In the past, if your doctor suspected that you may have a high cholesterol level, he would order a blood test that would give you the most accurate answer available at that time. Nowadays, there is the VAP Cholesterol test. VAP which stands for Vertical Auto Profile is one of the most reliable cholesterol testings available on the market today. It is so reliable, in fact, that it tells double the amount of people that they are at risk of having high cholesterol and thus, at risk of being diagnosed with many different forms of heart disease, such as congestive heart failure, heart attack and stroke, among others.

The vertical auto profile testing for cholesterol has the ability to detect at least 15 different components of cholesterol in your blood. Standard cholesterol screenings are only able to detect 4 different components, leaving you questioning whether or not the other 11 components are lurking in the background. This test is able to discover any lipid abnormalities in your blood caused by varying LDL levels. The VAP also has the ability to give early detection to Metabolic Syndrome which is a warning sign for diabetes. Taking this test will enable your physicians to start you on preventative treatments to try and help you lower your risk of heart disease or diabetes.

The cardio-diagnostic company, Atherotech developed this test after years of trial and error research. This company is the first of its kind to offer a more powerful reading of low density lipoprotein and its ability to measure what is unaffected by triglycerides. The company proudly displays the honor of being named in Forbes Magazine on the “Ten Ways to Live Longer” list. Another honor is from the Wall Street Journal, who called the Atherotech Company’s cholesterol testing “One of the Five Tests Worth Paying For”. Although this test is a bit more expensive than the standard cholesterol testing (due to the leg work of detecting an additional 11 blood cholesterol components), it is still fairly comparable to standard tests and is generally covered or reimbursable through most insurance companies.

Regular testing of your cholesterol levels should begin around the age of 20 years old. There are many reasons why a person would wish to have their cholesterol checked. Going a step further than a regular cholesterol blood test and requesting the VAP cholesterol testing will enable your doctor to test for any emerging risk factors that are not normally detected in regular cholesterol screenings. The Vertical auto profile test is fairly comparable, price wise, to standard cholesterol tests (just slightly more expensive) and is generally reimbursable through your insurance company. If you feel that you may be at risk for heart disease, do not wait any longer.  Visit your physician and request a VAP screening to ease your mind.

If you have recently been diagnosed with high cholesterol, or an elevated LDL (low density lipoprotein) level, there are many different avenues that you can take to get your cholesterol down to an acceptable and manageable level. If you are not interested in taking any doctor prescribed medications and would prefer to try and lower your levels naturally, there are many cholesterol lowering herbs and herbal supplements that you can take that will do just that. First off, it is extremely important that you discuss your plan with your physician. If your cholesterol levels are off the chart, he may recommend prescription medication until you reach a level where he/she feels comfortable enough having you begin natural herb supplements. You can also visit a naturalist or homeopathic specialist who can give you precise ideas about lowering your cholesterol naturally.

The people of India have long been the essence of good health. Their diet consists of healthy foods (mostly vegetarian), steering clear, especially of beef (which is extremely high in saturated fats). There are a couple of Indian herbs that are known to lower cholesterol levels and stop the build up of the waxy substance inside the walls of your arteries. Guggulipid is an ancient Indian herb that lowers triglyceride levels and keeps your cholesterol at a manageable number. It minimizes the LDL in your system, thus increasing your HDL levels. Another Indian herb used to lower cholesterol is turmeric. This herb is used most commonly in India in curry dishes. It lowers your cholesterol level and is known to increase blood flow in your body.

Moving on to another part of the world that epitomizes good health and proper diet is Asia. Asian food is known for being light, free of lots of fats or butter, and chocked full of fresh vegetables and steamed seafoods. The people of Asia also give props to several cholesterol lowering herbs that they firmly believe gives them a healthy body both internally and externally, helping with their organs as well as giving their skin a healthy glow. Green tea is something that is consumed continuously throughout Asia. Green tea aids in lower the number of low density lipoproteins in the blood stream as well as assists in putting a stop to the constriction of blood vessels in your body. Ginger is another herb that is used very commonly in Asian cooking. Ginger helps to reduce the bad cholesterol in your body, while raising your HDL levels. It is known to thin the blood as well as lower blood pressure as well.

