Do You Know The Myths About Cholesterol?
There are lots of information available to us today about health problems and this includes cholesterol. Unfortunately, this subject can be confusing and there may be lots of conflicting information out there. The following will help to clarify some of the myths that are out there regarding cholesterol and give you some things you can do today to get your cholesterol reading down.
Test your knowledge with the following TRUE/FALSE questions!
True or False: The elderly are the only ones with high cholesterol.
This is false. You can be in your 20’s or even 30’s and have high cholesterol reading. It is recommended that you have your cholesterol level checked on a regular basis. This is especially the case if you have a family history of heart disease or if you live a sedentary lifestyle with poor eating habits. Overall, it is recommended that you have your cholesterol tested at least once in every five years in order to prevent health problems down the track. It is best to know sooner rather than later.
True or False: I do not have a problem with cholesterol because I am rarely sick and I exercise on a regular basis.
Just because you feel healthy and even if you exercise regularly, this doesn’t guarantee that your cholesterol level is OK. Often people don’t know that they have a cholesterol problem until the first warning signs being angina or a heart attack. Some other risk factors to high cholesterol are your diet, your weight, age, gender and family history.
True or False: If you take vitamin C and vitamin E which are, known as anti-oxidants, you will not have any problems with cholesterol.
False! There are no guarantees! There are several factors that affect the levels of Cholesterol. Vitamins may help but there are other determining factors as well to consider. The best thing you can do in reducing your cholesterol level is to start eating cholesterol lowering foods and make exercise a part of your normal routine.
True or False: Drinking a glass of red wine on a daily basis with dinner makes you immune to heart disease.
Studies have shown that moderate amounts of red wine will increase HDL or good cholesterol. However, alcohol is high in calories and it may cause an increase in triglycerides, which will then put undue pressure on your liver and this may increase blood pressure.
True or False: Look for health conscious products that have low cholesterol labels.
False. There are some products that are low in cholesterol however; they may be high in saturated fats. It is always important that you read the label to find out exactly what is contained in the foods that you are putting in your body.
True or False: If you are overweight you are destined to have high cholesterol.
This is not necessarily the case, however, being overweight is contributing factor to the develop of high cholesterol.
Often people have problems with high cholesterol and not even know it. Often they find out when they develop a serious condition such as angina or suffer from a heart attack at a young age. Be proactive, find out what your cholesterol level if and make a few small changes to your eating and exercise plan today.