Cholesterol isn't necessarily bad. It is a waxy substance that your body produces naturally and doesn't dissolve in blood, so special transporters called lipoproteins carry the cholesterol through the blood to all parts of the body. There are two different types of cholesterol that science has tested and confirmed, there is "good" (High-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol which is produced in your body, and the "bad" (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol which also comes from your body, but the majority comes from food. The HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol keeps the LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) from getting lodged into the artery walls. High cholesterol occurs when the two are not balanced and there is an exceeded about of LDL in your system. If you have a healthy level of HDL in your system, it can also protect against heart attack and stroke. When your HDL levels are too low (40mg/dL for men and less than 50mg/dL for women) it has been shown that it increases the risk of heart disease.

When getting your cholesterol checked four things will come up; your HDL levels, LDL levels, your overall cholesterol level, and triglycerides levels. Triglycerides are a type of fat that the body makes to provide energy. High levels of triglycerides are closely associated with high total cholesterol levels. To show your levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, the report uses the symbol mg/dL, which tells us the number of milligrams of cholesterol or triglycerides in 1 deciliter of your blood. So when too much LDL is in your blood, it will begin to clog arteries and majorly increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. LDL is naturally produced in your body also, but with certain genes you inherit from your family, your body produces way more than it needs, and on top of the unhealthy diet and sugary snacks it certainly doesn't help. Anything with saturated fat, trans fat, or dietary cholesterol will increase your LDL levels.

Studies have shown to increase your HDL levels, regular physical activity is a must! Easy as 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic workout a week. Also, watching your diet will be a huge factor in lowering your LDL levels, reducing trans fats out of your diet and eating balanced, nutritious meals will not only lower your LDL, but increase your HDL! Smoking will also cause your HDL levels to decrease each time you take a puff, so think twice about what you put into your body.

So make a change in your life, work out a little more often, eat more organic raw foods, and even taking supplements once you've reached your cholesterol free goals to help get your body back to its natural healthy self.