Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your blood which is essential for the functioning of our bodies. The body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. Therefore it is important to have your levels monitored regularly, especially if you are over 40 or have a family history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
There are two types of cholesterol, LDL (which is ‘bad’) and HDL (which is ‘good’). It is the LDL type of cholesterol that we should aim to keep low, as this is the type that builds up in the inner walls of your arteries, such as the ones that supply the heart and brain.
High levels of LDL cholesterol are found in red and processed meat, full fat dairy, baked and fried goods and vegetable cooking oils.
However, eating fatty foods high in HDLs, such as oily fish, whole grains, avocados, seeds and nuts, can help to lower LDLs by moving them from the arteries to the liver for processing and extraction.
Here are some truths and myths about cholesterol:
High cholesterol does not produce physical symptoms.
TRUTH: Hypercholesterolemia belongs to the group of silent diseases, capable of causing damage without being diagnosed in time.
Only obese people can have high cholesterol.
MYTH: Although being overweight can increase the likelihood of high cholesterol, it is not a decisive factor. People with a strong family history of high cholesterol can often have a normal bodyweight.
High cholesterol increases the risk of other diseases.
TRUTH: The heart, brain, and kidneys can be severely affected if hypercholesterolemia is untreated, due to reduction of blood flow through the vessels supplying them.
Vegan or vegetarian diets help to reduce cholesterol levels.
TRUTH: Diets rich in vegetables will promote cardiovascular health. However eating lots of fried vegetables or processed foods will not!
Cutting fat from your diet is enough to lower cholesterol.
MYTH: Healthy lifestyle habits are required for effective control of hypercholesterolemia, fats rich in HDLs are highly beneficial.
High cholesterol can be a hereditary health problem.
TRUTH: Genetic factors are a common cause of the disease.
At Oval Medical Centre, you can clarify all your doubts about your cholesterol.