Table of Content
- General Information
- What is cholesterol?
- Normal Cholesterol Level: What is cholesterol normal level?
- Symptoms of High Cholesterol: How to identify high cholesterol levels?
- Causes of High Cholesterol: What causes high cholesterol?
- Medication and Treatment of High Cholesterol.
- How to Lower Cholesterol Levels?
- High Cholesterol Home Remedies: Folk Remedies for Lowering Cholesterol.
- Myth and Facts: Frequently Asked Questions about Cholesterol.
Many of us have heard that cholesterol is unhealthy. For a long time, doctors, nutritionists, and even pharmaceutical giants have convinced people all over the world that cholesterol levels are the most important indicator of their health.
In some countries, for example, in the United Kingdom, mass hysteria about this “deadly” substance has reached unprecedented proportions. People firmly believed that the most important cause of their diseases (obesity, heart problems, depression, etc.) is “bad” cholesterol.
Health food stores began to open everywhere, selling cholesterol-lowering products at not budget prices at all. Cholesterol-free diets became especially popular, which even the stars of the first magnitude adhered to.
In general, paranoia about cholesterol has done its job. Drug makers, food manufacturers, and nutritionists have made even more money out of universal fear. And how did ordinary people benefit from all this hype? How sad it is to realize, but not everyone knows what it is cholesterol, and whether it is generally necessary to do something specifically to lower its level.
What is Cholesterol?
We think that each of us at least once wondered how to get rid of cholesterol in the blood. Before we talk about the dangers of cholesterol for the human body, let’s understand the basic concepts and know what is cholesterol?
So, Cholesterol or Kolesterol (chemical formula – C 27 H 46O) is a natural lipophilic (fatty) alcohol, i.e. an organic compound that is present in the cells of living organisms.
This substance does not dissolve in water, like other fats. In human blood, cholesterol is contained in the form of complex compounds (including transporter proteins or apolipoproteins), the so-called lipoproteins.
There are several main groups of transporter proteins that deliver cholesterol to certain organs and tissues:
- High-molecular-weight (abbreviated as HDL or HDL) are high-density lipoproteins, which are the lipoprotein class of blood plasma, often called “good” cholesterol;
- low molecular weight (abbreviated LDL or LDL) – low density lipoproteins are also a class of blood plasma and belong to the so-called “bad” cholesterol;
- very low molecular weight (abbreviated VLDL or VLDL) – a subclass of very low-density lipoproteins;
- Chylomicron is a class of lipoproteins (i.e. proteins) that are produced by the intestine as a result of the processing of exogenous lipids (a group of organic fats), distinguished by their significant size (diameter from 75 to 1.2 microns).
Approximately 80% of the cholesterol contained in human blood is produced by the sex glands, liver, adrenal glands, intestines, and kidneys, and only 20% enters the body with food.
Cholesterol plays an important role in the life cycle of living organisms. This organic compound is involved in the production of essential steroid hormones (estrogen, cortisol, progesterone, aldosterone, testosterone, etc.) by the adrenal glands, as well as bile acids.
The normal functioning of the human immune and nervous system is impossible without cholesterol. Thanks to this substance, vitamin D is synthesized in the body, which is of decisive importance for calcium-phosphorus metabolism.
Cholesterol Level: What is cholesterol normal level?
It is worth monitoring cholesterol level for all people after forty years, regardless of gender, and especially for those who are prone to cardiovascular diseases, suffer from hypertension or overweight. Blood cholesterol is measured in millimoles per liter (abbreviated as mmol/L) or milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL).
It is considered ideal when the level of “bad” cholesterol or LDL (low molecular weight lipoproteins) does not exceed 2.586 mmol/L for healthy people and 1.81 mmol/L for those suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Average and acceptable by doctors cholesterol values are considered values in the range from 2.5 mmol/L to 6.6 mmol/L.
If your cholesterol level has exceeded 6.7, what to do in such a situation, and most importantly, how to avoid it. To prescribe treatment, doctors are guided by the following indicators:
- If the level of LDL in the blood reaches an indicator higher than 4.138 mg/dl, then the patient is recommended to adhere to a special therapeutic diet in order to reduce the cholesterol values to 3.362 mmol/l;
- If the LDL level persists above 4.138 mg/dl, then in such a situation, patients are prescribed medication.
