How Cholesterol Levels Affect Health And Fitness
Even though there is a great deal of focus today on cholesterol being bad and how it affects your heart, the truth is actually different. Cholesterol is an important part of your body functions. Numerous people get confused by the existence of both good and bad types of cholesterol. The body does not normally need any assistance creating cholesterol, which is produced by the liver.
Outside cholesterol is produced by the foods we eat, mainly meat and dairy products, and also shellfish. Plant based foods are for the most part, free of cholesterol. The problem with health and fitness is caused when excess cholesterol builds up within the body and causes a narrowing of the arteries. You can do several\a number of things to reduce bad cholesterol intake and increase the good kind. Yes, there is actually good cholesterol.
There is LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein carries the stigma of 'bad' cholesterol. High blood cholesterol is relatively symptom free, so most are not aware of the dangers lurking within their bodies. Cholesterol builds up in arteries when present in high levels, making you susceptible to heart disease, as well as other ailments, affecting health and fitness. High-density lipoprotein is the 'good' cholesterol. It takes cholesterol to the liver. The cholesterol is then processed by the liver which removes it.
Factors that raise LDL are often the same things that are advertised as bad for health in general. This includes smoking, eating foods containing saturated fats, inactivity, and weight gain. Smoking is said to be dangerous because it actually lowers the good cholesterol or HDL. Those that are not smokers, but are affected by secondhand smoke also end up with lowered HDL. LDL levels are caused to spike by foods high in fat, especially saturated and trans fats. A contributary factor to producing high blood cholesterol is inactivity, by not only raising the bad cholesterol, but additionally reducing the levels of good cholesterol. This is all detrimental to health and fitness.
All that being said health and fitness can be improved by lowering LDL and raising HDL cholesterol levels. Medication can be used, but most can follow a simple plan to lower all but the most stubborn cholesterol levels. Some of these steps are such straight forward things like consuming the right foods, taking the time to exercise, and stopping smoking. Oatmeal has been shown in studies to affect high cholesterol. This acts as a broom, sweeping cholesterol away. Foods high in omega fatty acids, such as flax seed, walnuts, and olive oil are all known to enhance good cholesterol levels. Nuts and oil are high in fat, so moderation is key. Exercise raises HDL levels, even though it also raises endorphins, while minimizing LDL levels and improving heart health. Even though there are many ways to ruin the body, small changes can bring about great health.
Examine the effects of cholesterol levels on your health and fitness and the best diet program to help improve your health
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