September is National Cholesterol Education month. Did you know one out of every three adults has high cholesterol, and the number of people who should be on cholesterol lowering medicine is on the rise. So, what exactly is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that is both produced within your body and absorbed from foods you eat. Cholesterol is necessary for your body, in order for cells to reproduce, however an elevated cholesterol level can put you at risk for other health issues, including heart disease.
High Cholesterol can be caused by lifestyle factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of exercise or an underlying condition, or you can be at risk for High Cholesterol, if it’s in your family history. High cholesterol has no symptoms, so it’s imperative that you keep up with your annual preventive exams to get your blood worked checked.
High Cholesterol isn’t always avoidable, but what can you do to prevent high cholesterol?
- Eat a low-salt diet
- Limit the amount of animal fats
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Quit Smoking
- Exercise
- Manage Stress
- Drink Alcohol, in moderation