In following table you can check the normal cholesterol level for all age groups. This table will help you to keep your cholesterol level normal.
|Human Age||Normal Cholesterol Level|
|Newborn Babies||3 mmol/l|
|From 1 to 19 Years||2.4-5.2 mmol/l|
|— 20 Years —|
|For Women||3.11-5.17 mmol/l|
|For Men||2.93-5.1 mmol/l|
|— 30 Years —|
|For Women||3.32-5.8 mmol/l|
|For Men||3.44-6.31 mmol/l|
|— 40 Years —|
|For Women||3.9-6.9 mmol/l|
|For Men||3.78-7 mmol/l|
|— 50 Years —|
|For Women||4.0-7.3 mmol/l|
|For Men||4.1-7.15 mmol/l|
|— 60 Years —|
|For Women||4.4-7.7 mmol/l|
|For Men||4.0-7.0 mmol/l|
|— 70 Years and Older —|
|For Women||4.48-7.82 mmol/l|
|For Men||4.0-7.0 mmol/l|
- Mmol (millimol) is the SI unit of measurement for substances (short for International Measurement System).
- Liter (abbreviated as l) is an off-system unit of measurement of capacity and volume.
- Milligram (abbreviated mg) is the SI unit of mass.
- Deciliter (abbreviated as dl) is a unit of volume measurement.
Symptoms of High Cholesterol: How to identify high cholesterol levels?
Signs of high cholesterol levels in the initial stage are not felt. It can only be detected based on the results of the diagnosis.
Clinical manifestations depend on the type of affected arteries:
Thoracic Aorta. The most characteristic symptom is hypertension. It is characterized by a persistent increase in blood pressure (140 to 90 mm Hg and above). For a long time, it is asymptomatic. With a long-term pathology, significant damage to the walls of the artery, the heart begins to work with an increased load. Patients often feel fatigue, heart palpitations, chest pain, left shoulder blade or arm. Attacks of angina pectoris or suffocation are possible. The condition is dangerous for its complications: heart attack, coronary artery disease, thromboembolism.
Lower Limbs. Symptoms of arterial damage are manifested by short-term pain that occurs during physical exertion (running, walking for long distances). The painful sensations intensify, it can occur even during a short walk. Numbness of the toes appears periodically. Partial or complete muscle atrophy develops, lameness, trophic ulcers, gangrene appear.
Brain. Excess cholesterol causes a lack of blood circulation in the vessels of the brain, slows down metabolic processes, which leads to deformation of nerve cells. Initially, the pathological condition is manifested by mild symptoms: recurrent headaches, tinnitus, poor performance, forgetfulness. With the progression of the disease, symptoms increase: the patient becomes aggressive, often depressed, mood becomes unstable, and speech problems may arise. The risk of developing a stroke or cerebral infarction increases.
Abdominal Aorta. The defeat of the arteries of the abdominal cavity disrupts the blood circulation of the kidneys, organs of the digestive tract, and the lower extremities. Symptoms appear when oxygen starvation of internal organs occurs, due to a decrease in tissue blood flow. The patient experiences frequent abdominal pain, suffers from excessive gas formation, heartburn. Also possible: upset stool, weight loss. If treatment is not started on time, the risk of complications increases – thrombosis or embolism.
Lungs. For a long time, the pathology is asymptomatic. The defeat of the arteries against the background of high cholesterol is more often detected at an advanced stage, when the first signs of pulmonary insufficiency appear: cyanosis of the skin, shortness of breath, fatigue, persistent cough, enlarged veins in the neck.
It should be borne in mind that the clinical manifestations of high cholesterol can occur against the background of other chronic diseases. Therefore, if any symptoms appear that indicate a deterioration in health, you should consult a doctor for advice.
External Signs of High Cholesterol
A high concentration of cholesterol, in addition to a deterioration in the general condition, diseases of internal organs, can manifest itself by external symptoms:
Tendon Xanthomas. Clumps under the skin are white or light yellow. Formed next to blood vessels on tendons, skin folds, palms, soles of the feet.
