To Your Health: “Fat Facts About Your Blood Chemistry and What You Can Do About It”

by Barbara Dion
 

Daniel vanBuren, MD

How much do you really know about cholesterol and the many ways it affects your body? How can you effectively lower your levels to achieve a healthier lifestyle? Dr. Daniel vanBuren answered these and many other questions at the latest To Your Health offering.

Dr. vanBuren, Director of Cardiovascular Medicine at the New England Heart Institute, presented a highly informative program, explaining how our bodies produce cholesterol and its detrimental effect on our health. He explained the differences between HDL and LDL - good versus bad. High LDL levels raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other related heart problems.

There are many ways we can lower our risk factors for heart disease due to high cholesterol. Medication is often prescribed by doctors, as well as dietary changes. Avoiding foods high in saturated fat such as butter, fried foods, and cheese and replacing them with healthier choices goes a long way towards improving our levels. Exercise, smoking cessation, stress reduction, and weight control are also highly recommended.

Dr. vanBuren discussed the many different types of statin drugs that are prescribed by physicians to reduce your risk factors. He also touched on the various supplements that are often touted as helpful in reducing cholesterol and whether they are indeed effective.

All in all, the attendees left with a wealth of knowledge and maybe a little better understanding of how their bodies work. 


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