HealthyPIG Magazine

Cholesterol is a type of fat used by the body. It is produced by the body and also comes from animal foods. The important numbers to know are total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein or good cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol, and triglycerides.

With all the negative publicity about cholesterol, people are often surprised to find that it is actually necessary for our survival.

It is also surprising that our body naturally produces cholesterol. But cholesterol is not all good, and not all bad-this is a complex topic that deserves more understanding.

Good heart health is like a building block: it is cumulative. This is especially true when it comes to high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver. It is also found in certain foods. Your body needs some cholesterol to function properly. However, too much bad cholesterol-low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-puts you at risk of heart attack or stroke. According to a trusted source from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease.