High Levels Of Cholesterol Can Lead To Serious Health Problems.

[LoShiNi]

Your body needs cholesterol to make new cells, vitamin D, and certain hormones. Your liver makes cholesterol, and you also consume cholesterol with food. There are who types of cholesterol:

- low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (also called “bad cholesterol”), can form plaques on the walls of your arteries which can eventually cause a heart attack or stroke;

- high-density lipoprotein (LDL) (also called “good cholesterol”), helps your liver dispose of LDL cholesterol.



Increased levels of LDL cholesterol and decreased levels of HDL can lead to atherosclerosis, in which fatty deposits form in your arteries and restrict blood flow. Small parts of these deposits can break off and travel to your heart or brain, where they can cause a heart attack of stroke.

High blood cholesterol shows no symptoms at an early stage, and the only way to determine your levels of cholesterol is to have a blood test. Healthy people should get tested every 4 to 6 six years; people with known risk factors should get tested more often.

Risk factors include:

- being overweight or obese, especially if you carry most of the extra pounds around your waist;

- having high blood pressure;

- lack of physical activity;

- family history of high cholesterol;

- diabetes;

- smoking.


To bring your cholesterol to the normal level you should make certain lifestyle changes.

They include:

- eating a healthy, balanced diet – eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, 0% fat or low-fat dairy products, and lean meats, consume less saturated fats, trans fats, and foods high in cholesterol;

- exercise – at least 30 minutes a day is ideal, both light and intense exercise can make a difference;

- if you are overweight, gradual and healthy weight loss will dramatically reduce your risk of high cholesterol;

- if you smoke, it’s best to quit – it will reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and improve your overall health;

- limit your alcohol consumption, or stop drinking it altogether;

- if you have diabetes, keep you blood sugar levels in check.