Beyond Trim: Preventing high cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body makes. You need a small amount, but too much cholesterol can cause health problems.

Cholesterol travels around the body by hitchhiking a ride on particles of fat and protein called lipoproteins. Two of these proteins include HDL or high-density lipoprotein, and LDL or low-density lipoprotein.

We often refer to HDL and LDL as “good” and “bad” cholesterol. The HDL or “good” cholesterol carrier transports cholesterol to the liver where your body can dispose of it. The LDL or “bad” cholesterol carrier carries cholesterol around in your arteries where it can lodge in the artery walls, forming deposits known as plaques. When these plaques get disrupted, they can cause a heart attack.

If your body makes more cholesterol than it needs, th