By now, you're likely familiar with the common tests your primary care physician runs to ensure that your body is functioning as it should—one of which, is checking your body's cholesterol levels. When you visit Dr. Joel Biggers and Dr. Elizabeth Biggers of Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL, you can find comfort in family medicine that offers support in managing the health and well-being of your whole family.
What Is Cholesterol?
According to the National Library of Medicine, cholesterol is described as: "...a waxy, fat-like substance that's found in all the cells in your body." Cholesterol occurs in the body naturally, therefore maintaining the amount necessary for producing hormones, vitamin D, and forming cell membranes.
Levels of cholesterol vary as a result of consuming foods that are from or contain animal products (e.g. meat, dairy, and eggs). When you have high levels of cholesterol in your blood, it will often fuse with different substances nearby, eventually forming plaque in the blood. Once the plaque is present in the blood, it clings to the walls of your arteries, which can limit or even block the oxygen in your blood.
Preventing High Cholesterol
In short, lifestyle choices and maintaining a proper diet are some of the most common ways to keep your cholesterol in check. However, at Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL, we understand that managing your cholesterol is a bit more complex than that. One of the benefits of family medicine is taking a look at the history of your health including your genetics.
Taking care of your heart and providing sustainable care can often look like this:
- Heart-healthy diet—Making sure that mealtimes include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and other nutritious foods while reducing consumption of foods that are high in saturated and trans fats. These changes are not expected to occur overnight but have been proven to be an effective way of regulating higher cholesterol levels.
- Physical exercise—Though widely known, achieving regular physical exercises for a minimum of 30 minutes every day is an important factor in keeping your body healthy!
- Monitoring your stress—Chronic stress has been noted as a possible reason for impacting your cholesterol levels.
Prioritize Your Heart
Maintaining regular visits with Dr. Joel Biggers and Dr. Elizabeth Biggers of Biggers Family Medicine ensures the health and well-being of you and your whole family. For exception care and support through family medicine in Brandon, FL, schedule your next appointment by calling us today, at (813) 655-4646!