What
You Need To Know
Cholesterol
Your
Guide To Understanding Cholosteral
Despite what
you may think, cholesterol itself is not a bad thing. In
fact, your body actually needs some cholesterol to work
properly. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like material that
is produced by our livers. It is a normal part of every
cell in our bodies. Without it, our bodies could not make
hormones or nerve cells. It becomes a problem when there
is too much cholesterol in our bodies, because the extra
gets deposited on the inside walls of our arteries, the
vessels that carry blood, oxygen and nutrients to all
parts of our bodies. When enough cholesterol builds up
inside the arteries, it keeps our blood from flowing
properly. It is this clogging that causes all the
problems you have heard about.
Where
Does Cholesterol Come From?
As we
mentioned above, our livers make cholesterol. In fact,
they make all of the cholesterol our bodies need to
function properly. Unfortunately, we also get cholesterol
from many of the foods we eat. This is called dietary
cholesterol and it is found in animal products such as
meat, fish and dairy products.
Some people are more
likely to have high blood cholesterol levels than others.
This is the result of a number of different factors,
including:
- Genetic make-up: Some
people have inherited a tendency to develop high blood
cholesterol levels.
- Lifestyle choices: Smoking, eating a diet high in fat
and cholesterol and being inactive all contribute to high
blood cholesterol levels.
-
The only way to know if your blood cholesterol level is
healthy is to have a simple blood test.
Treating
High Cholesterol
The
first step you can take to lower high cholesterol
levels is to make some lifestyle changes. - Reduce the amount of
cholesterol in your diet to no more than 300 mg a
day (amount found in a single egg).
- Increase the amount of soluble fibre you eat
which is found in fruits, vegetables, oat bran
and products made with oat bran.
- Daily exercise also helps reduce cholesterol,
but it is important to discuss any new exercise
program with your doctor before you begin.
If you smoke,
quit. Tobacco raises total cholesterol and
reduces the level of HDL cholesterol (the good
kind) - a deadly combination.
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Sometimes
your best efforts at lifestyle changes won't be enough to
bring your blood cholesterol down to a healthy level. In
this case, your doctor will probably prescribe a drug to
help reduce your cholesterol level. It is important to
remember that these drugs are not magic pills; you will
still have to make healthy lifestyle changes.
 The information in this publication is presented as an educational
service. It is not intended as a substitute for medical
advice from your physician.
Your PharmAssist(tm)
pharmacist is available to discuss any questions or
concerns you may have. To locate the PharmAssist(tm)
pharmacist nearest you, please call 1-877-378-4100 or
e-mail: pharmacist@pharmassist.ca
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