Dietary cholesterol comes mainly from animal products, but saturated and trans fats have the biggest effect on LDL. Limit red and processed meats, full-fat dairy, butter and trans fats; choose unsaturated oils, lean proteins, and plant foods instead.
High cholesterol raises the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. Get screened, lower LDL with lifestyle changes, and follow your clinician's plan - medications like statins are used when risk remains high.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the "good" cholesterol carrier that helps remove excess cholesterol from arteries and deliver it to the liver. Lifestyle changes - exercise, quitting smoking, and healthy fats - help improve HDL; overall heart risk depends on the full lipid profile.
Practical, updated guidance for lowering LDL cholesterol: emphasize plant foods and soluble fiber, eat fatty fish and nuts, replace saturated fats with unsaturated oils, avoid trans fats, and combine diet with regular exercise and medical monitoring.
High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. Get a baseline lipid panel in early adulthood, manage risk factors with lifestyle changes, and use medications like statins when needed to lower heart attack and stroke risk.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) helps remove cholesterol from arteries and is linked with lower cardiovascular risk. Learn how HDL differs from LDL, what affects HDL levels, and practical steps to protect heart health.
Animal foods contain dietary cholesterol, but saturated and trans fats have a larger impact on LDL. Lower your cholesterol by choosing plant-based foods, unsaturated fats, fish, and soluble fiber while limiting red/processed meat, full-fat dairy, and trans fats.
Cholesterol is essential, but too much LDL raises heart risk. Lower LDL by limiting saturated and trans fats, increasing soluble fiber, choosing unsaturated oils, and eating whole foods.
Cholesterol is essential but can raise heart disease risk when levels are high. Understand LDL, HDL and triglycerides, common total-cholesterol categories, major risk factors, and practical steps to lower risk.
Lowering LDL cholesterol works best by cutting saturated/trans fats, boosting soluble fiber, and choosing plant-forward foods. Dietary cholesterol (only in animal foods) matters less than the type of fat and overall pattern.
High cholesterol usually causes no symptoms - it is detected by blood tests. Complications include angina or heart attack, stroke (FAST), and peripheral artery disease; lifestyle changes and medications can lower risk.
Cholesterol and diet are closely linked: foods high in saturated and trans fats raise LDL, while fiber, unsaturated fats, and patterns like the Mediterranean diet lower risk. Combine diet, activity, and medical evaluation to manage cholesterol effectively.
Circulation problems rise with age and lifestyle. Learn common causes (atherosclerosis, varicose veins, Raynaud's), practical steps to protect circulation, and what evidence says about cayenne, ginkgo, garlic, ginger, and onion - plus safety cautions.
Adopt a sustainable, whole-foods approach to lower cholesterol: prioritize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and soluble fiber, limit saturated fats and sweets, and pair diet changes with about 150 minutes a week of activity.
Cholesterol is essential but higher LDL increases heart disease risk. Replace saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats, favor a Mediterranean-style pattern, and include marine omega-3s to lower triglycerides. Work with your clinician for personalized targets and, if needed, medication.
Cholesterol is essential for cells, hormones, and vitamin D. The liver makes most cholesterol; dietary saturated fats have the strongest effect on raising LDL. You can lower LDL with soluble fiber, unsaturated fats, plant sterols, weight loss, and exercise. Discuss individual targets with your clinician.
High cholesterol usually causes no obvious symptoms. Visible signs like xanthomas or corneal arcus appear mainly when levels are very high. Screening with a lipid panel and managing risk factors can help prevent heart attack and stroke.
Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides often rise in pregnancy and are usually temporary, but markedly abnormal levels can increase preeclampsia risk and may influence early fetal arterial changes. Discuss testing and management with your obstetrician and a lipid or maternal-fetal specialist.
Cholesterol balance matters for heart and stroke risk. Combine diet, exercise, weight control, smoking cessation, stress management and, when needed, medications - guided by regular testing - to lower your risk.
Dietary cholesterol comes from animal products; to lower blood cholesterol focus on reducing saturated and trans fats, choosing plant-forward foods, and adding fiber-rich whole grains, beans, nuts, and healthy oils.
A clear, up-to-date guide to what cholesterol does, how LDL and HDL affect cardiovascular risk, which foods and habits raise cholesterol, and practical steps to lower it.