WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIGH CHOLESTEROL

 

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is an organic lipid molecule and is biosynthesized by all animal cells because it is an essential structural component of all animal (not plant or bacterial) cell membranes that is required to maintain both membrane structural integrity and fluidity. The level of cholesterol in our body is a result of a process in the liver that creates the cholesterol. In fact, over 85% of our cholesterol is produced by the liver. The rest comes from eating animal products, such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy. However if higher levels of this fatty substance starts building up in your blood it can cause serious complications and increase your risk of heart ailments and strokes.

 

The body is an incredible system, and a healthy body creates cholesterol for a reason, since it is an essential material in our bodies:

1. Cholesterol is used to produce hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

2. Cholesterol is vital for the creation of vitamin D.

3. The membrane of every cell in our body contains cholesterol.

4. Cholesterol is used to produce needed steroids.

 

 

High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is one of the top risk factors for heart diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that high cholesterol contributes to 2.6 million deaths every year. Some of the leading factors that increase 'bad' cholesterol levels in the body include obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. High cholesterol is often considered an ‘invisible killer,’ as it typically doesn't manifest itself through symptoms, making it difficult to detect. New research, however, indicates that some bodily changes can be a warning sign that your cholesterol levels are too high.

 

 

When do you have too much cholesterol?

High cholesterol can be a familial disease but mostly it is acquired later in life because of faulty lifestyle and dietary choices. A situation of higher-than-normal levels of cholesterol can be worrying because it may build up in the blood vessels and cause coronary diseases, as well as problems with blood flow in the limbs. The normal range of cholesterol in the body is up to 200 mg.(chart follows) The standard medicine taken to treat additional cholesterol levels operates by delaying the enzyme that takes part in the process of creating cholesterol in the liver, so we limit the rate of building our own cholesterol. But is it logical for us to limit the internal creation of cholesterol without addressing the external source?

Type of Cholesterol	Anyone 19 or younger	Men aged 20 or over	Women aged 20 or over
total cholesterol	less than 170 mg/dl	125–200 mg/dl	125–200 mg/dl
non-HDL	less than 120 mg/dl	less than 130 mg/dl	less than 130 mg/dl
LDL	less than 100 mg/dl	less than 100 mg/dl	less than 100 mg/dl
HDL	more than 45 mg/dl	40 mg/dl or higher	50 mg/dl or higher

 

 

The tell-tale sign of high cholesterol

 

 

Patients with high cholesterol present with either Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) or
peripheral artery disease (PAD), wherein an accumulation of fatty deposits made from cholesterol and other waste substances block the arteries (atherosclerosis) and restrict blood supply to either the heart muscle or the leg muscles. CAD or what is commonly known as Heart Attach, can be life threatening. Although PAD is not immediately life-threatening, the process of atherosclerosis that causes it can sometimes lead to serious and fatal problems.  A critical limb ischemia, which occurs if the blood flow to the legs becomes severely restricted, can  cause pain, claudications, pallor, cold and numb toes, shiny, smooth and dry skin of limbs and gangrene with foul smelling pus discharging ulcers.

 

Sometimes, cholesterol can deposit around the eyes to form fatty, yellowish lumps. While they are usually harmless, these deposits sometimes indicate a serious underlying issue.

 

 

How can you speed up cholesterol reduction?

1. Nutrition will always be crucial when dealing with a surplus of cholesterol. Foods with a lot of cholesterol usually also have a lot of saturated fat. Saturated fats can make your cholesterol numbers higher, so it’s best to choose foods that are lower in saturated fats. Foods made from animals, including red meat, butter, and cheese, have a lot of saturated fats. The cholesterol one needs to get rid of is LDL (Low-Density Lipoproteins), which is common in these animal products. Instead, aim to eat foods with plenty of fiber, such as whole grains, oatmeal and beans, and healthy unsaturated fats, such as avocados, olive oil, soy and nuts. One of the best ways to lower LDL levels is by consuming foods rich in HDL (High-Density Lipoproteins), which comes from plants and is called Phytosterols. Phytosterols work in a similar manner to the soluble fibers in laxatives, and can be found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, soy, and whole grains.

 

2. Onion Extract - Several studies have found that onions are effective in reducing LDL (“bad” cholesterol), as well as your body’s glycemic level. In the Indian culture, we believe spices have healing properties, and onion and garlic are both very useful in lowering cholesterol, based on what we've seen in Indian cooking. It is not a miracle cure, but can definitely help.

