Cholesterol Lowering Supplements
There are many cholesterol lowering supplements on the market today. We have all heard that high levels of cholesterol are highly undesirable and detrimental to our cardio-vascular system.
High cholesterol levels, or more correctly, higher concentrations of LDL (ie. low density lipoprotein - which we commonly refer to as "bad cholesterol") and lower concentrations of functional HDL (ie. high density lipoprotein - commonly referred to as "good cholesterol) are strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases because these promote the development of atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries). The disease process leads to myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke and peripheral vascular disease. High concentrations of functional HDL remove cholesterol from cells and offer protection. This is why HDL is dubbed as the "good cholesterol". The ratio of HDL to LDL can be altered by proper food choices, exercise and supplements.
Furthermore, it is a good idea to test cholesterol levels every 5 years (at the very least) for people that are aged 20 and over. The typical way of doing this is for a doctor to take a blood sample (after you have fasted for at least 12 hours). However, these days its just as easy to buy a home cholesterol-monitoring test kit that is just as reliable and accurate as the test performed at your doctor's office. Once you determine your cholesterol profile you will see what category you fall into according to the table bellow which is the American Heart Association's guideline.
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