Understand the new thinking about cholesterol

We're now learning that healthy levels of cholesterol are actually important for good health. It's all about the balance between good and bad types of fats. Want to know more? We'll break it down simply and help you make more informed dietary decisions.

• Your body uses cholesterol every day to build cell membranes and to produce sex hormones, vitamin D, and fat-digesting bile acids.
• We eat too many "bad fats" (saturated fats and artificial trans-fatty acids) that raise levels of heart-threatening LDL cholesterol. Conversely, we consume too little of the "good fats" (unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids) found in foods like canola oil, nuts, and fish that increase levels of "good" HDL cholesterol.
• Triglycerides are another important (but less well-known) blood fat and should also be kept at healthy levels.
• Exercise is the key to keeping LDLs lower and HDLs higher.
• Looking for better health? Don't just focus single-mindedly on lowering your cholesterol. Instead, try to increase your HDLs and lower your LDLs. This is the most powerful way to reduce your risk of clogged arteries, heart attacks, and strokes.

If you or someone you're with has sudden heart attack symptoms, have them thoroughly chew and swallow one regular-strength aspirin tablet immediately. Chewing delivers aspirin's clot-stopping powers to your bloodstream in just five minutes. In contrast, swallowing the aspirin whole delays clot-stoppers for 12 crucial minutes.

Triglyceride level for heart and brain protection (mg/dl):

• Under 100: Ideal
• 100–149: Normal
• 150–199: Borderline high
• 200–499: High
• 500 and above: Extremely risky

LDL level for heart and brain protection (mg/dl):

• Under 100: Optimal
• 100–129: Near optimal
• 130–159: Borderline high
• 160–189: High
• 190 and above: Very high

Don't just fear and avoid cholesterol: understand it. By properly managing the different types of cholesterol in your diet, you can keep your heart beating strong.