As mentioned above, cholesterol in and of itself, is a natural function of human body. Every living being requires a certain amount of fat to exist. Like everything in nature, it o­nly becomes a problem when there is an imbalance.

The processing of fat begins when it gets absorbed in intestines. From there it heads to liver. The fat requires a delivery system to rest of body to be used immediately but also to be stored in fat cells for future use.

In order for fat to enter delivery system, while it is in liver it is split into two different types of fat, cholesterol and triglycerides.

Once this transformation takes place, two types of fat (cholesterol and triglycerides) are packed into vehicles for carrying fat to fat cells throughout body using bloodstream. These vehicles are called lipoproteins.

There are three types of lipoproteins:

1. Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL) 2. Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) 3. High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)

Under normal circumstances, bloodstream does a very efficient job of carrying LDL and HDL Lipoproteins throughout body.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance that presents itself naturally in cell walls and membranes everywhere in your body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones. It also uses it to produce vitamin D and bile acids that help to digest fat.

Where problems arise is when there is an over abundance of cholesterol in your bloodstream. The cholesterol deposited by LDL leads to a narrowing of blood vessels.

If this occurs, excess can be deposited in arteries of heart which could result in stroke or heart disease. This is called atherosclerosis. This is why LDL is known as “bad cholesterol.”

HDL usually collects bad cholesterol and takes it back to liver. That’s why HDL is known as “good cholesterol.”

Cholesterol is not o­nly cause of heart disease, but it is a contributing factor. Here’s how it works.

Ideally, working for an employer who offers non-contributory health insurance is what most of us would aspire to. However, that is not a realistic scenario.

Finding affordable, adequate health care coverage is a huge problem in our country right now. If you are in a situation where you require certain medications and have no access to reduced rates on prescriptions you can almost bet farm that you will be paying top dollar for medications you need.

When considering a change in employment, scrutinizing potential employers health care plan is a given. Sadly, many people look at everything about a new job except health care plan. Contracting a debilitating illness or becoming an unwilling participant in an accident is not something that anyone can foresee.

Life situations change and a health care plan that was adequate for a single person may not apply should he/she marry and even have children while employed. If their policy has no provisions for addition of dependents in future you can find your health care woefully inadequate. Take time to project what your future situation might be and plan accordingly.

One of most overlooked segments of our society are self-employed. Depending on age and dependent requirements, cost for individual coverage can be astronomical.

If you are self-employed or a very small business owner, consider joining a local association like a chamber of commerce, better business bureau or some other type of business organization. Many of these organizations offer access to health care that might otherwise be prohibitive on an individual basis.

Unless you are in a category considered as "low income" that would afford you access to social health care, you can plan on paying hefty premiums. If you have a pre-existing condition, your chances of obtaining affordable rates are statistically very low. But, there are some things you can do.

Some tips to bear in mind are: