High Cholesterol
What is it:
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver and found in certain foods, such as from animals, like dairy products (whole milk), eggs and meat. The body needs some cholesterol in order to function properly. When there is too much cholesterol in your body, because of diet and the rate at which the cholesterol is processed, it is deposited in arteries, including those of the heart, which can lead to narrowing of the arteries and heart disease.
Who has it:
107 Million Americans have total blood cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL or higher. Excess weight contributes to high cholesterol. Losing even 5 to 10 pounds of excess weight can help lower total cholesterol levels.
Consequences:
The World Health Organization estimates that over 50% of all heart attacks and almost 20% of all strokes can be linked to high cholesterol. The number of patients on prescribed low-cholesterol diets is expected to increase from 52 million to about 65 million, and the number of patients prescribed a cholesterol-lowering drug is expected to increase from 13 million to about 36 million.
health & happiness
(years of potential life lost (YPLL))
