Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Cholesterol Levels
For several years, doctors have warned about the impact cholesterol test can have on one’s health. High cholesterol has long been thought of as only having a nasty effect. But it has many more insidious effects.
Because cholesterol is a lipid, it can make its way into one of the body’s cells and become part of its protein structure. This means that high cholesterol levels can build up inside the body, where they can start to affect how the body functions. This is because the cholesterol-based part of the body’s structure, called the lipid layer, is not just a layer of fat. It is also made up of cholesterol.
Protein is not just a random collection of amino acids. It is an essential structure of living organisms and contains the instructions that allow the body to carry out its functions. Unfortunately, at high cholesterol levels, the protein may no longer be able to perform these functions correctly.
Symptoms of High Cholesterol
The first indication that a person may have high cholesterol levels is their diet. The best way to know your cholesterol levels is to get a lipid profile test, which is a simple blood test.
An elevated cholesterol level can cause deposits to form on fat cells. This can cause fat to be released into the bloodstream and create inflammation. This is what leads to many other symptoms such as:
- Fat around your neck
- Cholesterol deposits in your liver
- Nervousness, anxiety, and lethargy
- Lack of sleep
- Cuts or open wounds that take longer to heal
- Fatigue
- Trouble breathing and palpitations
It Can Lead to Heart Disease
Excess fat in your body is the first place to look for plaque. If your heart disease is caused by plaques, the cholesterol plaques can be added to that plaques. When that happens, plaque builds up in the wall of your arteries. This can lead to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (the leading cause of death in the U.S.)
High Cholesterol Can Lead to Diabetes
When cholesterol is high, your body has a more challenging time making glucose. This can lead to high blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes. Therefore, it’s recommended that people with high cholesterol have a blood sugar level between 7-10 per cent.
High Cholesterol Can Be Just as Dangerous as Smoking
About half of people with high cholesterol are also smokers. Smoking can lead to deposits on your blood cells that cause plaque. So, if you’ve already developed a chronic disease, it makes sense to quit. Unfortunately, smoking also reduces the quality of life for people.
High Cholesterol Can Cause Other Heart Issues
A man with high cholesterol in his 40s has a five to six times greater chance of developing a heart attack than a man with no risk factors. Smoking and family history are risk factors that can put you at higher risk. If you smoke and have high cholesterol, your risk of a heart attack is more than ten times greater than a non-smoker. In addition, your cholesterol increases significantly, putting you at risk of heart disease.
Heart Disease
Heart disease has been the number one killer of Americans for more than 40 years. If you have high cholesterol, you are increasing your risk of heart disease, which can be treated by reducing cholesterol levels in your body. In addition, your doctor may recommend cholesterol-lowering drugs, which can help lower your risk of developing other health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Cancer
Cancer is another potential problem for people with high cholesterol levels. Researchers have found that high cholesterol could be a risk factor for several types of cancer, including breast cancer. There is also a link between high cholesterol and colon cancer.
Detoxifying Cholesterol
One of the best ways to detoxify your body is to eat food that doesn’t contain a lot of fat. Cholesterol is a fat-soluble substance that does not like to be in the body. If you eat fatty foods, your body does not have the money to eliminate the cholesterol. This means your body has difficulty getting rid of fat deposits. The resulting cholesterol can become attached to the walls of your arteries.
Protein or Healthy Fat
Instead of getting your protein from animal products, try foods high in protein, such as fish, beans, nuts, and tofu. Soy products, such as tofu, are a good option. Instead of eating saturated fat, choose healthy fats such as olive oil and olive, avocado, or coconut oil.
Reducing High Cholesterol
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following factors can lower your cholesterol. In addition to a diet plan that reduces fat intake, you can also try the following lifestyle changes.
- A healthy diet and a moderate exercise program.
- Exercising at least 150 minutes per week.
- Limiting or avoiding salt.
- Choosing foods with high fat and low carbohydrate content.
- Calming your nerves by practising yoga or meditation.
- Learning how to relax and relax more.
- Avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs
- Reducing stress and watching your weight.
It’s important to discuss your goals with your doctor and also to plan to meet with a nutritionist to discuss a specific diet plan for you. Eating less fat and more protein may be helpful, while an overall lifestyle change may be necessary. A low-fat diet will also be beneficial.
These lifestyle changes and efforts to lose weight will help reduce your blood cholesterol level. However, if you don’t see the expected results, talk to your doctor. They may have other treatment options.