Cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance created in our body that is absolutely necessary, but can be extremely harmful in excess.  Too much cholesterol can lead to plaque-filled arteries, which can impede blood flow to your brain, kidneys, genitals and heart.  Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D and bile acids that help digest fat.  It can also play a major role in stabilizing cell membranes.  If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess cholesterol – mainly derived from fatty meats and saturated fats - may contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, mental impairment, impotence, cancer, or stroke.

There are two kinds of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is considered your  bad cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is considered your good cholesterol.  If your total cholesterol is:

Consuming too much saturated fat and overeating are the two most significant factors in increasing cholesterol levels.  If you are looking for traditional cholesterol medical information, click on one of these links:

 If you are looking for natural, natural cholesterol-reducing, click below:

• Eat good foods and fats and enjoy a healthy, low-cholesterol diet
• Enjoy juice or tea daily
• Exercise
• Aim for a healthy body weight
• Add vitamins, herbs, and supplements to your diet
• Drink alcohol in moderation

And avoid:

• Tobacco products of any kind
• Bad foods and fats
• Lack of exercise
• Excessive eating – no more than 2,000 calories per day (depending on height, weight and activity level, this number may vary)

Check out melsTake on medications.  What about your cholesterol and soy, coffee and poultry?