Xanthelasma. Thick, yellow fatty nodules. Appear on the skin of the eyelids.
Tuberous Xanthomas. Fat growths of large size from 1 to 5 cm. They are dark yellow, sometimes brown. May appear on fingers, elbows, knees, buttocks.
Lipoid Arch. Deposits of cholesterol deposits in the cornea of the eye. Has a white or light gray tint.
In rare cases, in the elderly, high cholesterol causes the formation of xanthomas of the stomach. They are lipid plaques that grow on the mucous membrane of the organ. They belong to benign formations.
Early gray hair is a symptom that at first glance is completely unrelated to excess cholesterol. Loss of pigmentation occurs against the background of atherosclerosis of the blood capillaries of the hair follicles.
Causes of High Cholesterol: What causes high cholesterol?
Cholesterolemia (generally called high cholesterol) can be caused by certain genetic abnormalities, but the disorder can also occur due to other disorders that interfere with lipid metabolism in the body. The combination of an improper lifestyle and metabolic disorders or the development of other diseases leads to a violation of the lipid spectrum of the blood and an increase in the content of harmful cholesterol compared to good. This is the cause of complications associated with atherosclerotic lesions of various vessels.
Eating foods high in saturated fat, trans fats and cholesterol can be considered one of the main causes of high cholesterol. These fatty and oily foods can lead to an increase in lipid levels, resulting in hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. Some of the foods that can cause hyperlipidemia include fried foods, processed foods, and meals that are high in oil, fat, lard, or cream. Cheese, ice cream, meat, especially red varieties, baked goods are part of the diet of many modern people, which is characterized by a high risk of developing cholesterolemia.
Overweight and lack of physical activity can also cause hyperlipidemia and cholesterolemia, especially if there is a hereditary predisposition. Old age is also one of the causes of high cholesterol. This is because the person in most cases is no longer as active as before. In addition, biological processes in the body change, this is especially noticeable in women after menopause.
There are following causes of high blood cholesterol levels:
- Long-term smoking;
- Being overweight due to overeating;
- Liver dysfunction, such as bile stasis from alcohol abuse;
- Diabetes mellitus;
- An excess of adrenal hormones;
- Poor diet (love of overly fatty foods containing unhealthy trans fats, foods high in carbohydrates such as sweets and sodas, and lack of fiber in food);
- Lack of thyroid hormones;
- A sedentary lifestyle and poor physical activity;
- Lack of hormones of the reproductive system;
- Hypersecretion of insulin;
- Kidney disease;
- Taking certain medications.
There are cases when the treatment of high cholesterol is prescribed with such a rare diagnosis as hereditary familial dyslipoproteinemia (abnormalities in the composition of lipoproteins). So how do you treat high cholesterol? It should be noted that the drug solution to this problem is not resorted to immediately and not in all cases.
Medication and Treatment of High Cholesterol
There are more than just medicinal ways to target cholesterol to lower cholesterol levels. At the initial stage, you can cope with the problem without pills. Doctors say that there is no better cure than prevention. Lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
Try to walk more in the fresh air, watch your diet and do any sport that is associated with at least small, but regular physical activity.
With such a lifestyle, you will not be afraid of any cholesterol.
If changes in lifestyle have not yielded positive results, then the doctor prescribes statins to the patient – these are drugs that lower cholesterol levels and prevent diseases such as stroke and heart attack.
In addition to statins, there are other drugs that reduce the content of “bad” cholesterol, which differ in their composition. It is important to note that both statins and other medications designed to combat cholesterol have a number of contraindications and, as it turned out in the course of large-scale scientific research, serious side effects.
Therefore, many people are wondering how to lower their cholesterol levels without medication. The first thing that comes to mind in this situation is to try methods of treating cholesterol with folk remedies. Traditional medicine is an absolute treasure trove of useful information, where you can find many answers to the question of what to do if high cholesterol levels threaten your normal well-being.
However, do not rush to treat “bad” cholesterol with folk remedies. Be prudent and first visit a doctor who will determine the cause of the ailment, as well as expertly explain how to lower blood cholesterol without pills.
How to Lower Cholesterol Levels?
