Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America.  The illness is often brought on by high (LDL) cholesterol.  Precautions can be taken to avoid this deadly disease.  A healthy diet is a great way  to start reducing your risk of cholesterol.  Decreasing saturated fats from your diet is a good, easy and effective method.  Keep in mind that cardiovascular illnesses can be hereditary. A simple blood test will determine the risk and levels of LDL's intensity, to decide if statin drugs is neeed.  Medication by itself will not reduce your risk of high cholesterol.

    There are two forms of cholesterol that you should be aware of:  Low Density Lipoprotein, or LDL (bad) cholesterol, and High Density Lipoprotein, or HDL (good) cholesterol.  To avoid high levels of LDL always trim all visible fats from meat, especially red meat.  If you are a smoker, you should consider discontinuing.  Be cautious of refined foods which has the ingredients "syrups" such as high fructose corn syrup. Limit intakes of caffeine, found in coffee, certain teas, and soft drinks.  Avoid stressful situations, try meditation or other relaxation techniques and do a little exercise.

    Cholesterol keep our bodies functioning mormal.  Every cell in our bodies is surrounded by cholesterol, Its job is to insulate nerve fibers.  Insulation signals, needs to travel properly, this is extremely important.  Cholesterol also produces hormones which carry signals around the body.  Too much cholesterol cause heart disease.  Cholesterol narrows or hardened the artery from build up of plaque.  Weight loss is beneficial to lowering LDL( bad) cholesterol, it reduces the triglycerides and raise the (HDL) the good cholesterol.

    To begun lowering your risk of high cholesterol, prepare meals from healthy recipes.  High fiber foods and foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids are the best. Some other effective foods are: avocado, olive oil, fish such as salmon, nuts, berries, green vegetables and brightly colored ones.  The cookbook Fabulous Foods: Fun Flavors, has a wide variety of healthy recipes. Start reducing your risk of high cholesterol now.  Fabulous Foods: Fun Flavors is available at,  http://Barnes&Noble.com    http://Amazon.com   http://PublishAmerica.com and other online. bookstores.