What Affects Your Cholesterol Levels?
Posted on 23. Nov, 2009 by Haman Oakley in Diet & Nutrition
Cholesterol is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Cholesterol can be good or bad for us. Since our body produces most of our cholesterol, it can’t all be bad. The rest of the cholesterol in us comes in the form of food consumption.
There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. People should know the difference between the two. If you have too much or not enough of either, your chances of suffering a heart attack, stroke or suffering from coronary disease are increased.
As stated before, cholesterol is completely normal. It is used to produce cells and hormones. Since cholesterol is a somewhat waxy, soft substance found in your bloodstream, if there is too much present, it puts you at higher risk for some illnesses.
As stated previously, cholesterol is produced by your body and consumed through food. 25% of the cholesterol in your body comes from the food you eat. The rest of it is produced by your liver and other cells.
The cholesterol that increases your risk of heart attack or stroke is known as LDL. This cholesterol has a tendency to clog arteries when there is too much of it.
Genetics play a role in your cholesterol levels. Your body may create too much LDL because of your genetics. The foods you eat that have high quantities of trans or saturated fats will raise your cholesterol levels. If your family has a history of high cholesterol, watching what you eat may not be enough to lower your cholesterol levels.
Your blood requires lipoproteins to carry cholesterol to and from cells because it cannot be absorbed by the blood. Lipoproteins fall into two categories. The first is low-density lipoprotein, or LDL the bad cholesterol. The second, known as high-density lipoprotein, or HDL is good for you. These proteins along with cholesterol and triglycerides are what your cholesterol count is made of.
Arteries start to clog up if LDL levels are high. The combination of high LDL levels combining with other material results in plaque build up in the arteries. Plaque hardens the arteries.
Heart attacks can be prevented by HDL, or good cholesterol. The downside is that if your HDL levels fall below the normal levels, you are placed at higher risk for heart attacks.
There are some common misunderstandings about cholesterol.
The intestines and liver control LDL levels. Diet and exercise will help but will not completely lower the levels to normal range.
Controlling cholesterol levels cannot be done by simply changing from butter to margarine either. Both are high in fat. Saturated and trans fats contribute to bad cholesterol. Making this small change won’t have an effect.
High cholesterol can affect anyone no matter how much you weigh.
Your health is in your hands. Ask your doctor about being tested if you are concerned.
No cholesterol foods doesn’t mean that the food is a healthy choice. Make sure to read the label. Many foods that state they are low cholesterol foods actually contain large quantities of saturated or Trans fats.
Just because you take medication for high cholesterol, doesn’t mean that you don’t need to watch what you eat.
Eggs are healthy for you as long as you remember to consider your cholesterol consumption from all the food you eat.
High cholesterol is not just a mans problem. Estrogen that is taken during menopause can actually increase your cholesterol levels. These levels increase naturally with age as well.
Don’t wait until you are middle aged before having your cholesterol levels checked. As a matter of fact, having it checked regularly in your early twenties is a good idea.
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