It is reliably known that cholesterol can harm the human body due to the formation of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels. As a result of this negative impact, the risk of thrombus formation increases, which in turn leads to the risk of developing myocardial infarction, pulmonary arterial embolism, stroke and sudden coronary death.
Speaking about the harm to human health, experts refer to studies, as a result of which it was found that in countries where high blood cholesterol levels were recorded in the population, cardiovascular diseases are widespread.
True, there are also such authoritative scientific studies that say that not only “bad” cholesterol is to blame, but also other significant factors.
Therefore, you should not rush and think about how to lower cholesterol urgently. He is not the only one “guilty”.
In addition, the body does not produce anything superfluous and harmful to itself. In fact, cholesterol is a kind of defense mechanism. This substance is indispensable for the cells and walls of blood vessels, which cholesterol “repairs” in case of wear or damage.
Low cholesterol levels make blood vessels as vulnerable as high concentrations of this compound in human blood. Everything is not as straightforward as it seems at first glance. Therefore, it is only necessary to talk about how to lower blood cholesterol levels with drugs or a special diet if it is really necessary. In addition, only a doctor can conclude that a patient needs special therapy in order to reduce cholesterol in the body and avoid possible negative consequences for his health. However, you should not lose your guard, because cholesterol can indeed be dangerous.
High Cholesterol Home Remedies: Folk Remedies for Lowering Cholesterol
Let’s talk about how to reduce blood cholesterol with home remedies. It is possible to influence the level of cholesterol in the blood not only with the help of a special diet and medicines. In some cases, it can be extremely effective to combat high cholesterol home remedies.
The main thing is to visit a doctor before starting self-treatment at home in order to avoid unwanted negative consequences (allergic reaction, deterioration of the condition). There are many home remedies for lowering cholesterol.
However, not all of them will really help lower the level of this substance to normal levels. It’s all about the different reaction of the human body to certain folk remedies for high blood cholesterol.
The same method may be effective for one person, but useless or even dangerous for another.
Therefore, doctors are extremely skeptical about self-medication, even at first glance with absolutely harmless and centuries-old folk methods.
Still, it is better to be treated under the supervision of a doctor, who will be able to adjust the therapy in time to achieve the best result.
So, how to lower cholesterol with home remedies. Treatment with folk remedies is, first of all, the use of all kinds of “gifts” of nature, for example, infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs or medicinal vegetable oils.
It is allowed to use homeopathic remedies to lower cholesterol only in cases where you are sure that such treatment will not provoke serious complications, such as persistent allergic reactions. Therefore, do not overdo it with self-medication, so as not to harm your health even more.
Herbs to Lower Cholesterol
Proponents of traditional medicine claim that some medicinal herbs are as effective in fighting cholesterol as modern pharmacological drugs. It is possible to draw a conclusion about the legitimacy of such statements only by trying on oneself the healing effects of home methods of treatment. So, how to get rid of “bad” cholesterol and how to cleanse the walls of arteries with herbs.
Perhaps, it is this medicinal plant that can be considered the most effective in the fight against cholesterol. Dioscorea’s rhizome contains a large amount of saponins, which, when combined with cholesterol and proteins in the human body, have a destructive effect on the protein-lipoid compounds that cause atherosclerosis.
You can make a tincture from the rhizome of the plant or take chopped dioscorea root with one teaspoon of honey four times a day after meals, which, by the way, is itself included in the list of products recommended for use in case of cholesterol problems. The effectiveness of this homeopathic remedy has been proven by scientific research.
Dioscorea Caucasian will help not only to thoroughly clean the blood vessels, but also significantly improve the condition in atherosclerosis, reduce blood pressure, and normalize the work of the cardiovascular system, for example, with angina pectoris or tachycardia. In addition, the active components of the plant are used in the production of choleretic and hormonal preparations.
This plant is popularly called the Golden Us. Callisia is a houseplant that has been used for a long time as a remedy for diseases of the endocrine system, atherosclerosis, inflammation of the prostate gland, as well as ailments associated with metabolism.
