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According to U.S. government statistics, 65 million Americans have high cholesterol. What a terribly high number. The good news is that people can get their bad cholesterol under control and become healthier. Education is the way to do it. Here at Living Fit, Healthy and Happy, as part of  National Cholesterol Awareness Month, you can learn valuable tips that will help you to lower your cholesterol.

Imporant Facts About Cholesterol

Before we get started, it's important to know a few facts about cholesterol. Cholesterol isn't all bad, humans rely on this waxy fat compound to help keep us alive. How you may ask? Here's a short list of some of the normal day to day functions that cholesterol is involved in.

1. Key component of steroid hormones
2. Cellular membrane integrity
3. Intercellular communication
4. Facilitates the absorption of fat soluble vitamins

Yes, life just wouldn't be the same without cholesterol. But too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Too much cholesterol in our bloodstream increases cardiovascular disease risk.

The human body makes its own cholesterol, it is produced in the liver and pancreas. We also make lipoproteins which are biomolecules formed from the bond between proteins and fats. Some lipoproteins are good but others are bad.

One of the good ones is commonly known as high density lipoprotein (HDL or the "good cholesterol"), its job is to bind circulating cholesterol and transport it out of the body. One of the bad ones is low density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad cholesterol"); this molecule builds up the blood vessels causing the condition known as atherosclerosis. Think of it this way: HDL removes excess cholesterol (good for your heart), excess LDL causes heart disease (bad for your heart).

To be heart healthy, we must lower our cholesterol which brings us to the next section.

How To Lower Cholesterol

If you are overweight or obese, you're at particular risk for heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Fortunately there are many ways to reduce your body fat and to lower cholesterol naturally which include:

1. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Plant-based foods are rich in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants and contain very little fat. 
2. Eating fresh fish or taking fish supplements. Fish is a rich source of omega - 3 fatty acids. This special molecule has been shown to improve arterial blood flow.
3. Partipating in cardiovascular exercise. Aerobics helps the body to burn fat and lower your heart disease risk (read my article "Healthy Lifestyle May Prevent Cancer Deaths: WHO").

Health experts also suggest that people take a blood test to learn about their cholesterol level and to regularly talk with their doctor if prescribed cholesterol lowering medications.

Remember, health officials suggest that Americans participate in regular exercise, reduce body fat and eat healthy foods to lower cholesterol. Following such advice will have a positive impact on our health.

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Article Sources

National Institutes of Health http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/cholmonth/

CDC - DHDSP - High Cholesterol Prevention: What You Can Do  http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/what_you_can_do.htm

Mita, T. et al. Eicosapentaenoic acid reduces the progression of carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes. Atherosclerosis volume 191 (1):161-167.

"How To Lower Your Cholesterol" copyright 2011 Living Fit, Healthy and Happy. All Rights Reserved.

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