A diet high in animal fats and cholesterol strongly increases the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol from animal fats containing L.D.L., or low density lipoprotein (LIP-oh-pro-teen) particles, is considered 'bad' cholesterol.

According to the American Heart Association, roughly more than fifty million Americans have blood cholesterol levels high enough to be at risk for heart disease.

H.D.L. cholesterol, or high-density lipoproteins (LIP-oh-pro-teens), actually carries cholesterol out of the bloodstream. It is therefore considered the 'good' cholesterol.

Controlling your cholesterol is absolutely essential to lowering your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks. Though medication may be required, a nutrition and exercise plan is the most effective weapon for putting cholesterol in proper balance.

Cholesterol is an essential body chemical. It is one of the fat-like nutrients transported in the blood and is used by the body to build cell walls and produce vitamin D and certain hormones.