Too much blood cholesterol in the body can lead to heart disease. The liver and cells throughout the body make all of the cholesterol necessary to produce hormones and other substances that keep your body functioning. The other sources of cholesterol come from foods. A high-fat diet produces excess cholesterol to increase heart disease risks, according to Medline Plus.
Plaque Buildup
An increase of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol in the bloodstream can narrow the arteries. LDL cholesterol can build up plaques on the walls of the arteries, decreasing blood flow to the heart. This results in atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and causes heart disease symptoms, such as the chest pains of angina. The plaques can burst and block blood flow, leading to heart attack or stroke.
Good Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol plays a good role in the bloodstream by gathering excess cholesterol and bringing it to the liver. The cholesterol leaves the body as waste. You need low levels of LDL cholesterol and high levels of HDL to reduce your risk of heart disease.
Checkup
Unhealthy cholesterol levels have no symptoms until heart disease begins. Have your cholesterol levels checked regularly during doctor visits to know your LDL and HDL levels and if you are at risk for heart disease. If you have a high cholesterol count, your physician can advise you on ways to lower it. A low-fat diet often improves cholesterol levels. Doctors can also prescribe cholesterol-lowering medication if necessary.
Fats
Fats that raise cholesterol levels include saturated fats found in animal products, such as meats, fish, poultry with skin and whole-milk dairy products. Coconut, coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil are among the plant foods with saturated fats. Saturated fats raise LDL levels but also increase healthy HDL levels, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Trans fats, found in foods processed with partially hydrogenated oils, raise LDL levels and also lower HDL cholesterol. Manufacturers use trans fats to keep foods from spoiling. Foods with trans fats include packaged snack cakes, cookies or crackers and foods, such as french fries, used for frying in restaurants.
Prevention/Solution
Limiting saturated and trans fats in your diet helps prevent the risk of heart disease, MayoClinic.com says. Using low-fat substitutions, such as low-fat milk products, low-fat yogurt or snacks low in fat, can help reduce cholesterol levels. You can choose lean meats and poultry without skin to lower your fat intake. Fish with omega-3 fatty acids contain healthy polyunsaturated fats that may help reduce LDL cholesterol and raise HDL, the Harvard School of Public Health says. Fish with these benefits include mackerel, salmon, tuna, herring and sardines. Walnuts and flax seeds also contain polyunsaturated fats.
