Longeny

LIPID PROFILE

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs for good health, but in the right amounts. High levels of cholesterol can lead to a condition called high blood cholesterol which poses a high risk for heart disease.

What is the role of cholesterol in your health and longevity?

The body uses cholesterol as the starting point to make many essential compounds like estrogen, testosterone, bile acids, vitamin D, etc. It helps to build your cells, and your body metabolism to work efficiently and keeps you healthy. Maintaining optimum cholesterol levels is important for your body to function well. High levels of certain types of cholesterol like LDL cholesterol can lead to clogging of the blood vessels which can eventually lead to the development of coronary heart disease.

Who should get tested for cholesterol?

Everyone should have their first screening test for cholesterol by age 35 for men, and age 45 for women. Some guidelines recommend starting at age 20 or even earlier depending on a person's overall health.

What are the types of cholesterol tests? And which one is best for me?

There are different types of cholesterol such as total cholesterol, Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), Triglycerides (another type of fat in your blood), and Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL cholesterol).

High cholesterol doesn't have symptoms, hence most people do not know when their blood cholesterol evels are high. Therefore, the only way to know whether you have high cholesterol is to get your cholesterol checked regularly. You can do a simple blood test, called a “lipid profile test” to measure your cholesterol levels.

How should I prepare for the test?

Getting your cholesterol levels tested is an important part of keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy. In general, fasting before your test isn’t required. But your doctor may recommend fasting if you’re already taking a cholesterol medication.

Cholesterol test results. What do they mean?

A complete cholesterol test tells you the amount of “good” and “bad” cholesterol along with the level of triglycerides present in your blood.

How do i maintain optimum cholesterol levels?

Maintaining optimum cholesterol levels is vital for heart health. Consume heart-healthy foods including, grains, millet, brown rice, lean meat, and protein. Increase fiber intake from foods like oats, beans, and lentils. Consume antioxidant-rich foods such as nuts and green leafy vegetables, as they improve your heart health. Regular Physical activity can help raise your good cholesterol levels. Quit smoking, as it damages blood vessels in your heart and limits alcohol intake.

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