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Myths and Facts About Managing High Cholesterol
Myth# 1: All Cholesterol Is Bad 

Fact: Your body needs some cholesterol to stay healthy, but you can have too much. Your total cholesterol number is the sum of a few types, mostly LDL or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and HDL or high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Problems happen when you have too much LDL, it's the one most likely to clog your arteries. HDL is thought of as the "good", cholesterol as it can sweep the LDL away. 

Myth # 2 : High-Cholesterol Food Are To Blame   

Fact : The American Heart Association says to get less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol from food, but it turns that saturated fat are the bigger problem. Red meat, butter, and full-fat dairy are the common sources. 
What about eggs? One large egg has 186 milligrams of cholesterol and just 1.6 grams of saturated fat, or 8% of daily cap, so you can enjoy them in moderation.

Myth #3: A No-Fat Diet is the Best Diet  

Fact: When it comes to fat, i;s not all or nothing - your body needs fat, but it should be the right kind. The top choice should be unsaturated fats, which can be polyunsaturated, like walnuts, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, and fatty fish or monounsaturated fats like, olive oil and avocado. Make the switch to help lower your high LDL and boost your heart health. 

​Myth # 4: You Can Eat What You Want if You're Taking Cholesterol Meds

Fact: It takes a few steps to control cholesterol and prevent its complications. like heart disease and stroke. Medication is just one of them. You also want to follow a heart -healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains rich in fiber, plus foods with unsaturated fats like fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. 

Myth# 5: Thin People Can't Have High Cholesterol

Fact: High cholesterol can happen to anyone. Risk factors include not having enough exercise, a low-quality diet and, inherited conditions like familial and hypocholesterolemia. Though high cholesterol is more common among who are overweight or obese,  being just a few pounds over your ideal weight can increase your risk.

Myth # 6: Only People Over 35 Need To Be Tested.

Fact: Your cholesterol should be checked every 5 years from childhood  to middle age. Men ages 45-65 and women ages 55-65 should have it checked every 1-2 years. After 65, make it yearly. If you have high cholesterol you may need more frequent testing to make sure your meds and lifestyle changes are working. If your cholesterol has never been checked, ask your doctor about it- don't wait for them to bring it up.

Myth  # 7. Only Adults Can Have High Cholesterol

Fact: Current stats show that 7% of kids between the ages of 6 and 19 have high cholesterol. Their risk factors are the same as for adults: an unhealthy diet, unhealthy weight, and a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease. Children with any of these risk factors should have their cholesterol checked as early as age 2.

Myth # 8: High Cholesterol Affects Mostly Men

Fact: Before menopause, women may have some protection from high cholesterol, thanks to estrogen, but even young women can have worrisome cholesterol levels. After menopause, you may see a change in your cholesterol level even if, this was never a problem. Though heart disease usually happen in life later in women than men, it is the leading cause of death for women. Cholesterol control is key to a healthy heart.

Myth # 9: High HDL Can Fix High LDL

Fact: A high HDL is a good thing but it can't make up for high LDL or high  total cholesterol. Also, scientist recently discovered that there are different types of HDL, and not all of them lower your overall risk. There are new ways to measure LDL that are more accurate and that don't require fasting in advance.

Myth # 10: It All Comes Down To Diet

Diet isn't the only lifestyle factor that needs your attention. Other things can also help you manage your cholesterol. If you're a smoker, quit to help to raise your good HDL cholesterol.  Exercise also has this benefit- aim for 30 minutes on most days of the week.  Also lose weight if you carry extra pounds.

​Credit: WebMD