The plant sap contains kaempferol, quercetin and beta-sitosterol. These plant flavonoids, according to the assurances of traditional healers, have a beneficial effect on the human body. To lower cholesterol, use an infusion made from the Golden Mustache.
To prepare the medicine, take the leaves of the plant, wash them and cut them into small pieces, and then pour boiling water over them. The golden mustache is insisted for a day, and then they drink the infusion, one tablespoon three times a day, half an hour before meals. Store the container with medicine in a dark place. This infusion helps to fight not only cholesterol, but also high blood sugar levels.
The healing properties of this type of legume plants are officially recognized by medicine and are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of various kinds of medicines. Licorice roots contain many highly active compounds that can help normalize high cholesterol levels in the human body.
A decoction is made from the root of the plant in the following way. Two tablespoons of chopped dry licorice root are poured with two glasses of boiling water, and then boiled over low heat, for another ten minutes, while constantly stirring.
The resulting broth is filtered and insisted. You need to take this medicine four times a day after eating.
It is important to remember that it is advisable to use a decoction of licorice root for no more than three weeks in a row.
Then it is recommended to take a break of one month and, if necessary, repeat the course of treatment.
Stifnolobiy or Sophora Japanese
The fruits of a leguminous plant such as sophora in combination with white mistletoe effectively fight high cholesterol levels. To prepare the infusion, you need to take one hundred grams of each of the herbal ingredients and pour one liter of vodka.
The resulting mixture is infused for three weeks in a dark place, and then consumed before meals three times a day, one teaspoon. This tincture will help to cure hypertension, improve blood circulation and normalize blood cholesterol levels.
The juice from the leaves of this plant is used to cleanse the body of harmful cholesterol. To return cholesterol levels to normal levels, take two tablespoons of alfalfa juice three times a day for one month.
This herb effectively fights against osteoporosis and arthritis, as well as promotes healthy nails and hair.
The fruits and flowers of this plant, as well as the licorice root, were recognized by doctors as an effective drug in the fight against certain diseases.
Hawthorn inflorescences are used to prepare an infusion to lower cholesterol. The flowers are poured with boiling water and insisted for about twenty minutes.
An infusion based on hawthorn inflorescences should be consumed at least four times a day, one tablespoon before meals.
The dry rhizome of the plant is ground into powder, poured with water, and then boiled over low heat for about half an hour. The prepared broth is decanted and allowed to cool. You need to use such a drug four times a day before bedtime, and also after two hours after eating.
Also, such a decoction can be used in the treatment of cough. In addition, cyanosis normalizes blood pressure, helps to improve the functioning of the nervous system, improves sleep and effectively eliminates the effects of stress.
Another widely used medicinal plant in the home. Linden blossoms help lower cholesterol.
A powder is made from them, which is taken three times a day, one teaspoonful for a month.
Gardeners and hobby gardeners call this plant a weed and struggle with its bright yellow flowers in every possible way until they turn into a beautiful balloon of seeds. However, a plant like dandelion is a real healing storehouse. In folk medicine, dandelion inflorescences, leaves and rhizomes are used.
In the fight against cholesterol, dandelion rhizome is useful, which is dried and then crushed into powder. In the future, it is taken thirty minutes before meals, washed down with plain water. As a rule, after the first six months of treatment, people notice a positive result.
Flax seeds are a really effective remedy that helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood vessels of the body. You can buy this homeopathic remedy at many pharmacies. Flax seeds should be added to food, for convenience, they can be ground into powder using a conventional coffee grinder.
Remember that this herbal remedy has a number of serious contraindications, which you must definitely familiarize yourself with before starting self-treatment.
Flax seeds not only cleanse blood vessels from cholesterol plaques, but also help to strengthen the cardiovascular system and normalize the gastrointestinal tract.
Infusions and decoctions prepared on the basis of jaundice, propolis, white cinquefoil, biennial primrose, milk thistle, plantain seed, evening primrose, valerian root, and thistle can also be effective in normalizing cholesterol levels.
The list of herbal remedies is endless, so we settled on the most popular and effective ways to influence cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol: Myth and Facts
Myth #1: Cholesterol is the cause of atherosclerosis.
