There are a lot of things that you can do to help lower your cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is produced by your body and is also acquired through food sources and the environment. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can lead to dangerous cardiovascular issues. It is essential to avoid high cholesterol for heart health and keep your levels at recommended amounts.
Check out this list of 7 causes of high cholesterol that may be present in your life right now.
1. High-cholesterol foods
It seems obvious that the food you eat can raise your cholesterol, but this is especially true if you have a diet high in saturated fat. Saturated fat is found in animal products such as meat, eggs, and full-fat dairy.
2. Trans fats
Along with saturated fat, trans fats can cause LDL (bad) cholesterol levels to rise while lowering HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Some trans fat is naturally occurring in animal products, but many food manufacturers add trans fats to packaged foods such as margarine and cookies to increase shelf life.
3. Weight and diet
Weight gain can lead to high cholesterol — especially if you gain weight around your waist. Excess abdominal fat causes inflammation throughout your body, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. Losing weight, eating better, and getting more exercise are great ways to get your cholesterol under control.
4. Lack of exercise or physical activity
Lack of exercise or physical activity can contribute to high cholesterol by raising LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and lowering HDL (good) cholesterol levels. And it’s not just a lack of exercise; sitting for long periods has also been linked to higher.
5. Smoking
Smoking affects nearly every part of your body, including your blood vessels and heart. If you're looking for another reason to quit smoking, knowing that smoking causes high cholesterol should motivate you even more.
6. Too Much Alcohol:
Having too much alcohol can also contribute to high cholesterol. It can increase the levels of triglycerides, which are fatty deposits that are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. It also increases the level of good cholesterol. This may sound like a good thing, but having too much good cholesterol is just as dangerous as having too little.
7. Obesity
It’s no surprise that being overweight or obese can increase your chances of developing high blood pressure and diabetes — both of which are conditions that reduce your life expectancy. Being overweight or obese also increases your risk for high blood pressure, which in turn leads to higher rates of bad cholesterol and lower rates of good cholesterol.
It is more visible in people who are overweight, smokers, alcohol consumers, people having an intake of high fats and cholesterol foods. The number of causes may increase or decrease the level of cholesterol. Consult Our Heart Specialist in Patiala for better care and treatment. Some general precaution given by the doctor is needed for the control of cholesterol levels.
