A short while back my Doctor found that I had extremely high cholesterol levels. I didn’t know a lot about cholesterol, but, once he explained how dangerous this condition was, I decided that I had better learn all I could. And that I did, getting my own problem under control in the process. If you’ll bear with me, I’ll try to show you why getting control of your cholesterol levels is so important to your overall well being. Perhaps you will also understand why limiting, or eliminating, foods high in cholesterol is vital.

Your body requires cholesterol for a variety of functions. It acts like a kind of mortar for your cells, holding them to together to make tissue. It’s also transformed into bile acid and used in your intestines for digestion.

You make most of the cholesterol your body requires in your liver. From there, it is carried by an enzyme called low density lipoproteins, or LDL, to your cells. Cells that have enough cholesterol when the LDL shows up will just say “No, Thanks” and send the enzyme on it’s way.

Problems arise when the LDL has cholesterol left over at the end of it’s trip. The LDL will leave the extra cholesterol on the inner wall of an artery. Eventually, these deposits will begin to choke off the blood flow and “starve” organs that are down the line. A majority of strokes and heart attacks are the result of blood flow being restricted.

This is a very basic discussion, of course. I only wish to get you thinking about your own cholesterol levels.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This posting is based upon information commonly available in the medical press and medical journals that deal with high cholesterol levels. Nothing herein is to be or taken as any sort of medical advice. For medical advice people have to visit with his or her doctor or other medical specialist.