Agencies

Cholesterol is a waxy substance made of fats and other compounds that is found in your blood. It attaches to proteins in the blood to form lipoproteins.

While there are several types of cholesterol, the three most important are high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides. In a cholesterol blood test, each is measured separately, and then added together to come up with your total cholesterol. Not all cholesterol is bad; in fact, the body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells. HDL, also known as �the good cholesterol,� has been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

But too much total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides � known medically as your lipid profile � can cause fatty deposits to build up in your blood vessels. If these deposits grow too big, they can block blood flow. In addition, those deposits can sometime break and form a blood clot, which can causes a heart attack or stroke.

One of the best ways to control cholesterol, especially moderately high levels, is through exercise. There are many studies that show increased physical activity and exercise improve an individual�s lipid profile by increasing HDL and lowering total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides.

According to the reports, cholesterol comes from two sources: your liver and animal-based foods. The liver, in fact, makes all the cholesterol you need. Some people generate too much of their own cholesterol, and high cholesterol can be genetically inherited.

But cholesterol also comes from animal-based foods, such as meat, poultry and full-fat dairy products. This is known as dietary cholesterol. And a poor diet and lack of exercise are very often the cause of high cholesterol. Thus, eating a healthy diet that is low in cholesterol and animal fat is one key in controlling it. (Being overweight and smoking also increase cholesterol, and both should be controlled as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.)