Cholesterol, a very common health problem nowadays, is faced by so many people and can cause great damage to the arteries, veins, and heart too. Cholesterol is already present in our bodies, both good and bad forms. But the presence of an excess amount of cholesterol in the body can lead to various health issues. Hence it becomes very important to maintain the proper amount of cholesterol in the body. But to maintain it or treat the problem of high cholesterol is not that easy, and it requires a lot of patience. Also, it is very important to know everything about cholesterol so that we all can act and take care of it accordingly.
So, to know everything about cholesterol, keep scrolling!
WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL?
The first and foremost thing to know is to keep yourself protected from the issues of high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance made by the liver that helps protect the nerves and make cell tissue and certain hormones. Cholesterol can also be entered into the body by the food we consume. And the foods that help in maintaining the cholesterol levels in the body include meats, eggs, and dairy products. However, the presence of too much bad cholesterol LDL can be bad for the health.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD CHOLESTEROL
HDL, High-Density Lipoprotein is good cholesterol and LDL, Low-Density Lipoprotein is the bad cholesterol. Suppose the total cholesterol levels are high because of the high levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the body. In that case, it may cause so many health issues, including the risks of heart stroke. But suppose the total levels of cholesterol in the body are higher because of the High-density cholesterol. In that case, it can even reduce the risks of heart strokes.
Triglycerides are also a type of fat that is present in the blood. The extra calories in the body get converted into triglycerides. This happens when someone eats more calories than the body can use. A lifestyle change can lead to an improvement in the cholesterol levels of the body. It can help to a great extent in lowering the levels of LDL and triglycerides and raise HDL levels in the body.
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Total cholesterol level- The average amount of cholesterol in the body should be less than 200 as it is best. Still, it all depends on the levels of LDL and HDL.
LDL Cholesterol levels- The levels of LDL cholesterol in the body should be less than 130 is best, but this also depends on the risk for heart disease.
HDL Cholesterol levels- The presence of 60 or higher HDL cholesterol levels in the body reduces the risk for heart disease.
SYMPTOMS OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL
It is very important to know about the symptoms of high cholesterol to be maintained if increased. However, there are no specific symptoms of high cholesterol. Still, some of them are there that can make you aware of the high levels of cholesterol in the body. These symptoms include-
- Yellowish, soft growths or lesions on the skin called xanthomas suggest elevated levels of cholesterol.
- People suffering from obesity and diabetes are also believed to have high levels of cholesterol in the body.
- Chest pain can sometimes also be the symptom of the high levels of cholesterols in the body.
- In men, the impotence may be caused by arteries affected by too much blood cholesterol.
These symptoms are not so visible in people. Hence, high levels of cholesterol can be discovered or uncovered by complete check-ups and tests.
CAUSES OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL
There can be causes of high cholesterol in the body instead of the liver because the food we eat also contributes to the amount of cholesterol present in the body. However, anybody can get high cholesterol, and there can be so many causes of it. Things that can cause the high cholesterol levels to include-
- Eating too many saturated fats.
- Not being active enough in daily routine.
- Having too much body fat or suffering from obesity.
- Smoking can also lead to higher levels of cholesterol and the building up of tar, making it easier for the cholesterol to stick to the walls of the arteries.
- Family history of high cholesterol also is one of the causes of high cholesterol levels in the body.
TREATMENT OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL
If anybody suffers from the problem of higher cholesterol levels, you must seek your doctors’ help. As the doctors prescribe the medication as per your risk factors. But besides the proper medication, a proper lifestyle change plays a key role in treating the higher cholesterol levels. The changes in the lifestyle can be made by doing regular exercises and shred some extra pounds if you are suffering from obesity or fat-related issues. Shredding about 10 pounds can improve your cholesterol levels and lowers the risk of heart diseases too.
Besides exercising and shedding extra pounds, it is also very important to inculcate the habit of eating healthy. Try to include green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish in your diet. If you are a smoker or drinker, you need to control your smoking and drinking habits at the earliest.
