Cholesterol – it is a fatty substance present in human blood. It is produced in the liver or enters the body through ingestion. Cholesterol performs important functions in the body. It takes part in the formation of tissues and hormones and protects the nerves, and also helps to digest food. In fact, cholesterol is involved in shaping the structure of every cell in your body.
You must have heard about the existence of good and bad cholesterol. Cholesterol is really essential for maintaining good health. However, too much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – "bad cholesterol" along with a lack of high density lipoproteins (HDL) – "good cholesterol" can cause heart disease and strokes.
To avoid such serious problems, it is necessary to maintain a healthy balance of bad and good cholesterol in the blood.
Effects of good and bad cholesterol on the body
How to determine the proper ratio of bad and good cholesterol in the blood? You cannot do this on your own, you need to see a doctor. Then, in order to lower or increase the level of the corresponding cholesterol in the blood, you will need to take appropriate measures.
High-density lipoprotein, aka "good cholesterol". The benefit of this cholesterol is that it carries the bad cholesterol back to the liver. Thus, it removes bad cholesterol from the bloodstream.
Low Density Lipoprotein – it's "bad" cholesterol. The higher the level, the higher the risk of a heart attack. When the level of bad cholesterol rises, excessive amounts of it can accumulate and stick to the walls of the arteries in the form of cholesterol plaques. They cause hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
If cholesterol plaques break off, they can lead to the formation of a blood clot that clogs an artery and causes a heart attack or stroke.
Increased total cholesterol – it's not necessarily a bad thing
The cholesterol test gives you a total LDL and HDL reading. Elevated total cholesterol can be the result of high levels of bad or good cholesterol, so it does not always indicate a danger to the body. The reason for the experience is precisely the elevated level of LDL – bad cholesterol.
What are triglycerides
Triglycerides – this is another form of manifestation of fat in the blood. Just like LDL and HDL, your body produces triglycerides and gets them from food. Elevated triglyceride levels in the blood may be due to eating a lot of trans fats and saturated fats, or eating more calories than your body can burn.
How Dangerous Is High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke, which are the result of a plaque breaking off and forming a blood clot that blocks an artery in the heart or brain. As a result of preventing proper blood flow in the coronary arteries, chest pain occurs – angina, which is a typical symptom of coronary insufficiency.
How to manage high blood cholesterol levels?
- You can increase your good cholesterol levels and therefore lower your bad cholesterol levels with regular aerobic exercise. Exercise also helps relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
- Reduce bad cholesterol by eating foods low in saturated fat, cholesterol and trans fats. Such foods can be replaced with foods rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as salmon (omega-3 fatty acids). In addition, soluble fiber helps lower bad cholesterol levels. Margarine is also able to lower cholesterol levels because it contains plant sterols and stanols.
Medications such as statins can also help lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood. They also help lower triglycerides and increase good cholesterol levels. Statins reduce the risk of heart disease.
Estet-portal.com recommends regular visits to the doctor to monitor the level of cholesterol in the blood. Remember that proper nutrition and an active lifestyle reduce the risk of various diseases, including heart attacks and strokes.
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