WHAT IS IT?

Treating Cholesterol:

The first step is You. Make heart healthy food choices, lose weight, and begin an exercise program.

The second step is adding medication to your diet and exercise program.

Types of Cholesterol:
Fat - There are several types of fats in your diet. Each type of fat has a different effect on your blood cholesterol and your risk for heart disease. Too much total fat, no matter what the type, will increase your risk for heart disease. Your total fat intake should be less than 30% of your total calories each day.

Cholesterol - is influenced by the kinds and amounts of fat you eat. High amounts of saturated fat will increase your cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is found in animal products: red meat, high fat dairy products, egg yolks,organ meats, and shell fish. Your total cholesterol intake should be less than 300mg per day.

Saturated Fat - is a type of fat that is solid at room temperature. Too much saturated fat in your diet increases blood cholesterol and your risk for heart disease. Dietary sources include animal fats, high fat dairy products, solid shortening, butter, coconut oil, palm oil, and palm kernel oil.

Polyunsaturated Fat - is a type of fat that is liquid at room temperature. Too much polyunsaturated fat in your diet increases your blood cholesterol and your risk for heart disease. Dietary sources include corn oil, safflower oil, soybean, and sunflower oils.

Monounsaturated Fat - is a type of fat that is liquid at room temperature. In small amounts, monounsaturated fats can help lower LDL and help raise HDL cholesterol. Dietary sources include olive, canola, and peanut oils.

HDL Cholesterol - is the "healthy" or "good" cholesterol that protects arteries against the formation of fatty deposits by removing "bad" cholesterol from the blood. You want a high HDL.

LDL Cholesterol - is the "lethal" or "bad" cholesterol that leads to formation of fatty deposits in your arteries. Over time this build-up narrows the artery causing "atherosclerosis". You want a low LDL.

Triglyceride - is the most common type of fat found in fatty tissue. Eating concentrated sweets (sugars), drinking alcohol, or being overweight will raise your triglyceride level. High levels of triglycerides can increase your risk for heart disease, especially for women.