, mostly meat and dairy products, and also shellfish. Plant based foods are for the most part, free of cholesterol. The problem with health and fitness occurs when excess cholesterol accumulates within the body and causes the arteries to narrow. There are steps that can be taken to lower bad cholesterol intake and increase the good kind. Yes, there is really good cholesterol.

The two types are LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein is the type regarded as  ‘bad’ cholesterol. High blood cholesterol is relatively symptom free, so most are not aware of the dangers lurking within their bodies. In high levels, cholesterol builds up in arteries making you prone to heart disease, as well as other ailments, affecting health and fitness. High-density lipoprotein is the ‘good’ cholesterol. It takes cholesterol to the liver. The liver then processes the cholesterol, removing it.

Factors that increase LDL are frequently the same things that are advertised as bad for health in general. This includes things like eating foods containing saturated fats,smoking, inactivity, and weight gain. The reason smoking is dangerous is that it actually lowers the good cholesterol or HDL. Those that are not smokers, but are victims of   secondhand smoke also develop lowered HDL. LDL levels are caused to spike by foods high in fat, especially saturated and trans fats. Inactivity contributes to high blood cholesterol by not just increasing the bad cholesterol, but also reducing the levels of good cholesterol. This is all detrimental to health and fitness.

Although health and fitness can be improved by raising HDL and lowering LDL cholesterol levels. Although it is a possibility to use medication, mostly you will be able to follow a simple plan to lower all but the most stubborn cholesterol levels. Some of these steps are such common sense things like consuming the right foods, taking the time to exercise, and stopping smoking. Oatmeal has been shown in studies to affect high cholesterol. This acts as a broom, sweeping cholesterol away. Foods high in omega fatty acids, such as flax seed, walnuts, and olive oil are all known to enhance good cholesterol levels. Nuts and oil are high in fat, so moderation is key. Exercise raises endorphins, but it also raises HDL levels, while minimizing LDL levels and improving heart health. There are plenty of ways to ruin the body, but small changes can bring about great health.

Think about the effects of cholesterol levels on your health and fitness and the best diet program to help.

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