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What is cholesterol? |
Health
Cholesterol is a white, waxy substance found in our bodies. It sounds pretty gross, but our bodies actually use it for many different reasons! Cholesterol makes up the membranes, or the thin flexible walls, that surround all of the cells that make up our bodies. It also helps to make hormones and other chemicals that help our bodies function.
Cholesterol is made in our livers and a few other parts of our bodies, but we also get it from eating food that comes from other animals, like meat and dairy products. Eating small amounts of cholesterol is okay because our bodies can use it, but too much can be dangerous. Cholesterol travels around in our blood streams, and if there is too much, it can start to clog our veins and arteries. That can make people very sick, so it’s always a good idea to choose healthy foods and try to limit the amount of cholesterol we eat. Ask a grown-up how much is healthy for you.
Heart Health
Too much cholesterol can be bad for your heart, but there are plenty of good things you can do for your heart to help keep it healthy. You’ve probably heard people say that exercise is good for your heart. It’s true! Jogging, playing active sports, and jumping rope are all good ways to keep your heart healthy. Another fun way is dancing!
Do you have a favorite song? Next time, instead of just listening to it, dance along to it too!
If you ever get dizzy or feel pain from exercising, you should stop and tell a grown-up, but most of the time, exercising is both healthy and fun!
