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The Good, the Bad and the Difference
The Facts About Cholesterol
By Carma Haley
"Heart disease and stroke are common in my family," says Yvette De Luca from Phoenix, Ariz. "I have watched fat and cholesterol since I was 18. My grandfather died of a heart attack when my father was a teen and my grandmother lived with angina until about five years ago. We no longer use any oil other than olive oil and we've cut down on whole milk and dairy products. I'm not only improving my health, but also cutting my children's chances of dying of stroke or heart disease early because if I can help my kids learn healthful eating now they won't have trouble learning it when they are adults. They are learning how to avoid the number one killer in my family. They may have genetics working against them, but they can overcome that with proper eating."
Keeping tabs on cholesterol levels is very important, especially if a family history is present. Knowing what to look for and how to interpret all the numbers and levels will also allow you to know exactly where you stand on your own health. Eat smart, exercise and educate yourself along the way to better health.
"I have my cholesterol checked every six months," Brooks says. "So far I've gotten it down by 15 points. It was never too high, but this just shows that starting to eat healthy at a young age – instead of waiting until you get older and start having problems – can benefit everyone."
"Even if you pass your cholesterol test with flying colors, don't throw caution to the wind," Vance says. "Cholesterol levels often increase with age and eating healthy and exercising regularly can only be of benefit to everyone."