by Gary Gendron, D.C., C.C.S.P., C.C.N., D.A.C.B.N.

September is National Cholesterol Education Month. And although we hear a lot about it, many of us may not understand the basics of cholesterol or what can be done to help manage it. Unfortunately, there are no outward signs if you are having a cholesterol problem, making it even more important to get the facts.

What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that cannot be dissolved in your blood stream. It must be transported out. Cholesterol moves through your blood stream via proteins called, lipoproteins. Too much of the "bad" cholesterol or Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), can lead to clogging, while High Density Lipoproteins (HDL), or "good" cholesterol, carries cholesterol away from your arteries to keep you healthy. As you can see, you want less of the bad stuff - LDL - and more of the good stuff - HDL.

Where does cholesterol come from?
I'm sure you've seen the same TV commercials I have about the two sources of cholesterol -your body and your diet. It's true. The cholesterol created in your body is made naturally in your liver as a protective agent to combat the bad cholesterol. Meats, whole milk, cheese, butter, eggs, and convenience foods inject additional amounts of cholesterol into your diet, which is why it's recommended you limit your consumption of these foods. But that's not always easy to do.

With today's on-the-go lifestyle, many of us eat at fast food restaurants or heat up a pre-packaged dinner in the microwave. These foods are often laden with unhealthy oils and fats that cause your cholesterol intake to go through the roof.

Natural solutions to clobber cholesterol
Here are a few food, lifestyle, and supplement options to consider to you help clobber cholesterol naturally:

Foods

Oatmeal and oat bran

Walnuts and almonds

Fish and Omega 3 fatty acids

Pears and oranges

Your diet should include lean meats, fish, skinless poultry, whole grain foods and fruits and vegetables