Age. Your chances of developing high cholesterol increase as you age. Blood cholesterol levels naturally begin to rise after age 20. This rise is probably a result of the body’s decreased ability to rid itself of excess cholesterol.

Gender. Your gender affects the age when you are at the most risk of developing high cholesterol levels. In general, men tend to develop high cholesterol at a younger age than women. Before menopause, women have lower total blood cholesterol levels and higher HDL (”good”) cholesterol levels than men, making them less likely to have coronary artery disease (CAD). After menopause, women’s LDL (”bad”) cholesterol levels typically increase substantially because of hormonal changes, and their risk for CAD increases along with their risk for high cholesterol. Menopausal women and men about age 50 have cholesterol levels that increase at around the same rate.

Heredity. High cholesterol can run in families, meaning that the genetic trait that increases the risk for developing high cholesterol can be passed down from one generation to the next. For this reason, it is important for people who have a family history of high cholesterol or CAD to check their cholesterol levels regularly.

Too many of these fats can increase cholesterol drastically. To make sure you are not indulging in too much unhealthy fat, learn to read and interpret ate the label of contents.

Essential Fatty Acids, by contrast, are …well essential!
By contrast unsaturated fat and essential fatty acids are vital to our health, may reduce cholesterol and improve brainpower. These unsaturated fats can be found in vegetable oils, avocados, nuts and seeds. Fish, especially oily fish, is the most valuable source of saturated fats and the best way of getting the right balance of Omega-3, 6 and 9 fatty acids.

Tinned fish is not so rich in essential fatty acids, as much of their goodness is eliminated during processing. To make sure that you still get some of the vital unsaturated fat from tinned fish, avoid buying tinned fish that is preserved in oil and rather choose fish that is preserved in brine or spring water. Sunflower oil, in particular, tends to block our receptors for Omega 3.

Westerners tend to consume too little Omega 3 and too much Omega 6, which is found in vegetable oil. For those who don’t like fresh fish, taking a supplement might be a good alternative. Look for the ration symbol (2:1:1) on labels, which means two parts of Omega 3 to one of Omega 6 and one of Omega 9. Nutritionists recommend a product such as Omega 3-6-9, which is a great choice or suggest Udo’s Choice Ultimate Blend Oil that is suitable for vegetarians.

Your body needs some cholesterol. But if you have too much, it starts to build up in your arteries. (Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.) This is called hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. It is usually a slow process that gets worse as you get older.

the buildup of cholesterol narrows your arteries and makes it harder for blood to flow through them. It reduces the amount of blood that gets to your body tissues, including your heart. This can lead to serious problems, including heart attack and stroke.

A simple blood test tells you how much cholesterol you have. The test results are given in mg/dL of cholesterol but most people just say the numbers.

For a general idea about your total cholesterol number, compare your number to the following:

• Best is less than 200.
• Borderline-high is 200 to 239.
• High is 240 or above.

Causes high cholesterol?

• Diet. Eating too much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol can raise your cholesterol. Saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol are in foods that come from animals (such as meats, whole milk, egg yolks, butter, and cheese), many packaged foods, and snack foods like cookies, crackers, and chips.
• Weight. Being overweight may raise triglycerides and lower “good” HDL.
• Activity level. Not exercising may raise “bad” LDL and lower HDL.
• Overall health. Diseases such as hypothyroidism can raise cholesterol. Smoking may lower HDL.
• Age. Cholesterol starts to rise after age 20. In men, it usually levels off after age 50. In women, it stays fairly low until menopause. After that, cholesterol levels rise to about the same levels as in men.
• Family. Some people inherit a rare disease called a lipid disorder. It can cause very high total cholesterol, very low HDL, and high triglycerides. If you have this problem, you will need to start treatment at a young age.

Reference Site:  health.yahoo.com

1. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are the “bad” cholesterol. LDL is mostly fat with only a small amount of protein. It can clog your arteries. If you have high cholesterol, your doctor will want you to lower your LDL.
2. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are the “good” cholesterol. HDL is more protein than fat. It helps clear the bad cholesterol from your blood so it does not clog your arteries. A high level of HDL can protect you from a heart attack.
3. Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood that can affect your health. If you have high triglycerides and high LDL, your chances of having a heart attack are higher.

The Basics to Practice Every Day

1. Move More

Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given achoice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it’s a stress buster. Think ‘move’ in small increments of time. It doesn’t have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that’s great when you’re up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we’ve seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or ‘tough guy’ stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can’t live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It’s a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: ‘Smoke gets in your eyes’…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it’s because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don’t? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body’s boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There’s a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can’t be unhappy when you’re smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn’t mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.