Your Complete Guide to Being Well and Staying Healthy
Healthy Living
Cholesterol
There's a lot of news about cholesterol these days, and with good reason.
High cholesterol contributes to heart disease, which kills more Americans
than all cancers combined. A regular exercise routine and good eating
habits — along with medication if your doctor recommends it — can keep
cholesterol levels under control and lower your risk of heart disease.
Health Centers
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a name given to a group of diseases that limit the flow of air in and out of your lungs. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Long-time cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD.
Your Family
Men's Health
Stay healthy and vigorous into old age by eating right, getting plenty of exercise and following recommended disease prevention practices.
Today's Tools and Multimedia
Animation:
Calculator:
Clinical Wizard:
Podcast:
Quiz:
Risk Assessment:
Video:
Health Tip of the Day
A Guide to Fats
Fats are a group of chemical compounds that contain fatty acids. Energy is stored in your body mostly in the form of fat. There are three main types of fatty acids: saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Reducing all types of fat in your diet is best.
-
Saturated fats are found mostly in foods of animal origin: meat, poultry skin, butter, cheese and partially hydrogenated oils. Saturated fats increase the LDL (bad) cholesterol level in your blood.
-
Polyunsaturated fats are found in corn, cottonseed, safflower, soybean and sunflower oils. They can reduce LDL cholesterol levels but in excess they may also reduce HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
-
Monounsaturated fats are the primary fats in olive, peanut, sesame and canola oils. They raise HDL cholesterol as they lower LDL cholesterol, but they should be consumed in moderation.
-
Trans-fats are found in hydrogenated vegetable oils such as margarines and shortenings, and in many commercially made desserts. Trans-fats raise LDL and lower HDL cholesterol.