Cholesterol is a waxy, oil-based substance that is naturally produced by the liver. While much has been made about how high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream might have some negative ramifications for your health, the truth is that some cholesterol is actually necessary. Cholesterol has several important functions in the body, including:

• Helping to build cell walls
• Helping to form the bile in the intestine that supports digestion
• Promoting the synthesis of certain hormones, including estrogen in women and testosterone in men
• Supporting the production of vitamin D 

When it comes to cholesterol, it’s the type of cholesterol that matters, as well as living a healthy lifestyle that promotes normal levels. Let’s take a deeper look.

There are two different types of cholesterol, and when you hear mention of “normal cholesterol levels”, that actually refers to the proper balance of good versus bad cholesterol. Because cholesterol is an oil-based substance, it does not dissolve in the bloodstream, which is water-based. Instead, cholesterol travels through the bloodstream in particles called lipoproteins. 

Lipoproteins are tiny packages of protein and fat that carry fat and cholesterol through the blood. Good and bad cholesterol are differentiated depending on the type of lipoprotein on which they’re carried. 

• Low-density Lipoproteins (LDL). LDL cholesterol is considered “bad”. It is carried from the liver to the rest of the body on low-density lipoproteins. Cells latch onto these particles to extract fat and cholesterol from them, which is necessary for some of the functions mentioned above. Nonetheless, when there is more LDL cholesterol in the blood than the body needs, these particles can combine with other substances in the blood to form hard deposits in the walls of the body’s arteries. These deposits are called plaque, and they can narrow the arteries, restricting blood flow and potentially leading to health complications. 
• High-density Lipoproteins (HDL). HDL cholesterol is generally considered “good”. High-density lipoproteins act as scavengers, removing cholesterol from artery walls, the bloodstream, and even from low-density lipoproteins. The scavenged cholesterol then travels with the high-density lipoproteins back to the liver, where it is disposed. 

Triglycerides are often mentioned when discussing cholesterol levels. Triglycerides are some of the most common fats in the body. They are made up of most of the fat that we eat, and store excess energy from our diets. A high level of triglycerides can lower HDL cholesterol levels, and, coupled with high levels of LDL cholesterol, can contribute to buildups in artery walls. This kind of buildup is sometimes linked, along with other factors, to a variety of health concerns related to the heart and circulatory system.

Cholesterol in foods is commonly found in animal products, such as eggs, dairy products, and red meat. Foods that are rich in saturated fats, which include red meat and full-fat dairy, or trans fats, which are found in many processed foods and baked goods, may have a negative impact on your cholesterol levels.

On the other hand, some foods are thought to help lower LDL. Foods that may help lower cholesterol include: 

• Whole grains
• Oats
• Beans
• Eggplant
• Nuts
• Certain fruits, like apples, grapes, strawberries, and citrus fruits
• Soy
• Fatty fish (salmon, tuna, or sardines)
• Garcinia cambogia, a fruit that is often used as an ingredient in coffees  

Diet alone may not be enough to help you maintain normal cholesterol levels; it is still important to talk to your doctor about what’s best for you. Nonetheless, a healthy, well-balanced diet that contains adequate amounts of proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, may help promote normal cholesterol. 

Managing your weight may also help you maintain normal cholesterol, as people who are overweight sometimes have higher LDL cholesterol levels. Sustainable weight management goes far beyond simply dieting; it is a lifestyle that incorporates eating right with exercising and a greater sense of consciousness with regard to what you’re putting into your body. If you’re searching for a better way to manage your weight, TLS® Weight Loss Solutions might be able to help.

TLS® is a revolutionary program that has transformed the way people think about weight management and healthy living. TLS® is more than just a weight loss system: it espouses an overall lifestyle change that targets multiple aspects of your life. Healthy eating, exercise, developing an optimistic mindset--these are just some of the ways TLS® seeks to help you achieve your health and nutrition goals. 

TLS® uses a four-pronged approach to transition to a healthier lifestyle:

• Low-Glycemic Eating to incorporate healthy foods into your diet that promote metabolism, help you lose fat, and help maintain normal blood sugar.
• Body Composition focuses on exercise that not only burns fat but promotes an optimal muscle-to-fat ratio.
• Education, because knowledge is power, and TLS® seeks to empower you with insight into the most important aspects of healthy living so you can make informed decisions about your new lifestyle.
• Science-Based Supplementation to support your other efforts to eat right, support your metabolism, and boost energy.* 

You can learn more about this program by checking out the TLS® Health Guide & Journal.*

 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.