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Health Talkin' with Cholesterol: What is the BIG Deal? Authors: Brent Kitto and Taylor Reuther, Pharm.D.; William Kirchain, Pharm.D.; Griggs, Eric MD Cholesterol is a fatty substance that comes from food and the liver. It is a key part of our body because it performs many jobs. These jobs range from helping in digestion, support of our body and the production of hormones. However, too much cholesterol can be bad. Why is too much cholesterol bad? It can add unwanted weight to the body. It can gather inside our blood vessels and block the blood flow. This can increase the risks of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. High cholesterol does not show any symptoms. People who have high cholesterol are at TWICE the risk for developing heart disease as people with good levels. It is important to talk to your doctor about getting tested. These are risk factors for developing high cholesterol. · Family History · High Blood Pressure · Diabetes · Obesity · Lack of Exercise · Poor Eating Habits · Smoking · Older Age Preventing problems with cholesterol starts with you! Eating too much fat can cause high cholesterol. You will find this fat in beef, pork, milk, eggs, butter and cheese. Packaged foods are also known to have high levels of fat. It’s always important to check food labels. There are many ways to stay healthy though! Daily exercise and healthy eating habits help to decrease cholesterol levels. Foods that are low in fat are the best, as well as foods that consist of fish oils. Vegetables, fruits and lean meats (poultry, fish, etc.) are also good. Regular exercise (about 30 to 45 minutes daily) helps in the prevention of high cholesterol. Exercise can include gardening, walking, cleaning and going to the park. Exercise can also reduce stress and make you feel good! As cholesterol (yellow) builds up in the arteries, they begin to narrow, which lessens or blocks the flow of blood. We need good blood flow for our body to work. If the flow of blood is blocked, then organs can be damaged. This is how a heart attack, stroke, or heart disease can develop. Welcome to "Health Talkin' with Doc Griggs". In conjunction with the Xavier School of Pharmacy Health and Wellness Center, we will discuss topics that we find most relevant in our community. Our shared goal is to help you "Get Checked. Get Fit. Get Moving! ™" This month we tackle... References: https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/facts.htm https://medlineplus.gov/cholesterol.html http://www.americanheart.org 26 | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | breakthrumediamagazine.com MAY / J U N E 2 0 1 7


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