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"   Question Please can you tell me about cholesterol?  What it is, what should my healthy level be? What can I do to get it down, if it is high? What diet should I be on if it is high?    Answer Thank you for your enquiry.  Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is both manufactured in our body by the liver, and which is present in certain foods.  It is essential to our bodies as it acts to protect our delicate nerves by coating them to protect them &amp;#039;short-circuiting&amp;#039; \u2013 imagine an electrical wire with its protective flex round it and you will get the picture.  Unfortunately, too much cholesterol in your body is bad for you since this increases your risk of heart disease such as strokes and heart attacks by &amp;#039;furring up&amp;#039; your arteries.  Some people have a family history of a high level of cholesterol but for many others diet and lifestyle seems to be the main cause of a raised level.  A &amp;#039;healthy&amp;#039; level is probably one which is below 5 millimoles per litre (mmol/L), but the balance of the other fats in your blood is just as important.  If there is a family history of high cholesterol, or if you simply want yours checking contact your doctor who should organise this and then discuss your readings with you. You will need to starve for 12 hours before having the blood test taken for the most accurate result.  A healthy diet here is one that is low in saturated fats and high in fibre, fresh fruit and vegetables.  There are many books on this subject and excellent places to gain further information here are the websites of both Heart UK and the British Heart Foundation. Yours sincerely The NetDoctor Medical Team  Other Qs &amp;amp;amp; As Alcohol consumption and cholesterol Blurred vision due to tablets for high cholesterol Cholesterol and sodium levels Cholesterol intake Cholesterol levels Cholesterol levels and unstable blood pressure Foods to reduce cholesterol High cholesterol High cholesterol but low blood pressure High cholesterol concerns How can I reduce my cholesterol? Is cholesterol level likely to increase with age? Is this high cholesterol? LDH Lowering the cholesterol Lowering the cholesterol levels with medicine Medication to control cholesterol levels Reducing the cholesterol level Spread to help cholesterol? What are lipids?  Last updated 08.01.2015 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ask-the-expert/heart-and-blood/a873/cholesterol/>