Good cholesterol and bad cholesterol
In case you believe that cholesterol is in every sense bad, you are wrong. It is essential for life. Our cells are covered with a cholesterol-rich membrane. It is necessary for the synthesis of certain hormones. Dr. Jaideep Menon, Consultant, Adult Cardiology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi explains, “Cholesterol is measured in small parts called LDL (low-density lipoprotein), HDL (high-density lipoprotein) , VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) and Triglycerides. Each of these also has appendages with varying degrees of atherosclerosis (the possibility of developing atheroma or blocks in the vessels). Among the cholesterol fractions, HDL is considered good cholesterol or protective cholesterol and LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides are bad cholesterol. The absolute value of cholesterol that can be considered normal depends on age and the presence of other risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, tobacco use, or family history of heart disease. Cardiovascular risk is also assessed from the ratio of LDL to HDL, which should be less than 3.5 and ideally less than 2.5”.
What leads to bad cholesterol accumulation?
The way the human body works is amazing. The human body stores excess nutrients in the form of glycogen or cholesterol. Food that has not been burned will be converted into cholesterol by the liver and stored. Excess cholesterol tends to build up in the walls of arteries, which over a long period of time develops into a mass (atherosclerosis).
Dr Ankur Phatarpekar, Interventional Cardiologist and Structural Cardiologist at Symbiosis Hospital, Mumbai, “High cholesterol may not appear without any signs and symptoms, so it is important It is important to check your cholesterol levels regularly. It should be part of a routine physical exam. However, there may be some symptoms and signs that may be seen in some people that indicate cholesterol levels in the body such as swelling on the elbows, knuckles and skin links, especially below. your eyes, but they may or may not be in everyone, so it’s a good idea to get checked out regularly. ”
“Sometimes cholesterol builds up on the eyelids in the form of yellow bulges (xanthelasma) and certain genetic causes of high cholesterol such as hypercholesterolemia and familial hypertriglyceridemia, it can be,” adds Dr. Menon. deposited on the tendons of the knee and elbow in the form of xanthomas.
Since elevated cholesterol tends not to cause symptoms unlike diabetes and hypertension, it is often overlooked with dire consequences.
Who is at risk of developing cholesterol-related complications?
Dr. Phatarpekar explains, “Some people have a familial tendency to develop high cholesterol, and this makes them more susceptible to heart disease at a very young age. So, whenever you have a family history of high cholesterol, it’s a good idea to get regular check-ups. Some school data even suggest that Indian children can develop high cholesterol in their teens. This is largely related to bad lifestyle and less healthy habits.
No gender is immune to cholesterol deficiency, but it is slightly more common in men than in premenopausal women. So gender cannot be a risk modifier in the case of cholesterol.”
Steps to manage cholesterol
Burning down whatever one eats through physical activity and exercise will definitely help prevent cholesterol from rising because 65-70% of cholesterol is actually synthesized in the liver. Avoiding a diet high in calories and red meats, adding lots of green vegetables and fruits to your diet, avoiding deep fried foods and breads, etc. will help prevent high cholesterol. Nuts like cashews, walnuts and almonds in limited amounts are reported to increase good cholesterol with the added benefit of antioxidants that help prevent atherosclerosis.
The risk of atherosclerosis due to high cholesterol is directly related to the presence or absence of other concomitant risk factors, eating habits, sedentary habits, stress level, etc. having high cholesterol as men, especially after menopause, and from age 55 have as much risk of heart disease as men.
Diabetics need to keep their cholesterol levels lower than normal. So for most diabetics, whenever they check their sugar every three to six months, they also need to check their cholesterol levels because diabetes is a loss. Other hormonal balance can trigger cholesterol levels in the body, even thyroid gland can raise cholesterol abnormally.
