Young people often give little thought to their health until they experience an actual health problem. Many of the lifestyle choices we make when we are young contribute to health problems when we are older.

One thing you can do when you are still young is keep track of your cholesterol levels as this will make you less likely to have a stroke or heart attack when you are older.

Cholesterol is a liquid form of fat that is in every cell in your body. Your cholesterol is related to your diet and genetics. You have no control of over genetics but you can control what foods you put into your body. Eat foods high in cholesterol like red meat, dairy products, fish and most processed foods in moderation.

Cholesterol you ingest is released into your body through your blood. The cholesterol becomes covered in a protein called chylomicron and is absorbed by the liver. The liver is what processes cholesterol that you get from your food. If you have a low enough level of cholesterol, you should have no health problems.

The cholesterol your body produces naturally is enough that you really do not require much additional cholesterol from the food you eat. When you avoid dairy products and meats high in carbohydrates and saturated fats, you will help keep your cholesterol at a healthy level. Foods with unsaturated fats are not that bad for your cholesterol levels. Fast food is the worst food you can eat as it’s very high in bad cholesterol.

The difference between good and bad cholesterol is the lipoproteins. LDL (low-density lipoproteins) is the bad cholesterol while HDL (high-density lipoproteins) is the good cholesterol. LDL is the cholesterol that causes plaque build up in the arteries that can lead to cardiovascular issues.

When there is plaque in the arteries, the arteries actually get hard and inflexible, which means less circulation. Lower circulation causes strokes and heart attacks. You want your LDL levels to be lower than your HDL cholesterol levels in order be healthy. The HDL works by cleaning your arteries, removing plaque and other dangerous substances.

Get your cholesterol checked even if you think you are too young to worry about it. Making changes now could lead to a healthier future.