As a part of your annual physical examination with your doctor, your doctor will probably require a cholesterol test.  This simple procedure will help ensure that cholesterol levels in your blood are within normal conditions, a major part in preventing heart disease.

          Cholesterol is the most abundant steroid in the human body.  It is abundant in foods, especially foods high in animal fats (i.e. meats, dairy, eggs, etc.).  Made in the liver, its primary function is to build cell membranes, produce hormones and digest fat.  Some cholesterol is needed in the body to maintain good health.  However, too much cholesterol can lead to many health problems such as coronary heart disease.

          Cholesterol travels through the blood attached to proteins.  Lipoproteins, as these groupings are called, are classified into three areas:  high density, low density and very low density. 

          It is the Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) that can cause you problems.  This “bad” cholesterol can cause a buildup of plaque on the interior walls of arteries, increasing blood pressure and strain on the heart.  The more LDL present in the blood, the greater the chance of heart disease.

          High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is the “good” cholesterol.  It actually helps the body get rid of the bad cholesterol.  The higher level of HDL in the blood, the better your chance of getting rid of LDL and decreasing your risk of heart disease.

          Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) might as well be called “very bad” cholesterol.  It contains mostly fat and few proteins.  VLDL is flushed by HDL in the system.

For most people, doctors like to see total cholesterol numbers below 200 mg/dL.  A healthy goal for HDL is over 40 mg/dL with LDL below 150 mg/dl.  Generally, a doctor likes to see high levels of good cholesterol and low levels of bad cholesterol.

          As mentioned earlier, a simple blood test after fasting, as part of your annual physical examination, will usually include a cholesterol test.  If your cholesterol is not within normal parameters, your doctor will consult with you about treatment.

          However, you may want to keep an eye on your cholesterol yourself.  For this, you may want to try a home cholesterol test.  Home cholesterol tests are a convenient and inexpensive way to monitor your cholesterol frequently, ensuring that cholesterol levels remain in bounds.  They can also be effective if you doctor has placed you on a treatment program and you wish to monitor your results.

          Home cholesterol tests are simple to use.  Similar to a blood sugar test, they require one or two drops of blood from your fingertips.  After a few minutes, you simply need to read the test device to determine your overall cholesterol level.

          There are some drawbacks to using these home cholesterol tests.  First, these home cholesterol tests are not as accurate as your doctors tests.  While they may give you a rough idea of what your cholesterol levels are, regular blood tests must be conducted to ensure proper health. 

Second, most people forget to fast when taking the test.  Since diet can affect cholesterol levels, not fasting can give you readings much higher than they actually are. 

And lastly, these cholesterol tests only measure overall cholesterol.  They do not separate HDL and LDL levels, not giving you all the information you need to have regarding your cholesterol. 

While these home cholesterol tests may be useful in monitoring overall cholesterol levels, only your doctor can make accurate determinations of your health and prescribe a treatment program that is right for you.

Generally, your doctor will prescribe a variety of medication to help lower your cholesterol.  This daily regimen of drugs can help lower your LDL levels as well as raise your HDL levels.  Many of these drugs can also help reverse plaque buildups in arterial walls.

          However, good healthy living is the best way to treat high cholesterol.  Good diet and regular exercise are two of the most important factors in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.  Unhealthy habits of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided to keep cholesterol low.

          There are some foods and herbs that can also stimulate processing and purging of LDL.  Grilled garlic is an excellent antioxidant and helps cleanse the blood of all toxins.  Similarly, onion juice is also effective at reducing LDL levels.  Turmeric and curry leaves are also reported to help lower cholesterol as well as the Ayurveda herb guggulu (commiphora mukul).

          You should avoid excess fat when eating by avoiding fried foods, butter, fatty meats and heavy creams.  Increase consumption of fiber and green, leafy vegetables as well as good fruits.