Weight Loss Tips - Understanding High Blood Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver and present in some foods. In normal amounts, it is essential for many body processes, including producing hormones.

Having "high cholesterol" is not always caused by eating foods high in cholesterol, but there is no question that a diet full of fatty foods is a contributing factor. Genetics play a role, which is why "cholesterol problems" often run in families. Lack of exercise, smoking, and being overweight must take a lot of the blame, however. there is also a connection between high cholesterol levels and diabetes.

There are two important types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). To keep it simple, HDL is "good" cholesterol, because it protects against atherosclerosis. LDL is "bad" cholesterol, because it leaves deposits on the artery walls. So it's a good thing to have high HDL and low LDL.

Triglyceride is another fatty substance found in the blood as well as in some foods. Like LDL, high triglyceride levels are considered a bad thing. When the level of LDL and triglyceride in the blood is too high, the excess tends to be deposited on the inner walls of blood vessels. This narrows them, eventually resulting in atherosclerosis.

Cholesterol levels are measured by taking a sample of your blood, sometimes after you have not eaten for 12 hours or more. The results are usually reported as the total cholesterol level. Sometimes the levels of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides are also given separately, and a ratio of HDL to LDL is calculated.

Among the potentially life-threatening risks associated with high blood cholesterol are high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and stroke.

Being overweight and having high cholesterol levels is another one of those vicious circles. According to the experts, every 10 per cent increase in weight increases cholesterol by 12 points. The more fat you consume, the more weight you gain; the more overweight you are, the higher your cholesterol.

Regular exercise is the way to break out of the circle. Exercise burns calories, helping you to use the food you eat as energy rather than store it as fat. It also lowers cholesterol levels.

Following a healthy weight loss diet is the other important aspect of improving your cholesterol count. But be careful which weight loss tips or diet you decide to follow - there's a lot of incorrect, wrong and sometimes plain unhealthy information out there. Weight loss is big business, especially around holiday periods, so don't be fooled by the latest weight loss supplements or products that claim to help you lose weight easily. Chances are they don't work, and could affect your health. Stick with healthy eating and plenty of exercise and you'll do very well.