It is important to understand cholesterol properly. This is because, most of us believe that cholesterol is not good for health and it only has the villainous role to play. But this is not true. The reality is that some cholesterol is required for smooth functioning of the body. Cholesterol is harmful only when it crosses the limits. Let us understand a few facts about cholesterol which will help us to have the clear picture.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a wax like substance which is prepared in the liver and is circulated in the blood. When it is there in the required quantities, it works as a coating for arteries and also helps in many important functions of the body like digestion, balancing hormone levels, production o vitamin D and maintaining health of the bones. But when it is in excess, then the fatty substances will be deposited in the arteries creating clogs. This can be a danger to the heart because it will have to starve for blood.

How to find out the cholesterol levels in the body?

In order to find out that whether you are a high cholesterol patient or not, a simple blood test will be required which will measure total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides in the blood.

LDL: Bad cholesterol

HDL: Good cholesterol

How to achieve right levels?

If you are a cholesterol patient then lifestyle modification along with right diet and drugs can be helpful in achieving the right levels. Increasing HDL is vital to lower LDL.