Cholesterol may sound like a grown-up health issue, but it’s something everyone should be aware of.
Let’s break it down: Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance found in all cells in our body, and we need it for producing things like hormones and vitamin D.
Our bodies make all the cholesterol we need, but we also get some from food.
Cholesterol can’t move around the body by itself (kinda like oil can’t mix with water), so it travels in little packages called lipoproteins.
These lipoproteins are a mix of fat (inside) and protein (outside).
There are two main types of lipoproteins: LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, and HDL, or high-density lipoprotein. LDL is often labeled as “bad” cholesterol because it transports cholesterol to tissues, including arteries.
Too much LDL can lead to heart disease. On the flip side, HDL is known as the “good” cholesterol because it carries cholesterol away from the tissues and towards the liver, which gets rid of it. Having low levels of HDL can also increase your risk of heart disease.
If too much cholesterol builds up in your blood, it can get stuck in your artery walls. This build-up, known as plaque, can narrow your blood vessels and make them less flexible, a condition called atherosclerosis or “hardening of the arteries.”
So, what factors affect your cholesterol levels? Some things, like your genes, age, and gender, can’t be changed. However, don’t panic if high cholesterol runs in your family—you’re not doomed!
Even people with a genetic predisposition can take steps to lower their cholesterol. Plus, it’s important to know that anyone, even younger people with no family history of it, can develop high cholesterol.
Now, let’s talk about things you CAN control.
Firstly, your diet plays a massive role in your cholesterol levels. Three culprits can raise LDL levels:
- Saturated fat, mainly found in animal-based foods;
- Trans fat, mostly in foods made with hydrogenated oils and fats like certain margarines, crackers, and French fries;
- Cholesterol, which is only found in animal products.
Of these, saturated fat has the biggest effect on raising your LDL cholesterol level. Diets high in these elements are a primary cause for high cholesterol, contributing to a higher risk of heart attacks.
Being overweight also influences your cholesterol levels, usually increasing your LDL and lowering your HDL.
Regular exercise can not only help you shed extra weight but also lower your LDL and increase your HDL.
So, keeping an eye on what you eat, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way in keeping your cholesterol levels in check.
Start these good habits now, and your heart will thank you in the future!
