What do you know about cholesterol? Commonly, people know that cholesterol can lead to heart disease or hypertension. But there are some other facts that people rarely know about cholesterol.

High cholesterol found in the blood is dangerous for anyone, but sometimes cholesterol can be found in very low levels in certain people. The too high or too low cholesterol can be risky for certain diseases.

Here are some other facts about cholesterol, as quoted by CNN, Friday (27/11/2009), namely:

1. High cholesterol can not be avoided in some people. Sometimes, a lot of people who have high cholesterol are due to genetic factors. So that high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) are always in unhealthy levels.

2. High cholesterol can be seen from the skin. Usually people know that high cholesterol after a doctor’s examination. But high cholesterol can occur in the skin as a reddish-yellowish bumps known as Xanthomas. Its size varies, and it is usually found in the joints, hands and eyelids.

3. The too low cholesterol can be dangerous. It is not good for health. Researchers showed that pregnant women who have the lower cholesterol levels tend to give birth to premature babies, as well as in adults can cause anxiety and depression.

4. Exercise increases good cholesterol. Recent research published in Journal of Lipid Research shows that exercise can increase good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.

5. Cholesterol-free foods can still produce cholesterol. Cholesterol is usually made in the liver of animals and are only found in various foods derived from animals such as meat, milk and eggs. Sometimes cholesterol obtained from food processing such as by frying or baking.

6. High cholesterol can cause erectile dysfunction. Swedish researchers in 2005 found that men who have cholesterol levels of 270 mg / dL or more had 4.5 times higher possibility to experience the erectile dysfunction.

Therefore, you need to know exactly your cholesterol levels, whether including high or low cholesterol. Apply a healthy lifestyle to avoid health risks that might arise.

Translated from: Detikcom