Cholesterol seems to be one of those things people just don’t understand. We get it, it can be confusing, but luckily for you, we are here to explain it, and help you out by providing some tips for staying on top of managing your cholesterol.

So, what is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat like molecule that is a vital component of all cells in our body. It is also involved in many key metabolic processes. Many people get caught up with the misconception that cholesterol is divided into bad LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) and good HDL (High Density Lipoprotein). In reality, cholesterol is usually transported around the body by these two different types of protein, which are then divided into small and large components.

So, following on from this, it is the small components of both LDL and HDL that contribute to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases such as a heart attack or a stroke. Most standard blood tests don’t measure the sub components of both LDL and HDL, so it is very possible to have the harmful small type of LDL particles, yet still have a normal LDL result on a standard blood test. Hence, if you know you have a few risk factors for heart disease, it would be very worthwhile discussing whether further testing could benefit you with your doctor.

What can you do to manage your Cholesterol?

Firstly, whether you are aiming to manage cholesterol or not, it is always important to stay on top of your diet. Eating the following foods may help to decrease the negative components of cholesterol levels: Apples, grapes, citrus fruits, strawberries, tuna, salmon, sardines, olive oil, nuts, whole grains, beans, eggplant, oats and any other fibre-rich foods.[1]

As well as eating a healthy diet, it is recommended to exercise regularly, as it has been shown to reduce the detrimental aspects of cholesterol[2]. All you need is 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day, whether it’s a brisk walk to work or a quick at home workout.

Finally, if you know your cholesterol levels are high, it is very likely that your GP has prescribed you statin medication. Around 2.2 million Australians take statins to control cholesterol levels[3], but it is also extremely important to supplement with natural therapies. Ubiquinol, which is the active form of CoQ10 and has been shown to help maintain a healthy heart, decreasing the symptoms of statin myopathy as well as LDL cholesterol levels. We recommend to talk to your local pharmacist or GP for some advice on taking Ubiquinol.

Speak to your healthcare practitioner to find out which supplement is right for you. Always read the label. Use only as directed.

[1] https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/11-foods-that-lower-cholesterol

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3906547/

[3] https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/news/conclusive-statins-study-ends-fear-mongering