There are two types of cholesterol levels: the good and the bad. The good type is called the HDL (High Density Lipoproteins) which helps to keep the bad levels away from your arteries by transporting them down to your liver and disposing them out of your body. The bad levels are called LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins) that, when at a high level, causes massive build-up in the walls of the arteries leading up to your brain and heart, thus putting you at risk of many different kinds of heart disease such as congestive heart failure, heart attack and stroke. It is very important to maintain a good balance of cholesterol proteins and this can be done by making sure that the cholesterol HDL ratio is a number less than 4. The average number is around 4.5, but a number reading less than 4 is ideal.

Your HDL level increases when you abuse your body in some way, meaning that you do not treat it as the vessel it is, nurturing it with healthy food and avoiding unhealthy habits. Having a regular diet loaded with saturated fats is one way to keep your high density lipoproteins elevated. All animal foods such as meats, poultry, eggs, high fat dairy products and seafoods contain cholesterol. Sticking with a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains will keep your body at a healthy cholesterol level and will keep your HDL ratio where it should be at. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grain do not contain any cholesterol, so these are the obvious choices to stick with when trying to lower your cholesterol levels.

Reducing your weight by eliminating excess fats from your diet is also a good indicator that you are trying to find a good balance of cholesterols in you body. Checking with your physician to get your body fat count will help you get a good idea of what types of steps you need to take to lower your cholesterol levels. If you are a smoker, it is incredibly important that you try and stop that habit. Smoking is one of the top 6 leading causes for heart disease. That, along with a high cholesterol reading puts you at a huge disadvantage health-wise. Exercising regularly is also a factor in maintaining or achieving a low cholesterol reading. Moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes four to six times a week will help build up your body mass while decreasing your bad cholesterol readings, thus giving you a manageable and healthy cholesterol HDL ratio to continue leading a healthy and active lifestyle.

Knowing the facts about good and bad cholesterol can help reduce your risk for a heart attack or stroke.  Understanding what cholesterol is, and how it affects your health is only the beginning, you also need to manage your cholesterol.  Managing your cholesterol will include many things like scheduling a screening with your physician, following any advice from your doctor, eating foods low in cholesterol and saturated fat, eating foods free of trans fat, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active.   

Cholesterol is one of the many substances that is created by our own bodies, and it is used to keep us healthy.  Cholesterol is a soft, fatty, waxy substance that is found in your bloodstream, and in all of your body’s cells.  It is an important part of a healthy body because it is used for producing cell membranes and some hormones.  Cholesterol does not dissolve in the blood, it has to be moved to and from the cells by low density  lipoproteins (LDL), and high density lipoproteins (HDL). 

Cholesterol enters our body in two ways, some of it we produce, and some of it enters our bodies through the food we eat.  Cholesterol itself is not bad.  There are two types of cholesterol, good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.  It is very important that you understand the differences between the two, and to understand and know the levels of cholesterol in your own blood.  Too much bad cholesterol (LDL), and not enough of the good cholesterol (HDL), can put you at a higher risk for heart attack, heart disease, or strokes.   Both of these types of lipids are very important in your body functions, and together they make up your total cholesterol count. 

Good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein, helps protect us against heart attacks.  And on the flip side, low levels of HDL (usually less that 40 mg/dl) increases your risk of heart disease.  It is very important that there is a balance of cholesterol in your body.  Many research experts are of the opinion that HDL carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it them passes from the body.  They also are of the opinion that HDL removes excess cholesterol from arterial plaque, therefore slowing its buildup in your arteries.  

Low density lipoproteins (LDL) also known as bad cholesterol will build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and the brain.  When combined with other substances it will form plaque, a hard, thick deposit that will narrow the arteries and make them less flexible and less able to carry blood.  This condition is called atherosclerosis.  If a clot forms under this condition and blocks an artery, the result may be a heart attack or a stroke. 

Your totally cholesterol count can be determined by a simple blood test.  It is important that you check with your physician to see if you need to have your blood tested.