Millions of people, including young adults, have high cholesterol, yet few are aware that their cholesterol level is elevated. That’s because, in most cases, there are no symptoms or warning signs. The only way to be certain is by taking a blood test. If a person’s total cholesterol is 240 mg/dL or higher, it is high.
Having a high cholesterol reading is worrying, because it increases the chances of having plaque accumulation in the arteries. A build up of plaque will ultimately block, or even completely stop the flow of blood, resulting in a heart attack or stroke. Some reasons for having high cholesterol, like age and heredity, cannot be completely reversed. Some changes, like diet and exercise level, can be managed.
Healthy eating and exercising more frequently, are usually the first defense against cholesterol control. Those lifestyle changes, however, are not enough at times by themselves. That is where some supplements enter the picture and can assist a bit further. Supplements will never replace healthy living, but they can certainly fill in and play complementary roles when used properly.
