| Q: | What is cholesterol? |
| A: | Cholesterol is a fatty substance present in most meaty foods and some vegetables. In normal amounts, cholesterol is an important building block of bile acids, the compounds that aid digestion, as well as steroid hormones. In the blood, cholesterol is found in particles containing both lipids (fats) and proteins, hence they are referred to as lipoproteins. High cholesterol levels, however, are associated with health problems, including increased risk of heart disease and stroke. |
| Q: | What is LDL? |
| A: | Often called "bad cholesterol," LDL is the main source of cholesterol build-up and blockage in the arteries. |
| Q: | What is HDL? |
| A: | Often called "good cholesterol," HDL helps keep cholesterol from building up in the arteries. |
| Q: | What are the warning signs of high cholesterol? |
| A: | This is what makes high blood cholesterol levels so frightening; there are no symptoms! Many people are unaware that their cholesterol levels are too high. Only by having a blood lipid test will you know if your cholesterol is within a healthy range. |
| Q: | What is a healthy cholesterol level? |
| A: | A total cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dL is best with LDL levels less than 100 mg/dL. High cholesterol would be 240 mg/dl and above total cholesterol with LDL levels above 130 mg/dL. |
| Q: | What can I do to lower my cholesterol? |
| A: | Doctors recommend regular exercise, keeping weight at a healthy level and a low saturated fat and low-cholesterol diet. And now there’s another powerful yet simple daily step you can add to your routine — TeaFlavin®. Recent studies show that theaflavins, a group of compounds found in tea and the main ingredient in TeaFlavin, reduced LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in individuals by 16% in just 12 weeks. So TeaFlavin, the patented theaflavin super extract, is a natural, safe and caffeine-free path to maintaining optimal cholesterol health. |
| Q: | Should I worry about my children’s cholesterol levels? |
| A: | Yes, it is never too early to keep an eye on your child’s cholesterol level. A new study has uncovered that high cholesterol in childhood has a direct effect of cholesterol levels in adulthood. Fast food and children’s snacks high in saturated fat often cause initial high cholesterol and these eating habits are continued as the child matures. Although heredity is a common cause of high cholesterol at a young age, it can be avoided with proper nutrition and exercise. |
| Q: | Does gender affect my cholesterol level? |
| A: | One of out of every two men and every three women will develop heart disease in the course of their lives. However, women are less likely than men to seek or receive treatment for high cholesterol. |
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