Bad Cholesterol: Your Heart and Brain's Enemy!

Surely, you have heard the expression "bad cholesterol" and maybe this has worried you. In fact, bad cholesterol poses a real threat to your health. Scientific studies suggest that high blood levels of this compound raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. But don't worry! There are some ways of lowering the bad cholesterol in your body.

What is bad cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy steroid - organic substance - that exists in animal's body cells and fluids. It is an essential part of the membranes of your body's cells. It also has a crucial role in some vital processes in the body and also in the production of vitamin D3, bile, and some hormones. Some cholesterol is made in our body and some comes from our diet. Cholesterol is not water-soluble alone, so there are carriers for cholesterol in the blood called lipoproteins. Two of five types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol are LDL and HDL. One fifth of your triglyceride level along with LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, make up your total cholesterol count. LDL is a lipoprotein with lower density. It can transport its content of fat molecules into artery walls, collect in the inner walls of your arteries and attract macrophages. These deposits narrow the artery and hinder the blood flow. Calcification makes walls less elastic. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. Narrowing the arteries of the heart muscle may lead to complete obstruction of them by blood clots that cause heart attacks. In the brain, the same process occurs in stroke. In a reverse way, HDL cholesterol is considered a "good" cholesterol because it removes LDL cholesterol from the arteries. A healthy level of HDL cholesterol may also protect against heart attack and stroke.

How can you lower LDL?

Fats consists of fatty acids - saturated, monounsaturated along with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Your body is able to make cholesterol from fats. Therefore, the level of cholesterol in your body cannot be reduced just by limiting the cholesterol intake in your diet. You have to decrease the total amount of fat, especially saturated fat, in the foods you eat. For that reason, the first steps to lowering the LDL include a suitable diet and then a well-planned exercise. It means you must avoid cholesterol and saturated fat and have enough activities to use your fat intake. Cholesterol exists only in foods made of animals. The body (mostly the liver) can produce cholesterol, so there is no need to it in your diet. You must substitute saturated fats with polyunsaturated ones that due to their chemical structures do not easily change into cholesterol. Using plant sterols like margarine can lower LDL levels. Margarine, as today's acceptable substitute for butter, is made from plant or animal oils mixed with other components. Today, polyunsaturated oils such as sunflower and corn oil are considered healthier than saturated fats. Fishes like tuna, salmon, and sardines are good sources of polyunsaturated fat. With a suitable diet, you can lower LDL levels by up to 30%.

Moreover, don't forget to do aerobic exercises. It can reduce the amount of LDL and increase HDL in your body.

How does your doctor help you?

Doctors work with their patients to develop a strategy to bring down their LDL cholesterol by a certain percentage. The strategy used to achieve that percentage is based on your level of risk for heart problems or strokes. They take several factors into account, including cholesterol numbers, blood pressure, age, smoking, and use of blood pressure drugs. When that risk is determined, your doctor will then work with you to plan a special lifestyle including your diet and needed exercises. Moreover, your doctor may give you some medications like statins.

Keep in mind that, apart from fatty diets and lack of bodily movements, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are also important causes of heart diseases that should come into your account. Therefore, it is time to watch both your diet and figure and enjoy your healthy sweet life!