When you inherit high cholesterol, you have a condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia. This condition differs slightly from high cholesterol not inherited in the way it presents itself. While most cases of high cholesterol has no symptoms, people with familial hypercholesterolemia have cholesterol deposits on their body. Treatment methods remain the same, though. Natural treatment, such as dietary and lifestyle changes, are typically the first step of defense.
Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Familial hypercholesterolemia is a condition resulting from an alteration in the LDL receptor gene. This is responsible for clearing excess LDL, bad cholesterol, from your blood. Inheriting this mutated gene means you have high LDL cholesterol from the moment you are born, increasing your risk for early heart attack, explains the National Human Genome Research Institute, NHGRI. Its most prominent signs are cholesterol deposits under your skin that appear on your feet, hands, tendons, elbows, knees and eyes.
Diagnosis
Doctors use various methods to diagnose familial hypercholesterolemia. Upon physical examination, your doctor may find the cholesterol deposits on your skin. He may then order a cholesterol blood test to check cholesterol levels in your blood. Persons with familial hypercholesterolemia usually have a total cholesterol level over 300 mg/dL, and an LDL over 200 mg/dL, according to NHGRI. A healthy total cholesterol is under 200 mg/dL, while a normal LDL is 129 mg/dL or less. Genetic testing can confirm familial hypercholesterolemia by showing a mutation in the LDL receptor gene.
Dietary Changes
As NHGRI explains, the first step in treating familial hypercholesterolemia is changing the way you eat. This means reducing your fat intake to 30 percent of your total calories. You can accomplish this by reducing your consumption of beef, pork and lamb. Eliminate organ meats, egg yolks and whole-fat dairy products. These are all derivatives of animals; animals produce their own cholesterol and fat. The more animal products you eat, the higher your cholesterol becomes. NHGRI recommends dietary counseling with a registered dietitian. She can help you plan meals and adjust your habits as you make these changes.
Lifestyle Changes
Perhaps the most important change you can make is incorporating exercise into your everyday routine or to increase the amount of exercise you participate in. MayoClinic.com recommends 30 minutes of exercise each day to improve your cholesterol levels. Taking a walk or swimming laps are both good activities. If you are overweight, a risk factor for high cholesterol regardless of your condition, exercise can help you lose excess pounds.
Considerations
Many people with familial hypercholesterolemia require cholesterol-lowering medications in combination with dietary and lifestyle changes. Even if medication treatment is necessary, you must adhere to the changes you make. Medication itself is not enough. You must do your part, too.
