Cholesterol Broken Down
Cholesterol is an important blood lipid that has a beneficial effect on our body when it is present in normal amounts. However, excess cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The ways to treat high cholesterol are varied but generally start with a heart-healthy diet that avoids foods high in cholesterol, continuing with physical activity, and watching your weight.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that flows in our blood and is regularly found in our body cells. It is an essential component of cell membranes. It is used to produce hormones and other substances that are essential for the body’s functioning. About 70 percent of cholesterol is produced by the body itself. About a third of cholesterol reaches our body as a result of the foods and substances we ingest.
When cholesterol levels in the blood are normal, the body works normally to process it, and no deficiencies arise in this regard. However, when there is an excess of cholesterol in the body, it will increase the risk of disease. The common causes of excess cholesterol are an unhealthy lifestyle, diet, and/or hereditary conditions.
7 Causes of High Cholesterol
Eating a diet low in saturated fats, trans fats, and dietary cholesterol, while eating healthy foods that reduce cholesterol, will help lower cholesterol levels.
Here are the 7 causes of high cholesterol:
1. A lack of exercise can contribute to an increase in cholesterol levels.
2. Hereditary conditions, such as familial hypercholesterolemia, also cause high cholesterol. Hypercholesterolemia is caused by a genetic mutation. This mutation affects the way the body normally processes cholesterol and doesn’t allow the body to clear cholesterol from the bloodstream in a good manner.
3. Certain medications affect cholesterol levels under certain circumstances. For example, birth control pills and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase cholesterol levels. Medications used for diseases such as diabetes or lupus can also cause a cholesterol imbalance. The same goes for those being treated for hypothyroidism or kidney diseases.
5. An unhealthy diet causes excess cholesterol. Eating foods rich in cholesterol is a common cause of excess cholesterol.
6. Cigarettes and alcohol have been found to increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
7. Obesity causes excess cholesterol in the blood. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight help reduce excess cholesterol levels in the blood.
In some cases, the doctor will be able to recommend lifestyle changes such as weight loss, exercise, and dietary changes, along with the use of cholesterol-lowering medications. Statins are the most common type of cholesterol-lowering medication recommended. The doctor will recommend statins if lifestyle changes alone are not enough to reduce cholesterol levels.
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