Are you dealing with high cholesterol levels for longer? That’s okay. If you notice it on the cholesterol monitor at home recently, don’t panic. Just a few lifestyle changes can help you combat it easily, making it normal. Let’s help you with the causes and risks of cholesterol and more about making you healthier. It may be due to many reasons like poor diet, smoking, genetics, etc.
What Is Cholesterol?
Typically, cholesterol is a type of lipid in the body that is a waxy and fat-like substance produced naturally in the liver. It is important for forming cell membranes, certain hormones, and even vitamin D. It doesn’t dissolve in water, so it doesn’t travel in the blood. Thus, the liver produces lipoproteins, which help transport cholesterol and carry triglycerides directly into the bloodstream. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL-low-density lipoprotein and HDL high-density protein.
Blood carries much LDL cholesterol that, if left untreated, can cause high cholesterol, leading to health issues, heart attack, and stroke. This issue rarely causes any symptoms, so timely checkups are important.
The Symptoms of High Cholesterol:
As said above, high cholesterol levels rarely show any symptoms. However, some too few people may develop certain serious complications or chronic health issues, such as heart attack or stroke. Therefore, regular monitoring is important, especially if you are an adult or older.
The Causes of High Cholesterol:
The ample of causes are as follows;
- If you are eating high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats.
- If you are obese, you are the risk.
- Lifestyle with inactivity and smoking.
- Genetics also play a crucial role in developing high cholesterol (rarely due to familial hypercholesterolemia).
- Health conditions; diabetes, kidney diseases, and hypothyroidism.
- Limited physical activity.
- Increased use of tobacco products.
The Complications with High Cholesterol:
If you don’t get yourself treated for high cholesterol, plaque can build up in the arteries. The condition in which plaque narrows the arteries is known as atherosclerosis. This majorly limits the blood flow through arteries, which risks developing dangerous blood clots. The health condition atherosclerosis can be life-threatening with complications and risks such as;
- Heart attack.
- Angina or chest pain.
- High blood pressure.
- Peripheral vascular disease.
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Bile imbalance risks the risk of gallstone.
The Potential Ways That Can Lower Cholesterol Through Diet:
To maintain your healthy cholesterol level, visit the doctor and follow the recommended changes in routine and diet. The doctor may help you with taking diet including;
Limit your food that is high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats.
You must choose lean sources of proteins, such as chicken, fish, and legumes.
Eat high-fibre foods: fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
You must opt for baked, broiled, steamed, grilled, and roasted food instead of fried foods.
Don’t take fast food, junky snacks, sugary, pre-packed available.
The Food with High Cholesterol Levels, Saturated Fats, and Trans Fats:
- Red meat, organ meat, egg yolks, and high-fat dairy products.
- Processed foods made with cocoa butter or palm oil.
- Deep fried food: potato chips, onion rings & fried chicken.
- Baked food: cookies and muffins.
It is noteworthy that eating fish and other foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids helps lower LDL levels. You can take salmon, mackerel, or herring (rich in omega 3s). Nuts like walnuts, almonds, ground nuts, flaxseeds & avocados also have omega-3s.
The Final Verdict:
If you are getting signs of high cholesterol or already have it, you must get a certified cholesterol monitor at home. The above measures and readings help you be careful when managing your health and balancing cholesterol levels.