 

3. Red Yeast Rice (lal khameer chawal) - As the name suggests, this is a type of red yeast that is grown on rice. This yeast contains monacolin K, a compound that doesn’t allow the liver to produce cholesterol, which the body needs to build its cells. When not locally produced, the body starts searching for reservoirs of cholesterol in the body and uses them. Taking red yeast in pill form has been shown to reduce LDL levels by 10%-30%.

 

4. Soy - A moderate consumption of soy products such as tofu has been shown to reduce LDL levels in the body, as well as occasionally having a positive effect on breast cancer. According to a Harvard Medical School study, drinking 2½ cups of soy milk or eating 10 ounces of tofu a day can reduce LDL levels by 5%-6%.

 

5. Alcohol - You’ve probably heard that a glass of red wine is good for your health, and the reason is that, even though it doesn’t reduce the level of LDL in the body, it increases the level of HDL. You can think of HDL as a drain unclogger for cholesterol. However, men and women under 65 should avoid drinking more than two glasses of wine a day, and those over 65 stick to 1 glass a day. However, consult with your doctor first, as alcohol can exacerbate preexisting liver disease, diabetes and certain heart conditions.

 

6. Indian Gooseberry (Amla)- This contains potent antioxidants that help the cardiovascular system. Cholesterol will oxidize in your bloodstream, becoming plaque, which adheres to the arterial walls and slowly clogs them. Antioxidants stop oxidization, preventing the buildup of plaque.

 

7. Pectin - Pectin is a fiber that can be found in the white membrane inside citrus fruits. Pectin can lower LDL levels by 7%-10% and works in a way similar to phytosterol and soluble fibers. Pectin is also found in apples, as well as in pill form.

 

8. Licorice Root (Mulethi) - This is only relevant for fresh licorice root or in pill form, as the candied stuff you find in the store often doesn’t contain any real licorice at all. A few recent studies found that licorice root can lower LDL levels, as well as body fat. Licorice root has many healthy properties but can have severe interactions with certain medication such as insulin, contraceptives, and laxatives. If you are taking any of these and want to start using it, consult with your doctor.

 

9. Laxatives - Some laxatives don’t just clear your bowels; they can also block the absorption of cholesterol in the blood. Laxatives that contain soluble fibers become jelly-like and travel through your stomach and intestines, collecting cholesterol and preventing it from being absorbed. The best part is that the laxative absorbs cholesterol from food, not from your body’s reservoirs, which forces the body to start using its own supply. Additionally, fibrous laxatives often help you feel sated and prevent you from craving snacks.

 

10. Sleep - Women, who sleep less than 5 hours or more than 8 hours, often suffer from an excess of LDL and absence of HDL. Cholesterol metabolism happens when we sleep, so getting too much or not enough will disrupt the body’s natural functions. Additionally, getting enough sleep increases your mental faculties, helping you control unhealthy cravings and giving you energy to exercise and move more during the day. If you are having trouble falling asleep, try doing these exercises before bed.

Role of medicines to reduce Cholesterol

Although many people can achieve good cholesterol levels by making healthy food choices and getting enough physical activity, some people may also need medicines called statins to lower their cholesterol levels. People who may need statins or other medicines to manage cholesterol levels include the following:

• People with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) or people with very high levels of LDL cholesterol. FH is a genetic condition that causes very high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels beginning at a young age. If left untreated, cholesterol levels will continue to get worse. This greatly raises the risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke at a young age.
• People with cardiovascular disease (CVD). People with CVD may already have narrowed arteries because of too much plaque. Medicines that lower cholesterol may help reduce the risk for heart attack or stroke.
• People with diabetes. Type II Diabetes lowers HDL or “good” cholesterol levels and raises LDL “bad” cholesterol levels. This combination raises your risk of heart disease and stroke.

 

 

 

If your test results show a small rise in cholesterol levels, you can start making immediate lifestyle changes to help lower them. For healthy cholesterol and good heart health, cut down on fatty foods such as poori, paratha, khasta, kulcha, bhature, meat, sausages, butter, cakes, and biscuits, and foods that contain coconut oil or palm oil. Try to eat more high-fiber foods, oily fish, brown rice, nuts, legumes and seeds, and fruits and vegetables. Be more physically active for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week. Cut down on alcohol and stop smoking. Visit your physician as it is imperative to get tested for high cholesterol so steps can be taken to lower levels. And if you are a known Diabetic or have heart disease or limb ischemia or have a family history of high cholesterol visit your doctor today.