Cholesterol is a waxy substance which is found in our blood. Cholesterol is something which has been always referred to or labeled as “bad”, but cholesterol is something which is very important for our body as it helps in building healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase the risk of getting heart disease.
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In this article we will be diving into the world of cholesterol, discussing what it is, its functions, and the ways in which we can manage it effectively.
What do you mean by cholesterol?
It is a type of lipid. Which is a waxy and fat like substance that your liver produces naturally. It is one of the most important substances for the formation of cell membranes, few hormones ( like estrogen and testosterone), and vitamin D. It also aids in digesting food. Cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in water, therefore it cant travel through your blood on its own. Therefore for its transportation the liver produces lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoprotein and they are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
If your blood contains an excess amount of LDL cholesterol, then you can be diagnosed with high cholesterol. And without treatment, high cholesterol can lead to many health issues like heart attack and stroke. High cholesterol rarely causes any symptoms in the beginning. That is why it is very important for us to check your cholesterol on a regular basis.
Types of cholesterol
LDL cholesterol ( bad cholesterol) – it is referred to as a “bad” cholesterol. It carries cholesterol to your arteries. They carry cholesterol from the liver to all the parts and cells of the body. If the levels of LDL cholesterol are too high, it can create a build up or cholesterol plaque build up on the walls of your arteries. These plague can narrow your arteries as it limits the flow of blood and raises the risk of getting blood clots. These blood clots block an artery in your heart or brain and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) – known as “good” cholesterol. This cholesterol carries the cholesterol away from the cells and takes it back to the liver so that it can be removed from the body. It helps in preventing cholesterol plaque from building up in your arteries. If you have more levels of HDL cholesterol, it can help in reducing the risk of blood clots, heart disease and stroke.
How can cholesterol impact your health?
If you are diagnosed with a high cholesterol level it does not mean that you should be put on medication immediately or automatically. If your medical expert puts you on medication then there might be a lot of other factors which can influence the medication that they have recommended. But if you are not put on treatment the high cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. If this plaque keeps on building up then it can narrow down the arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. This is a serious condition which can limit the flow of blood in your arteries. This will increase the risk of developing blood clots which can be very dangerous for your health.
Atherosclerosis can cause a lot of life threatening diseases and complications such as:-
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Angina or chest pain
- High blood pressure
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- High cholesterol levels can also cause a bile imbalance which will raise the risk of getting gallstones.
On the other hand HDL cholesterol is protective in nature as it reduces the risk of getting a heart attack and reduces the risk of heart disease. It removes the excess cholesterol from the bloodstream which prevents plaque buildup.
Ways in which you can manage your cholesterol levels
In today’s time it is very important to maintain a healthy cholesterol level as it is very crucial for overall well-being. If you are someone who is dealing with a high cholesterol level then your doctor may recommend some lifestyle changes in your diet, exercise and even other aspects of life.
Your doctor can also put you on medication or other treatments if needed to lower the levels of the cholesterol in your body.
Here are some steps which you can consider in managing cholesterol levels effectively:
Dietary choices: it is very important to maintain a diet in which you limit the intake of foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats which are found in red meat, fried foods and processed snacks. Focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins such as chicken, fish, and legumes. Try incorporating baked, boiled, steamed, grilled and roasted foods instead of fried foods. Avoid the consumption of sugary, pre-cooked and packed options whenever it is possible.
Regular exercise: indulging yourself in regular physical activity can help in raising the HDL cholesterol levels and lower LDL cholesterol level. Try to workout for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Go for a walk and cardio which will help you in losing body fat and also high cholesterol levels.
Say no to smoking: excessive smoking can damage your blood vessels and make it very easy for the cholesterol to build up as plaque in the blood vessels. Quitting smoking can be one of the most beneficial things which you can do in keeping yourself and your heart healthy.
Regular checkups: regular cholesterol screenings are very essential in monitoring the levels and makes it easy for us in assessing the risk of heart disease. Whatever the results are please discuss it with your healthcare provider and follow their medication and also recommendations.
Medication: in a lot of cases, just changing the way of living may not be enough in managing cholesterol levels. Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed medicines for high cholesterol. They block the liver in producing more cholesterol in the body. These statins include lipitor, lescol, crestor, and zocor.
Home remedies in lowering cholesterol naturally
In some cases you can also use home remedies in reducing the cholesterol level without taking medications. Some people say that using certain herbal and nutritional supplements can help in lowering the cholesterol level in your body.
These herbal and nutritional supplements are:-
Garlic – supplements of garlic are believed to have a potential cholesterol-lowering properties, but there is no such scientific proof to it. Before using garlic, always consult a doctor.
Hawthorn – hawthorn can be used in protecting you against heart diseases and also can help in controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Both animal and human studies have proven that hawthorn increases the coronary artery blood flow and also improves the blood circulation in the body.
Astragalus – it is traditionally used in herbal medicine but lacks the substantial evidence for lowering the cholesterol level in the body.
- Red yeast rice – it contains a compound which is very similar to stain drugs and can help in lowering the cholesterol levels in the body.
- Plant sterol and stanol supplements – plant sterols and stanols are added to some food items and also the supplements can help in lowering LDL cholesterol. These are the supplements which can be effective and can be used as a part of a heart – healthy diet.
Ground flaxseed – flaxseed is highly rich in omega – 3 fatty acids and fiber, it may also contribute to cholesterol reduction. You can use these flaxseeds for sprinkling it on foods for a healthy heart boost.
What are the Types of cholesterol?
LDL cholesterol ( bad cholesterol) and HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) are the Types of cholesterol.
What do you mean by cholesterol?
It is a type of lipid. Which is a waxy and fat like substance that your liver produces naturally.
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