The world as we know it is technologically and culturally transforming faster than ever. With the advent of science, the lives of people have been impacted drastically. Ironically, however, where most of us have adapted our work and other life aspects accordingly, we have also got used to caring for healthcare aspects least when it needs to be cared about most.  

When was the last time you thought of jogging in the nearby park on a weekend, or when you decided to try your hand at the favorite sport that you haven’t played for years? If your answer is ‘I can’t Remember’, then that’s what the real concern is. 

In order to tackle this crisis, we do whatever we can to take care of our health, but only at our convenience. However, not all information we gather is correct or appropriate.

Take the case of cholesterol for example. Despite being a leading cause of heart attacks and causing 2.6 million deaths worldwide annually, people are still surprisingly ignorant when it comes to cholesterol. So, here are a few overlooked facts: 
 
1. Cholesterol is good for you 
 You read that right! Cholesterol is a natural fat-like chemical found in all animals. It exists in each and every one of your cells and helps in synthesizing vitamins and hormones. Making up 30 % of your cell membranes, it is absolutely crucial for your functioning. However, high cholesterol levels can double your chances of a heart attack. So remember, too much of anything is bad. 

2. Genetics should often be blamed
We live in an era of self-improvement. People often corelate unfortunate conditions like obesity, high cholesterol and sugar levels to lack of exercise and bad diets. Well, research has uncovered that 75% of the time, it’s genetic and has nothing to do with lifestyle choices.  

3. The key is in the diet 
 Yes, it’s mostly genetic but that doesn’t mean diets don’t matter. Avoiding trans-fats and sugars help keep things under control. So be sure to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. 

4. Very few are diagnosed on time
Most people avoid scheduling a doctor’s appointment as much as possible. The medical community believes that after 20, an average person should get his or her cholesterol tested at least once in every 4-5 years. Generally, people wait until their levels have reached alarming levels. So, get yourself checked up regularly because prevention is better than cure. 

5. Exercise solves most modern problems
We were not made to sit all day and tap on buttons. We were designed to keep moving, but with technology we have embraced lethargy across society. Working out often works out well for your body. Just two weeks of high intensity working out has proven to reduce cholesterol levels significantly. 

6. The gender bias: High cholesterol is more prominent in women than men
In a survey conducted in the United States, it was found that women are likely to develop higher cholesterol levels than men when they cross the age of 55. Sadly, even the adverse effects of a heart condition, such as heart attacks, are more likely to occur in women than  in their male peers. 
 
7. Age is insignificant 
Do you think that you are safe because you are young? Guess again. Cholesterol problems may even arise during childhood and the likelihood of it reaching life-threatening levels increases with age. 

8. Cholesterol is in baby formula
Yup, baby formulas are rich in fatty acids because toddlers have high energy requirements and limited dietary intake capacity. Removing it from the formula causes malnutrition which may lead to damage of the central nervous system 

9. Extremely low cholesterol is perhaps more dangerous than high cholesterol
Low cholesterol, scientifically referred to as Hypocholesterolemia, is rare and deadly. This condition is often seen as a symptom rather than a cause, due to it being found in the secondary stages of such fatal diseases like cancer. 

10. Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa might have had a bad case of cholesterol 
Experts claim that this picture is one of the first recorded images of a person with high cholesterol. Yes, high cholesterol can be visible. In this instance, it was the yellow fatty deposits in her eyes and hands that gave her away. 

There are apps that can assist with analyzing body cholesterol and keep it under check by monitoring your everyday activity and food regime. One of the best such apps that are greatly helping in improving people’s cholesterol levels is ‘Cholesterol Down On The Go’. This app is available on both iOS and Android devices. Besides providing tips and suggestions on how to improve the cholesterol level, the app also prepares a personalized diet plan, in accordance with your physical requirement.