Cholesterol is a necessary evil. It is a fat-like, waxy substance mainly produced in the liver but can also be obtained from animal and dairy products in the diet. Considered a steroid, a lipid, and an alcohol, cholesterol has many functions in the human body that are unavoidable. Cholesterol exists in two types: good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. You may be wondering what all the confusion is about good and bad cholesterol. Is good cholesterol really good, or is it just a ‘not-so-bad’ form of cholesterol that isn’t as problematic as bad cholesterol? It is actually the first one. “Good” cholesterol has useful qualities and is not merely less “bad.” We need to understand the good and bad cholesterols to maintain a healthy body without high blood cholesterol. Bad cholesterol is otherwise called LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein), and good cholesterol is otherwise called HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein).
High levels of cholesterol in your blood, known as high blood cholesterol, can be problematic. It increases your chances of having fatal health problems. The primary risk factors associated with high blood cholesterol are obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise.
Obesity and Cholesterol
Obesity is now a common problem among all age groups of people. Being overweight increases your risk of having high blood cholesterol. Individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) tend to have lower levels of ‘good’ HDL and higher levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and triglycerides than people of normal weight. The presence of more LDL cholesterol in the blood is not good for health and can result in serious health problems. We should always be aware of the LDL cholesterol level in our blood. Researchers across the world have found that high blood cholesterol can be controlled by maintaining proper body weight, as obese people are more prone to high blood cholesterol. Family history also plays a major role in the relationship between obesity and high blood cholesterol. The risk increases if there is a family history of high blood cholesterol. People with more fat around their belly and hip area have a higher chance of developing high blood cholesterol. We should control our body weight to reduce the risk of high blood cholesterol and related health problems.
Diet and Cholesterol
Nowadays, many people do not pay attention to their diet. People of all age groups are fond of fatty junk foods. These so-called mighty junk fast foods increase the chances of high blood cholesterol and may lead to serious health problems. Eating cholesterol and saturated fat increases bad cholesterol levels in the blood. Research shows that the quantity and type of fat intake can affect blood cholesterol levels. Dietary fat, especially trans and saturated fats, can raise blood cholesterol levels. Replacing some saturated fats with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats (especially olive and canola oil) can help lower blood cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol, but it is generally not as important as saturated fat and total fat in the diet. We should reduce the overconsumption of fatty foods to avoid high blood cholesterol and rely on a balanced diet to keep us healthy.
Exercise and Cholesterol
Exercise is essential in our daily lives because proper exercise keeps us healthy and free from diseases. Researchers aren’t entirely sure how exercise lowers cholesterol, but they are beginning to have a clearer idea. “Lots of people, even lots of doctors, assume that exercise lowers cholesterol,” says Amit Khera, MD, director of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Program in Preventive Cardiology. “But until recently, most of us weren’t sure just what the connection was.” One way exercise can help lower cholesterol is by helping you lose or maintain weight. Being overweight tends to increase the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in your blood. Part of the confusion about the effect of exercise on cholesterol stems from the fact that most early cholesterol studies focused on both exercise and dietary changes, making it hard to determine which factor was actually making the difference. But recent studies have more carefully examined the effect of exercise alone, making it easier to evaluate the relationship between exercise and cholesterol. We should all engage in proper exercise and workouts to maintain good health.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned are the risk factors related to high blood cholesterol. We should follow healthy lifestyles to reduce our chances of developing high blood cholesterol. Sometimes high blood cholesterol can become dangerous to our lives. Modern dietary habits and lack of physical activity have made us more prone to high blood cholesterol and its aftereffects. By understanding the balance between good and bad cholesterol and making informed lifestyle choices, we can manage our cholesterol levels and improve our overall health.