Posted by Fatima Khalil
Wednesday, March 01, 2023 01:03 PM
LDL cholesterol makes up most of the cholesterol in the body, while “good” cholesterol absorbs cholesterol from the blood and returns it to the liver, as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains.
While high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol can similarly reduce your risk. However, it is important that you keep your LDL cholesterol levels under control. Control Here are the things you need to watch out for.
Eat a diet rich in saturated trans fats
According to the UK’s NHS, the main cause of high cholesterol is eating fatty foods, not exercising enough, being overweight and smoking.
A diet rich in saturated fats, trans fats and refined sugars can significantly raise LDL cholesterol levels, while increasing the risk of heart disease.
There are some medications that can also increase levels of harmful cholesterol, and these include medications such as thiazide diuretics, estrogens and progesterones, atypical antipsychotics, beta-blockers, and some HIV medications.
Just as unhealthy habits increase levels of “bad” cholesterol, when it comes to regulating your cholesterol levels, you should limit some unhealthy habits.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person should quit smoking, increase regular physical activities, and also maintain a healthy weight.
Beware of these medical conditions. Keep them under control
Aside from lifestyle factors such as smoking, an unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise, an underlying condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes can also contribute to high cholesterol levels. Other medical conditions that can increase complications include obesity, kidney disease, and insufficiency. Thyroid.
And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), having high cholesterol in families can lead to high cholesterol. Some people have an inherited condition called FH. This condition causes very high levels of LDL, or “bad” low-density lipoprotein, that begin at an early age and which, if left untreated, continue to worsen with age.
