Understanding cholesterol is one of the major keys to great health. So what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is found in the blood. This substance is very important because it keeps your cells healthy. Proteins bind to cholesterol and carry the cholesterol through your blood. The binding of cholesterol and protein is called lipoprotein. Take note that there are two types of lipoprotein. One is good for your health and the other puts your health at risk.

LDL cholesterol is considered bad and this is why. This type of cholesterol is bad because if the liver produces too much of it the arteries will build up fatty deposits which increase your chance of a heart attack due to lack of blood flow and oxygen. This fatty deposit is known as plaque. What exactly happens to your arteries? Your arteries become narrow and that is due to plaque build up. This plaque tends to build up in the coronary arteries which pump blood to your heart.

Good cholesterol is known as HDL cholesterol. This too is produced by the liver. HDL cholesterol is good because it helps remove excess plaque from your cells and artery walls. Where does the excess cholesterol go? HDL returns the excess cholesterol back to your liver which removes it from your body. Natural cures for high cholesterol may include:

1. Quit smoking
Not only is smoking cigarettes bad but it raises the bad LDL. Smoking helps bad waxy plaque consume your arteries and cut off oxygen from passing. Quitting smoking can significantly repair your health.

2. Avoiding trans fatty foods
Foods such as Fast-Food, frozen pizza, and cookies have trans fat. These fats are bad because they raise your LDL which promotes a heart attack. Healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil are amazing because it reduces the risk of a stroke due to its mono saturated fat properties.

3. Weight loss
Weight loss associated with diet and exercise is always a great option because it stimulates more blood flow and oxygen. And we know that blood carries oxygen to your heart.

4. Moderate alcohol consumption
Drinking can affect your LDL levels also. For example, beer contains carbohydrates and alcohol which will trigger triglyceride levels.

5. Limit triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of blood or fat or lipid found in your body that gives you energy. These form from your liver or from the types of foods you eat such as Fast-Food and cookies. The Triglyceride from food eventually reach your liver and become mingled with the triglyceride already produced in the liver. Both are packaged together in a protein also known as a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins travel throughout the bloodstream and deliver the triglyceride, which is energy. Every five years it’s important to get blood work done to reveal stable levels.