When it comes to dealing with cholesterol, most people become very confused by the terminology that is used by the medical profession. One such term is LDL low, and another is HDL high. Nevertheless, understanding what they mean is important, if you are to achieve heart healthy cholesterol levels.

LDL, or bad cholesterol as it is most commonly referred to as, is a major risk factor for heart disease, if levels are not kept in check.

When you hear the term LDL low, it simply means that your levels of bad cholesterol are low, and thankfully, your risk of contracting heart disease is lowered.

When your LDL levels become too high, plaque forms in the walls of your arteries.

Over time, this plaque will start to causes blockages in the arteries, resulting in a restrictive flow of blood to your brain, heart and other major organs.

The unfortunate outcome, in most cases, is a stroke or a heart attack.

With more than 14 million people in the United States alone suffering from coronary artery disease, it is crucial to keep your LDL low at all times.

Attaining low LDL is possible, but it is important to ensure that you do not push your levels too low, through the frequent use of prescription medication called statins.

This is something that various health authorities have expressed concern over, as in rare cases, having a low level of LDL cholesterol or a low total cholesterol level can put you at risk of developing some serious health problems.

Although these risks are rare, very low levels of LDL may increase your risk of:

* Cancer
* Depression
* Anxiety
* Preterm birth and low birth weight if your cholesterol is quite low while you are pregnant

The goal of any cholesterol treatment should be to achieve healthy cholesterol levels in order to prevent cardiovascular disease from developing.

If the lipids are properly balanced then your risk of developing heart disease are reduced.

You need to keep track of your cholesterol levels. Your LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels should fall within these ranges:

* LDL below 100 mg/dL or below 70 mg/DL if you are at a very high risk of heart disease

* Total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL

There are a number of natural and safe ways to achieve an LDL low level of cholesterol, and these include diet, exercise and natural supplements.

Eating foods high in soluble fiber and rich in Omega 3, such as whole grains and fish, will lower LDL cholesterol while raising HDL.

Try to stay away from or at the very least limit foods that are high in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol, such as animal products, dairy products, cakes, biscuits, junk food, pre-packaged food and processed food.

Get around 30 minutes of regular exercise 5 days a week. This will raise HDL cholesterol levels and lower LDL.

Natural supplements are all the rage and with good reason. The right ones work and work very well, so considering adding them to your daily routine.

Achieving a healthy LDL low level of cholesterol is easy if you follow the above steps.

Why not give yourself every affordable opportunity to increase and improve your heart health so that you can enjoy quality time with your family and loved ones for years to come.

If you are ready to achieve a healthy LDL low level of cholesterol, while increasing your heart protective HDL level, then visit my website today for quality information to guide you to success.

Mary Ruddy is a former high cholesterol sufferer, from a family with a history of heart disease, and has successfully achieved perfect cholesterol levels, reversing and eliminating the risk of heart disease, and is a strong advocate of natural health care. Mary enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily at: http://www.curing-cholesterol.com/

View the original article here