TV ads, health headlines, and even well-meaning friends and family regularly warn us about the dangers of cholesterol. While it’s true that high cholesterol can be a health risk, there is a lot of misinformation out there about this important topic. Let’s take a closer look at some myths and facts about cholesterol.
Myth: Cholesterol is always bad for you
Fact: Cholesterol is a type of fat found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but too much cholesterol can lead to heart disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is “good” cholesterol because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in your arteries and lead to heart disease.
A good level of HDL cholesterol is 60 mg/dL or higher and the best level for HDL is 60 mg/dL or lower. A dangerous level of LDL cholesterol is 100 mg/dL or higher. The ideal total cholesterol level is less than 200 mg/dL.
Myth: Avoid all foods that contain cholesterol
Fact: Your body needs cholesterol to function properly, so you don’t need to avoid all foods that contain it. In fact, dietary cholesterol has very little impact on the cholesterol levels in your blood. Saturated and trans fats are much more likely to raise your LDL cholesterol levels than dietary cholesterol.
Myth: If you have high cholesterol, you’ll have symptoms
Fact: High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms, so you may not know you have it. The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to get your cholesterol levels checked by a healthcare provider.
Myth: You can lower your cholesterol with supplements
Fact: There is no evidence that supplements can lower cholesterol. In fact, some supplements may even be harmful. The best way to lower your cholesterol is to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise.
Your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes and cholesterol-lowering medications if you have high cholesterol. Making healthy choices can help you prevent or manage health conditions like high cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke.
How Does Your Body Make Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that’s found in all the cells in your body. Your body needs cholesterol to:
- Build healthy cells - cholesterol is a building block of cell membranes
- Produce certain hormones - cholesterol is converted into vitamin D and some hormones, like estrogen and testosterone
- Aid digestion - cholesterol helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins
You make about 75% of the cholesterol in your body. The other 25% comes from the food you eat.
Your liver produces cholesterol from the fat in your diet and other substances in your body, such as hormones. Your liver also helps remove cholesterol from your blood.
What Causes High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol occurs when you have too much cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is a type of fat that can build up in your arteries and lead to heart disease. High cholesterol rarely causes symptoms, so you may not know you have it. The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to get your cholesterol levels checked by a healthcare provider.
- Eating a diet high in saturated and trans fats
- Being overweight or obese
- Having diabetes
- Family history of high cholesterol
- Smoking cigarettes
- Age - as you get older, your LDL cholesterol level rises
- Gender - men have higher LDL levels than women
If you have high cholesterol, you're not alone; the CDC reports more than 93 million U.S. adults have a total cholesterol level of over 200mg/dL, and over 27 million people 19 and older have levels higher than 240mg/dL, and it's not only adults; about 7% of children aged 6-19 also have high cholesterol. Making healthy choices can help you prevent or manage health conditions like high cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke.
What Are the Complications of High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for several serious health conditions, so it’s important to check your cholesterol levels and take steps to keep your cholesterol in check. High cholesterol can lead to:
Atherosclerosis
This is a condition that occurs when plaque builds up in your arteries and the narrowing of arteries. Atherosclerosis can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions.
Peripheral artery disease
Also known as PAD, it's a condition that occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to your limbs.
Heart disease
Heart disease is a condition that occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. It can lead to a heart attack and other serious health conditions.
Stroke
Strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the blood supply to your brain, which can cause permanent damage and even death.
Making healthy choices can help you prevent or manage health conditions like high cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke.
How is High Cholesterol Diagnosed?
The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to get your cholesterol levels checked by a healthcare provider. A simple blood test can measure your cholesterol levels. Your healthcare provider will interpret your test results and let you know if your cholesterol levels are high.
What are the Treatment Options for High Cholesterol?
Your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes and cholesterol-lowering medications if you have high cholesterol. Making healthy choices can help you prevent or manage health conditions like high cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke. Here are some ways to lower cholesterol to a normal range:
Lifestyle changes:
Several lifestyle changes can help lower your cholesterol levels:
Eat a nutritious diet:
A diet low in saturated and trans fats and high in fiber can help lower your cholesterol levels, as well as avoiding/limiting processed foods. Foods like fish, nuts, and plant oils are excellent sources of unsaturated fats, which can help lower your cholesterol levels.
Exercise:
Regular exercise can help lower your cholesterol levels and improve your overall health. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise most days of the week to increase your HDL (the good cholesterol!). If you're new to exercise, you can start by adding 10 minutes of physical activity to your daily routine.
Maintain a healthy weight:
Being overweight or obese can increase your cholesterol levels. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight can help lower your cholesterol levels.
Quit smoking:
Smoking cigarettes can increase your cholesterol levels and put you at risk for heart disease. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health.
Limit alcohol:
Drinking alcohol in moderation can help lower your cholesterol levels but drinking too much can have the opposite effect. If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
Medications:
If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to lower your cholesterol levels, your healthcare provider may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications. These medications can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels and improve overall health. Common cholesterol-lowering medications include statins, niacin, bile acid resins, and omega-3 fatty acids.
A healthy lifestyle and regular visits to your healthcare provider can help you prevent or manage high cholesterol and other serious health conditions. Are you experiencing difficulties with your current health insurance? Antidote Health offers you the option to access primary care either through Antidote Insurance or our Antidote Telehealth service, providing you with flexible healthcare solutions.
Learn more about the Antidote Health app and how to prepare for your visit.
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