Not certainly in that way. Cholesterol contained in fat-protein complexes constantly circulates in the blood. Yes, it is capable of being deposited in the vascular walls with the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. But this requires certain conditions. And the most important thing is the presence of cracks, scratches and microscopic wounds on the inner lining of the arteries. The reason for this is one of the functions of cholesterol. It is embedded in defects in cell membranes, providing them with sealing and selective permeability to certain substances. Cholesterol, followed by protein and calcium salts, cannot penetrate into whole, tightly interconnected cells of the vascular lining.
Consequently, the main culprits of atherosclerosis are infectious, chemical and mechanical agents leading to disruption of the integrity of the endothelium and damage to the deep layers of blood vessels. These include viruses, bacteria, toxins, fever, and blood pressure surges. This proves the fact that atherosclerosis develops much faster in people with weak immunity, susceptible to infectious diseases, smokers, exercising little exercise, abusing alcohol, working in hazardous production, than those leading an active healthy lifestyle.
Myth #2: The body itself produces cholesterol – nothing depends on nutrition.
Not entirely true. Indeed, most of all fatty alcohol is produced by cells of the liver, intestinal mucosa, adrenal glands, and skin. It is called endogenous. In the same tissues, cholesterol binds to transport proteins, and only then enters the bloodstream and is carried to the rest of the structures. Such chemical reactions also occur in the body of animals, the meat and by-products of which a person eats. Their endogenous cholesterol automatically gets into food and becomes exogenous for humans. Normally, it should be no more than 1/5 of the total total volume (endogenous + exogenous). If the amount of incoming cholesterol constantly exceeds the required amount, the main organ of its utilization – the liver – does not have time to bind it into bile acids and excrete it into the intestine, which leads to hyper-cholesterolemia.
It is logical that in case of hepatic pathology, accompanied by insufficiency, food oversaturated with cholesterol further aggravates the violation of its metabolism.
Myth # 3: Raising cholesterol is very bad.
Not everything is so categorical. Cholesterol is divided into “bad” and “good”. What does it mean? To navigate the issue, you should at least superficially familiarize yourself with cholesterol metabolism.
The “naked” cholesterol synthesized and taken with food cannot move along the bloodstream on its own. It is a fatty alcohol, and fat droplets cause blockage of small vessels, since they are insoluble in an aqueous medium. Therefore, it immediately begins to “overgrow” with transport proteins, making it suitable for circulation in the blood.
Myth #4: Cholesterol rises due to unhealthy foods.
Not entirely true. In fact, our body is designed in such a way that 80-90% of cholesterol is synthesized in the liver – regardless of whether you eat butter or carrots. That is, the diet, of course, can somewhat adjust the level of this substance in the body, but it is completely insignificant – only by those very 10-20%.
Myth #5: The lower its blood counts, the better.
The generally recognized international norm for total blood cholesterol is up to 5.5 mmol/l. However, the principle “less is more” does not work directly in this case, doctors warn. There are several important nuances. Cholesterol circulates in our blood, through the vessels, not by itself, but in the form of lipoproteins – that is, compounds with protein complexes. They have different densities and sizes. Low-density lipoproteins are often called “bad cholesterol”, as they are one of the risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis (note, only one of the factors and not at all decisive). High density lipoproteins are known as “good cholesterol”. They not only do not provoke atherosclerosis, but even serve as a means of preventing it – they prevent the attachment of “bad” cholesterol to the walls of our vessels.
As a lipid (fat), cholesterol is a building material for the membranes of all cells in our body. That is, it is simply vital for us. Including cholesterol is involved in the production of the most important hormones: female estrogen and progesterone, male testosterone. Accordingly, the lack of this “disgraced” substance is fraught with a decrease in male strength, and in women – a violation of the menstrual cycle and an increased risk of infertility. Also, when there is a lack of cholesterol, which forms, among other things, the membranes of our skin cells, the appearance of wrinkles is accelerated.
Myth #6: Lean meals are healthier.
Since our liver itself synthesizes cholesterol, then maybe reducing fat in food is still beneficial? For example, those who are losing weight are addicted to lean diets, fashionable vegetarianism tells them to avoid animal fats.
