Among Americans age 20 and older, over 100 million have total blood cholesterol levels of 200 mg per decaliter or higher, according to the American Heart Association. They are more at risk for some of America’s leading causes of death such as heart disease and stroke.

Estradiol is the most common form of a type of hormone known as estrogen. This hormone is present in both men and women but has most of its function in women. Estradiol helps drive the menstrual cycle and is also involved in bone strength and in puberty.

To gain weight, you must take in more calories than you burn through activity. While this may seem easy, the key to gaining weight healthily and without raising cholesterol is to increase your intake of healthy foods while remaining active and avoiding foods high in trans and saturated fats.