GOOD CHOLESTEROL, BAD CHOLESTEROL

Since health has become a market product, we begun to see helps to reduce cholesterol. Good cholesterol, bad cholesterol... Cholesterol is the factor that has been proved more insistently as a cause of cardiovascular disease, even more than other classic such as hypertension, obesity, tobacco use and physical inactivity (which also are risk factors). Cholesterol accumulates in the arteries and it gradually hinders the circulation of blood (ischemia). Over time, if the process continues, the heart does not get enough blood and appears angina (transient ischemia, causing pain) and later, there could be a myocardial infarction (death of heart's cells).

But when we mention good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, what are we talking about? The good cholesterol is known by the acronym HDL (high density lipoprotein), while bad cholesterol is known by the acronym LDL (low density lipoprotein). Both are present in our body due to the diet, and whether it may be helpful or harmful is the proportion of each.
Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dl). A person who has the LDL below 180 mg/dl is considered healthy; 180 to 200 mg/dl is a small margin risk. If it reaches 240 mg/dl it is advised to take steps to reduce LDL quickly. And when it reaches 260 mg/dl is considered warningly risky.

Besides using supplements or pharmaceutical products to reduce cholesterol, the daily diet can also contribute. There are a number of measures that reduce the amount of bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol:

• When eating meat it is better to eat chicken or turkey rather than pork or beef. The meat of the last two animals has saturated fats. These fats are recognized because after cooking the meat these fats rise and they become solid. This cholesterol is bad.
• Reduction of cakes, industrial pastries and chips, cream or butter is also helpful.
• Eating nuts and fiber foods (cereals, fruit and vegetables) has two advantages: first, "drag" bad cholesterol to remove it; secondly, as we are satiating hunger, we avoid eating other things that could not be so healthy.
• Exercising also replaces the bad cholesterol for good cholesterol. Walking 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, at a normal step may be enough if you do not want or you can not make a more intense activity. The body and the mood will appreciate it.

Have a healthy day!