Reasons And Solutions For High Cholesterol

Reasons and solutions for high cholesterol are always being sought today, especially in western industrialized societies reeling under the pressure of a high degree of obesity and heart disease in their population. Millions of dollars are spent annually to seek the reasons and solutions for high cholesterol

Cholesterol is a molecule built around the cyclopentanone phenanthrene backbone and is used in the synthesis of steroid hormones like testosterone and estrogens. It is also the major constituent of cell membranes and essential for the synthesis of bile acids needed for the absorption of fats. Since it is needed by the body it is not a thing to be avoided but is its excess levels in the blood that causes disease.

Related: How To Lower Cholesterol With Diet

According to biochemistry high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol is responsible for the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of the arteries which supply the heart leading to a reduction of the size of the lumen of the artery with consequent fall in the supply of blood and oxygen. This is the major cause of ischemic heart disease.

Cholesterol is synthesized from Acetyl coenzyme A which is formed in the body from the oxidation of fatty acids derived from fatty food. It also formed during the passage of the glucose down the Emden Meyerh of the pathway. So here is the best solution for high cholesterol i.e. cut down on fat and sugar consumption.

The solution for high cholesterol lies in taking less of foods that have a high cholesterol content. like fatty cuts of meat, poultry with skin, lard, and certain types of vegetable oil, like coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils. Such foods have to be avoided and instead, foods with high content of starch and fiber are chosen.

Some persons have a special affinity for fatty foods. These include individuals who are addicted to ‘fast’ foods and persons suffering from mental disturbances which make them compulsive eaters

If you cannot cut down on these offending foods then you need to exercise to burn out your calories. It is always to be kept in mind that obesity is a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease. It isn’t necessary that you have to participate in strenuous exercise.  30 minutes each day of light aerobics like walking, jogging or cycling is enough.

Certain foods have the ability to lower blood cholesterol levels. One is oat. It is seen that consumption of food containing oats reduces the percentage of bad cholesterol or LDL. Sterols and stanols occurring in some vegetables and fruits lower cholesterol levels by reducing its absorption from the intestine. Olive oil contributes a lot towards health by

replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat. Also fish like sardines or salmon are rich in omega 3 fatty acids and lower LDL levels.

If in spite of all these precautions your cholesterol runs wild, you have to see a doctor a get a prescription for a drug lowering blood cholesterol.

There are many of these drugs available and are broadly grouped into. statins, resins, fibrates, Niacin, and cholesterol absorbing inhibitors

Resins—These bile sequestrants lower blood LDL levels. Some examples are cholestyramine, colesevelam, and colestipol

Statins—These drugs slow down the formation of cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. Drugs of this group include. atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin rosuvastatin and simvastatin

Niacin—This is also known as nicotinic acid and is a member of the vitamin B complex group. It reduces serum triglyceride and LDL or bad cholesterol concentration and increases HDL or good cholesterol concentration. This drug though freely available should be taken under a doctor’s guidance as it may produce untoward side effects.

Fibrates-These agents lower cholesterol by reducing the number of triglycerides in your bloodstream and increasing the level of good cholesterol or HDL. Examples of this class of drugs include fenofibrate and gemfibrozil

Cholesterol absorption inhibitor.—These chemicals are usually given in combination with statins and lower the rate of absorption of cholesterol across the intestinal mucus membrane…Ezetimibe is an example of this class of medicine.

Keeping all the reasons and solutions for high cholesterol in mind you should adjust your lifestyle so that your blood cholesterol level remains low. After all –“Health is wealth”