Cholesterol itself is not actually bad. Cholesterol comes from two different sources. The American Heart Association says that 75 percent of cholesterol is naturally made in your body and the other 25 percent of the cholesterol in your body comes from the food you eat. Too much cholesterol in your body can cause adverse health effects.
High Cholesterol Features
There are two different types of cholesterol. The American Heart Association states that you have LDL cholesterol known as bad cholesterol and HDL cholesterol known as good cholesterol. The LDL cholesterol builds up in the bloodstream and sticks to the walls of your arteries, causing decreased blood flow rate. The HDL cholesterol acts as a carrier and takes the LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream and brings it to the liver to be processed.
High Cholesterol Effects
The American Heart Association says that high cholesterol is one of the leading causes for heart disease. LDL cholesterol forms a thick plaquelike substance in your blood vessels. This increases your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. There are around 2,300 people in America who die from heart-related diseases every day, according to the American Heart Association. There are no real symptoms for high cholesterol, so periodically visit your doctor to check your cholesterol levels.
Foods to Eat
The Mayo Clinic recommends that you eat foods high in soluble fiber such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Soluble fiber can reduce LDL cholesterol by helping to reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your arteries. Eat a variety of nuts every day. Nuts can reduce blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of contracting a coronary heart disease. The Food and Drug Administration recommends eating 1.5 ounces of nuts a day to help combat high cholesterol health risks.
Foods to Avoid
Do not eat foods that are high in trans and saturated fats. The Mayo Clinic says that trans and saturated fats raise the levels of LDL cholesterol and lower the levels of HDL cholesterol in your arteries. Trans fats are most commonly found in butters and processed foods. Also try and avoid red meats and dairy products that contain high levels of cholesterol and fat. Eating foods high in fats can also lead to other conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Considerations
The American Heart Association recommends that you exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Exercise helps increase your HDL cholesterol levels and decrease your LDL cholesterol levels. Try not to add other ingredients to your food that add fats and cholesterol to your diet. Talk to your doctor if you cannot lower your levels of cholesterol through exercise and diet. You may need special cholesterol medication to help lower cholesterol if you have a family history of the condition.
