Your body produces and needs cholesterol in order to keep you healthy. You have bad cholesterol, which needs to be kept low, and good cholesterol which needs to be kept high. An imbalance of this will increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. It’s time we understood the truth about cholesterol, and this guide will tell you everything you never knew about cholesterol.

You don’t need to check it when you’re young

Simply not true. It’s recommended by the American Heart Association that adults over 20 years old should have their cholesterol levels checked every four to six years.

Slimmer people can’t have high cholesterol

Anyone and everyone has the potential to have high cholesterol, no matter their body type. People who don’t gain weight easily might not be aware of how much saturated and trans fat they’re consuming.

Only men should worry about cholesterol levels

Both men and women will see their cholesterol levels increase as they age, especially as weight gain is also a contributing factor to high cholesterol levels. Women who are premenopausal, however, are less likely to have high cholesterol levels than men. As estrogen is higher throughout those childbearing years, it’s also been shown to raise good cholesterol levels.

Wait until your doctor mentions it

It’s your responsibility to take care of your health, not your doctors. This means that you need to take the initiative and ask your doctor to test your cholesterol and what you’re at risk of. Once you know for sure, then you can take the necessary actions to lower your cholesterol level.

You don’t need to make changes while on medications

Medications aren’t the sole cure for high cholesterol. While they can definitely help you lower your levels, you’ll also need to incorporate a healthy diet and proper lifestyle change to ensure your cholesterol is under control.

“No cholesterol” foods are automatically heart healthy

To ensure you’re consuming food that won’t raise your cholesterol due to the presence of high saturated or trans fats, look at how much is actually in the product. Don’t focus on labels that say low or no cholesterol. Instead, look at the specific amounts as well as the descending order of the ingredients list. Choose products that have fats and oils towards the bottom of that list.

At Allwell Pharmacy, we’re dedicated to helping Canadians achieve their health goals. With locations in both Brampton and Mississauga, our pharmacy offers flexible, quality patient care. Independently-owned, we’re fully-equipped to service the area with free, local prescription deliveries. With services that include pharmacy compounding, vaccinations, compression stockings and more, be sure to visit our website to sign up.

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