Ask any Malaysian over 30 today about their cholesterol levels and chances are, you'll have these two answers: high, or borderline high. In fact, based on a 2015 Malaysian National Health and Morbidity Survey, almost half (47.7%) of Malaysians above the age of 18 have unhealthy levels of cholesterol. That's almost 10 million Malaysians!

In this article, we'll discuss the effects of cholesterol on your health as well as the ways to overcome high cholesterol levels and reduce high cholesterol with supplements.

So what exactly is cholesterol and how it effects your body?

At its basic form, Cholesterol is a waxy substance that can be found in your blood and in their respective cells. Cholesterol is mainly made in the liver while the foods that you ingest also produce cholesterol as well.

While we often hear the negative effects of cholesterol, it is actually an essential part of your blood system to build strong healthy blood cells. Cholesterol itself isn't bad - it is needed to form digestive fluids, create vitamin D and even generate the hormones your body needs to help your various organs to function properly.

However, having too much cholesterol is a major problem to your body, especially to your cardiovascular system. High cholesterol levels can cause dangerous accumulation of deposits on the walls of your arteries. These deposits (also known as plaques) will eventually reduce the blood flow of your arteries, causing complications such as:

1. The initial feeling of chest pains

When arteries to your heart are affected by plaque and face difficulty in delivering blood, you might suffer from chest pain (angina).

2. A sudden heart attack

A heart attack often comes in the form of a blood clot that is formed at the site where the plaque ruptures the artery. This blocks the flow of blood either or from your heart, and will cause a heart attack and death if not treated immediately.

3. A stroke

Similarly to a heart attack, a stroke happens when a blood clot forms from the deposits of plaque blocks blood flow to the brain.

What increases the risk of having high cholesterol levels?

1. Poor dietary choices

Cholesterol levels are commonly raised by consuming large quantities of saturated fats over long periods of time. Saturated fat can be found in many animal products. Trans fat are similar culprits that are found in many ready-made processed foods such as chips and cookies.

2. Obesity and lack of exercise

Compounding poor dietary choices is often the problem of high body fat percentage in the form of obesity. This often comes from the lack of exercise and having a sedentary, non-active lifestyle.

3. The habit of smoking

Apart from their varying negative health effects to your lungs, cigarette smoking can also damage the walls of your blood vessels, making them much more susceptible to accumulate plaque and induce angina, heart attacks or strokes.

Tips to reduce high cholesterol levels

1. Ensure your diet is filled with heart-healthy foods

With just a few healthy changes to your day-to-day diet, you can significantly reduce your cholesterol levels. For example, you can reduce your intake of saturated fats such as red meat and full-fat dairy products.

You can also eliminate trans fats found in processed cookies, cakes, chips and other pre-made food. Instead, you can opt for food rich in omega-3 fatty acids for heart-healthy benefits such as fish and seeds.

2. Exercise at least five times a week and quit the habit of smoking

While it may be difficult at first, you should try carving out time for moderate physical exercises at least five times a week.

Physical exercise, even in short intervals a few times a week, is a great way of reducing your cholesterol levels and strengthening your health in general. You can start by taking a brisk daily walk after work or playing your favorite sport more often.

You should also take this time to quit the habit of smoking completely to help with reduce your blood cholesterol level.

3. Try using nutrient-rich supplements to reduce high cholesterol

To boost your efforts in reducing your high cholesterol levels, you can try Stolle ImmNuPlus as an effective method to reduce your blood cholesterol back down to a healthy level.

ImmNuPlus gives you a hard-to-find complex bioactive factors that are clinically proven to improve blood cholesterol levels. It also includes various benefits such as:

• Over 60 years of research have resulted in more than 20 published scientific studies, 200 awarded patents and international quality awards

• Patented bioactive factors such as specific IgG, secretory IgA, lactoferrin and anti-inflammatory factors directly support the immune system by balancing immune responses

• Our exclusive milk protein concentrate ingredient enhances the immune effects 1.5 times

• Multiple health care functions meet nutritional needs of every life stage while also meeting the health needs of the entire family

• Manufactured by the largest dairy company in New Zealand, assuring the highest product quality

• Cow are fed year-round on all-natural New Zealand pastures that are scientifically managed, thereby ensuring the highest nutritional value

If you're looking to reduce high cholesterol with supplements, give Stolle ImmNuPlus a try

With Stolle ImmNuPlus, you can ensure your cholesterol level is always in check to make sure your cardiovascular system as well as the rest of your body are in their best shape! Try it now - download our brochure.