“Don’t forget that 60% of our brain is fat,” recalls Philip Haytovich, one of the world’s leading neuroscientists. The amount and ratio of fat in the diet seriously affects the state and function of the brain. In particular, studies have proven the benefits of unsaturated fatty acids – Omega-6 and Omega-3. They are known to be good for brain development and therefore must be added to a child’s diet. At the same time, it is very important to maintain a balance: the ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 acids in food should be 4:1. However, in fact, many modern people consume too much Omega-6 and too little Omega-3. Such a bias can lead to memory impairment, depression, the number of which is growing, and even a suicidal mood.
Myth #7: A healthy lifestyle is the strongest protection against a heart attack.
Of course, proper nutrition, sleep, a minimum of stress and bad habits dramatically reduce the risk of earning cardiovascular diseases. However, sometimes we come across sad examples: a person did not drink, did not smoke, did not overeat, but died at an early age from a heart attack/stroke.
“Modern research shows that there is another serious risk factor that damages blood vessels, which few people think about: an increased level of the substance homocysteine,” explains geneticist Irina Zhegulina. This is an amino acid that is formed in our body during the processing of the essential amino acid methionine and the metabolism of group B vitamins. this substance begins to damage blood vessels.
Therefore, people who have signs of cardiovascular problems are advised to be tested for homocysteine levels.
What Really Kills Arteries?
Smoking: resins and other toxic substances that damage the walls of blood vessels enter the body.
Abuse of sweets: with an increased level of glucose in the blood, destruction of the walls of blood vessels begins, primarily in those organs where the vessels are thin and form capillary networks: the brain, eyes, kidneys.
Elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine, the content of which in the blood goes off scale, if a person has problems with the absorption of folic acid.
1. How much cholesterol in a day?
For comparison, the average amount of cholesterol required for a middle-aged person can be obtained by eating only 2 egg yolks, a pound of chicken or beef, 100 grams of caviar or liver, 200 grams of shrimp. Based on this, it becomes clear that in order to control the amount of lipoproteins supplied with food, you need to correctly select dishes for your menu.
You can read the complete article here – How Much Cholesterol in a Day?
2. How much cholesterol in egg white?
Depending on whether it is large or small, the cholesterol content may differ, but the average is 200-300 mg per 100 grams of egg. This is a high figure. The daily norm of cholesterol coming from food is 200 mg and no more. By simple calculations, you can calculate that eating one large chicken egg, we get this daily rate.
You can read the complete article here – How Much Cholesterol in Egg White?
3. How much cholesterol in chicken?
Chicken stomachs contain 240 mg of cholesterol per 100 grams of the chicken and are very beneficial for heart disease. They are eaten boiled, not much and not often.
You can read the complete article here – How Much Cholesterol in Chicken?
4. How much cholesterol in fish?
The cholesterol content directly depends on the fat content. There are low-fat varieties – pollock, hake, halibut. The fat content in them does not exceed 2%. Fish of medium fat content (carp, bream) contains from 2% to 8% polyunsaturated fatty acids. Lipid-saturated varieties with a fat content above 8% include Atlantic herring, mackerel, halibut, white fish.
You can read the complete article here – How Much Cholesterol in Fish?
5. How much cholesterol in almonds?
There is no bad cholesterol found in almonds. Nutrition scientists and experts advised to eat 10 gm of almonds daily for breakfast throughout your life: this will prevent diseases of the cardiovascular system, including an increase in cholesterol levels.
You can read the complete article here – How Much Cholesterol in Almonds?
6. How much cholesterol in milk?
Milk contains cholesterol molecules, like all animal products. Milk contains 5 gm of saturated fat, and 24 mg of cholesterol in a 1 cup or 8 ounce (oz) serving. Dairy products with a fat content of no more than 1.0% can be drunk per day no more than 300 millilitres.
You can read the complete article here – How Much Cholesterol in Milk?
7. Why Cholesterol is Important?
Cholesterol itself can be neither harmful nor beneficial. But it is important to know that it is transported through the body along with special proteins, forming lipoproteins. The latter can have high or low density, while high density lipoproteins are conventionally considered good, and low – on the contrary, bad.
You can read the complete article here – Why Cholesterol is Important?