Cholesterol itself is not a disease

Cholesterol itself is not a disease

A fat-like substance produced by the liver in the body is called cholesterol. Cholesterol is a very important part of human blood cells.

Cholesterol is needed for healthy cells, vitamin D, digestion and the production of many hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol and aldosterone. The amount of cholesterol in the body should be appropriate for various physical activities. Having cholesterol in the body is not dangerous, but when cholesterol levels increase, the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease increases.

What happens when cholesterol is high? How to control it?

Why does cholesterol increase?

Genetic reasons, unhealthy lifestyle, excessive consumption of factory-produced foods, and people with heart disease and obesity can cause cholesterol to rise. If the amount of cholesterol is high, it can block the blood vessels and cause serious heart problems. This also increases the risk of heart attack. Therefore, it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle, to pay special attention to a healthy diet and regular exercise in order to avoid high cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol causes disturbances

Cholesterol itself is not a disease. When it is out of balance, health problems appear. High and low cholesterol is associated with long-term diseases such as blood pressure, thyroid, diabetes, and heart disease. Cholesterol levels can be disturbed when these diseases occur.

People who are obese are also likely to have high cholesterol levels. The habit of smoking will damage the arteries of the heart over time. This helps to increase the amount of cholesterol.

Cholesterol consists of various fatty substances, among them there are two types of cholesterol, good and bad, LDL (low density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein). It should be understood that a decrease in good cholesterol and an increase in bad cholesterol is a problem.

LDL is called bad cholesterol. It transports cholesterol from the liver to the cells. If its amount is high, it starts accumulating harmfully in the cells. Over time, LDL hardens the blood vessels.

But HDL is considered good cholesterol. It prevents heart related diseases.

Cause of high cholesterol

Today, because we don't get quality food like before, the activities inside the body have started to change. Excessive consumption of factory-produced foods such as Coke, Fanta, junk food also plays a role in raising cholesterol levels.

People who are obese are also likely to have high cholesterol levels. The habit of smoking will damage the arteries of the heart over time. This helps to increase the amount of cholesterol. A heart attack occurs when the cholesterol level increases and the risk of heart disease increases. In which one of the main factors, cigarettes are number one.

Similarly, if a family member has a stroke or heart disease, there is a higher chance of cholesterol increase in patients with diabetes or high blood pressure.

Symptoms of high cholesterol

There are no specific symptoms to identify high cholesterol. Doctors can give advance information about this only after examining the body. However, cholesterol status can be known through a blood test.

If heart disease occurs due to cholesterol disturbance and risk of other diseases, it is a symptom of heart attack. Cholesterol is like a silent killer. Its symptoms are paralysis and heart attack.

The myth that eating fatty foods raises cholesterol

There is a widespread misconception that eating fatty foods only increases cholesterol, which is wrong. Our body needs the right fats. On the advice of a nutritionist, you should identify the right fats and eat food with the amount of protein. Don't eat only fat because you shouldn't eat fat. Apart from that, drinks like Coke, Fanta which are made in factories. Eating such foods increases the amount of cholesterol.

How to control high cholesterol?

Cholesterol levels can be controlled if you eat a healthy diet along with lifestyle changes. For this, it is necessary to pay attention to some things.

-Avoid alcohol and smoking

-Exercise

- Do not eat floury food

- Eat less food made from grain

- Do not eat sugary foods such as sweets

- Take care if you have a hereditary chronic disease

-Include fiber rich foods in your diet

Cholesterol test

- The only way to find out the amount of cholesterol is a blood test. This risk is assessed and treated.

-When measuring cholesterol, HDL and LDL levels of triglycerides are checked. Everyone has a special role in this. It is especially good to have high HDL cholesterol and low LDL cholesterol. Even if there are other chronic diseases, it is checked.

Cholesterol medication

Cholesterol medicine should be taken only as per doctor's advice. Whether or not to take medication to control cholesterol is based on the risk of heart disease.

If there is diabetes, doctors can give medicine to men over 40 and women who have stopped menstruating, even if their cholesterol does not decrease much. People who are not at risk of heart disease should pay attention to their diet.