High cholesterol
High Cholesterol - It’s all in your diet!
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that is produced by the liver. It is required for the proper functioning of the body and it helps to produce hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Cholesterol is found everywhere in the body.
The body needs only a small amount of cholesterol to function properly. Too much cholesterol in the body is harmful as it goes and settles in the walls of arteries and causes heart diseases.
There are two types of cholesterol in the body: low-density lipoprotein (bad) and high-density lipoprotein (good). When there is a high level of LDL and triglycerides in the body, the condition is known as having high cholesterol.
It is important to follow a balanced diet if one is suffering from high cholesterol. It is easy to control high cholesterol if you eat the right food, avoid certain foods, and follow a diet plan.
High Cholesterol Food:
If a person has high cholesterol, he/she can lower it, or control it, by eating the right kind of food. There is a food list that you can follow to control your high cholesterol: Foods that are rich in soluble fiber help in lowering LDL cholesterol without affecting the good (HDL) cholesterol. Oatmeal and bran are foods that have a high content of soluble fiber. Fish, which is a good source of protein and Omega 3 fatty acid, lowers LDL cholesterol and increases HDL cholesterol. Nuts, whic are high in fiber, phytonutrients, antioxidants and vitamins, are helpful in lowering LDL. Foods rich in plant sterols like margarine, orange juice, salad dressings help to lower the LDL level by as much as 10%. Soy should always be included as a part of our diet as they have many benefits and help protect against heart disease.
No known symptoms of High Cholesterol: There are no known symptoms to detect high cholesterol levels in the body. Cholesterol levels in the body can only be detected by taking a blood test. Though there are usually no symptoms of high cholesterol in the body, it is important to check cholesterol levels before it is too late. There is no treatment for high cholesterol, expect eating the right kinds of food and taking regular medication prescribed by the doctor.
Some people, however, may show symptoms of high cholesterol, if they have a family history of hypercholesterolemia. The symptoms for this are cholesterol deposits that collect in the form of small lumps in the tendons of the hands and feet.
You may have high cholesterol if:
- You eat a lot of fast food
- Consume a lot of dairy products like cheese and milk
- You are a smoker
- Eat a lot of red meat
- Are not active with exercise
- Are overweight or obese
The levels for High Cholesterol are:
Total cholesterol - more than 200mg/dL
LDL cholesterol - more than 100mg/dL
HDL cholesterol - less than 40mg/dL
Triglycerides - more than 150mg/dL
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