High cholesterol levels in the blood are considered a risk factor for heart disease and Co. What other consequences can bad cholesterol levels have in the body and how can you successfully lower your cholesterol level so that negative health consequences do not occur in the first place? We have the answers for you.
High LDL can cause atherosclerosis
If there is too much LDL circulating in the body, the cells normally regulate this excess on their own and absorb less of the cholesterol. At the same time, the production of cholesterol in the liver is shut down. However, if the LDL content in the blood is considerably too high, these measures are no longer sufficient. The excess cholesterol attaches itself to the walls of the arteries, among other places. As a result, the vessels calcify – arteriosclerosis develops. The resulting circulatory disorders can lead to many other serious diseases, such as heart attacks. Since in the case of an increased LDL enormous health damages can threaten, one should always pay attention to its LDL cholesterol mirror. In adults, this should be below 160 milligrams per deciliter of blood.
Consequences of a poor HDL/LDL ratio.
If there is too much LDL or too little HDL in the blood, the HDL can no longer remove all the cholesterol molecules. These then settle in the blood vessels and vascular calcification begins. In addition to arteriosclerosis, thrombi can also form, i.e. deposits on the inner wall of the blood vessels. The consequences of both diseases are fatal, because from such coronary heart disease (CHD) often follows a heart attack. Likewise, pulmonary embolisms or a stroke can result from the thrombi. The so-called window-shopping disease can also occur, an arterial occlusive disease.
Total cholesterol
Normally, total cholesterol consists of 70 percent LDL cholesterol and 30 percent HDL cholesterol. The ratio between these two – the LDL/HDL quotient – is the atherosclerosis risk index. If this is less than two, it indicates a low risk of atherosclerosis. If the value is above four, on the other hand, there is a high risk.
Risk factors of poor diet and obesity
Improper diet and obesity are two major risk factors, as they can easily trigger “hyperlipidemia” of the blood. In addition, there is a lack of exercise and hereditary factors that alter fat metabolism, as well as thyroid disease. All these factors, via the deterioration of blood lipids, increase the risk of being affected by the above diseases.
Lowering cholesterol levels
To lower elevated cholesterol, there are two options: One is to curb the intake of dietary cholesterol, and the other is to inhibit the body’s own production. The former is easier to achieve and also completely harmless. The human body can provide for its own cholesterol supply completely on the basis of its own production, so that a deficiency disease is not to be feared here. By skillful, tasty and consistent change of the nourishing habits much can be done. However, if one wants to limit the body’s own production of cholesterol, medication must be resorted to.
Change diet – what should I pay attention to?
Cholesterol is, firstly, only found in animal foods. Secondly, it occurs there naturally more increased, the more fatty the food is. A notorious cholesterol bomb is, for example, the chicken egg, although only the yolk contains cholesterol. One egg already contains as much cholesterol as the maximum recommended daily dose. In addition, there are “hidden” eggs, which can be found in pasta and baked goods, for example. Milk (and therefore also butter) is also an animal food and contains a lot of cholesterol. Using lean dairy products can help. Seafood such as shrimp are also true cholesterol bombs, and should be eaten in moderation.
Foods containing cholesterol
To keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range, it is better to avoid these foods or enjoy them only in moderation:
- Fatty, red meat
- Crustaceans and shellfish
- Sausage with high fat content
- Dairy products with high fat content
- Fast food and ready meals
- Sweets
But: whether the cholesterol from foods such as eggs can affect blood cholesterol levels at all, is scientifically disputed. For the cholesterol level much more decisive is the entire diet. But individual predisposition also plays a significant role.
This can help to lower the cholesterol level
In principle, it is recommended to eat a high-fiber and low-fat diet if blood lipid levels are above normal. A predominantly Mediterranean diet with plenty of vegetables is strongly advised. Regular moderate exercise (walking, swimming, cycling), also helps to permanently lower cholesterol levels.
What happens during drug therapy?
If nothing else helps, drugs that are supposed to “straighten out” the fat balance of the blood can also be used. But even with this, you can’t opt out of changing your diet, because drug therapy is an adjunct at best. As free-selling medicaments there are in the pharmacy such, which contain artichoke extracts. These are said to lower LDL and increase HDL, and also increase bile flow so that more cholesterol is consumed overall. Garlic is also said to have a cholesterol-lowering effect, and corresponding preparations are available in pharmacies. However, the effect of such herbal preparations is scientifically disputed. In addition, there are still drugs that the doctor must prescribe. In any case, if blood lipid levels are poor, one should ask a doctor for advice.
