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Health Line: Control your cholesterol
Cholesterol is a word you may well have heard but never really understood!
To unveil the mystery, cholesterol is simply a kind of fat. It is made in our bodies by our liver and is an essential part of living tissue. Only when we have too much cholesterol in our bodies, can it become a problem.
Reasons for high cholesterol level?
A high blood cholesterol may be inherited, or may be affected by our dietary habits and lifestyles. A diet high in fats, specially saturated fats, may be the cause of high blood cholesterol level.
Effects of high cholestrol
Research has shown that high levels of blood cholesterol increases the risk of heart attacks. However, there are other risks too, such as smoking, lack of exercise, being overweight, drinking too much alcohol and having high blood pressure. The more of these things you can improve upon, the less likely you are to have a heart attack, though unfortunately, no one can guarantee anything.
Cholesterol and heart disease
The fact that your blood cholesterol level is raised does not mean that you have or you will get heart disease. However, it does mean that your risk may be higher.
The good news is that when you know your level, you have the opportunity to make some changes. So you may well be able to reduce your cholesterol level, and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Coronary heart disease is serious. Sadly, it is a major cause of death in the world. Not only does coronary heart disease cause illness, pain and disability, but it also kills. Fortunately, if you make some dietary and lifestyle changes, it is possible to reduce your risk of coronary heart disease.
Reducing blood cholesterol by healthy eating
To lower your blood cholesterol, the ideal diet is the type of healthy diet which has been widely promoted to everyone over recent years. It is suitable for the whole family and has four key parts.
1) It aims to achieve an ideal body weight.
2) It is low in total fat.
3) The small amount of fat eaten, should be unsaturated (vegetable or fish oil) rather than saturated fat (animal fat).
4) It is high in starchy carbohydrate and dietary fibre.
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