Cholesterol is a type of lipid or fat that is important for the normal functioning of the body. However, high levels of cholesterol can cause serious undesirable health issues.
While the body itself, mainly in the liver and intestines produces cholesterol, it also comes from the food we eat.
Cholesterol performs several key functions in the body. It is part of every cell membrane and helps maintain the integrity of the cell membrane. It is also involved in the synthesis of all steroid hormones such as testosterone, which are responsible for several key functions including sexual and reproductive functions.
It is involved in Vitamin D synthesis, which plays a role in bone growth. It also has a vital role in the synthesis of bile, which aids in lipid digestion.
However, although cholesterol is important for the functioning of the body, high levels of cholesterol can cause serious undesirable health issues.
High levels of cholesterol can build up in blood vessels, increasing the risk of strokes, heart attacks, high blood pressure and peripheral vascular disease. High cholesterol also increases the risk of developing gallstones.
Good and bad cholesterol
There are different types of cholesterol. These, he said, include high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides.
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Not all of them are bad for one’s health. High density lipoprotein is the good cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from the body, transporting it to the liver for excretion and elimination from the body.
Causes
Several factors can lead to high cholesterol levels in the body. These include lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diets with an excessive intake of the saturated fats found in red meat, dairy products, fried foods and processed snacks.
Lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol intake can also lead to elevated cholesterol levels. Medical conditions such as diabetes, liver and kidney disease may also lead to high cholesterol leveld.
Diagnosis
High cholesterol is usually a silent condition, meaning that it does not cause any symptoms.
It is mainly discovered due to complications such as a stroke, angina, heart attack or erectile dysfunction. Since there are no specific symptoms of high cholesterol, the only way to discover it is through a blood test.
Cholesterol is measured using a blood test called a lipid profile. It can be done after a person has fasted overnight or when there has been no fasting. Both fasting and non-fasting lipid profiles are useful.
Linked illnesses
High cholesterol is linked to several illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart attack, angina and hypertension. It also increases the risk of gallstones, pancreatitis and liver disease.
High cholesterol levels are also associated with diabetes mellitus.
There is a link between high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. High levels of bad cholesterol can deposit in arteries forming plaques that narrow and stiffen arteries causing the heart to pump harder, thus increasing the blood pressure.
Both high cholesterol and high blood pressure increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.
Risk factors
Smoking increases bad cholesterol and reduces the good cholesterol.
Several illnesses can predispose one to having high cholesterol. These include diabetes, hypothyroidism, liver disease, kidney disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing syndrome, autoimmune diseases, obesity, metabolic syndrome and familial hypercholesterolemia.
Prevention
Some lifestyle and dietary modifications can help prevent high cholesterol levels.
These include eating a healthy diet that is high in soluble fibre, limiting processed foods and sugars, eating more plant-based foods, regular physical exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
Foods that should be limited to reduce the risk of high levels of bad cholesterol include red meat, full fat dairy products such as whole milk, cheese, butter cream, processed meats, fried foods, fast foods such as burgers, packaged snacks, sugary drinks, pastries and desserts.
Foods that minimise the risk of high cholesterol include high fibre foods such as oats, beans, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein foods such as chicken and fish.
Other lifestyle factors that can minimise cholesterol include regular physical activity, quitting smoking and alcohol, stress management and having adequate sleep.
Treatment
Same lifestyle measures that can be taken to prevent or minimise the risk of developing high cholesterol can also be used to reduce high cholesterol. Additionally, there are drugs that may be prescribed to lower cholesterol levels.
When medications are required to lower cholesterol levels, a class of medications called statins are usually used.
These include medications such as Atorvastatin, Simvastatin and Rosuvastatin. These medications are generally safe but can cause muscle pains in some individuals. They may also occasionally cause abdominal cramps, nausea and diarrhoea.
If you experience serious issues while taking statins, please visit your doctor. There are other classes of cholesterol lowering medications but these are less commonly used.
Low cholesterol
It is also possible for cholesterol levels to be too low, although this is uncommon.
Very low cholesterol can increase the risk of heart attacks, cancers, strokes, anxiety and depression.
However, low cholesterol is rare. The focus is usually on high cholesterol, which is more common.
Conclusion
As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure.
It is important to prevent high cholesterol levels by having a healthy lifestyle and eating healthily as outlined earlier. It is also important to get screened for cholesterol levels.
The timing and frequency of screening will depend on individual factors such as family history and risk factor profile.
Consult your doctor for personalised information and recommendations.
- The information in this article is provided as a public service by the Cimas iGo Wellness programme, which is designed to promote good health. It is provided for general information only and should not be construed as medical advice. Readers should consult their doctor or clinic on any matter related to their health or the treatment of any health problem. — [email protected] or WhatsApp 0772 161 829 or phone 024-2773 0663
