Here’s everything you should know about cholesterol

Cholesterol is a terrifying word for many people. The minute one hears about cholesterol, fear of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, or stroke runs through their mind. However, cholesterol is not bad for health. It is high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in a person’s bloodstream that leads to multiple diseases. The LDL cholesterol is colloquially known as the bad cholesterol.

How is cholesterol important for the body?

• Cholesterol is a type of fat, and this fat is essential in the body just like any other protein and carbohydrates. The liver produces most of the cholesterol from a variety of foods.
• Cholesterol has an important role to play in the body. The transportation of cholesterol through the body is important as every cell wall needs cholesterol for proper functioning.
• Cholesterol is important for building the cell membranes and maintaining them.
• Cholesterol is also responsible for the modulation of the membranes’ fluidity over the different temperatures in the body.
• Cholesterol is important for the production of hormones. It is stored in the adrenal glands, testes, and the ovaries and is converted to steroid hormones when the body requires it. Without the converted cholesterol, there can be malfunctions in the mental status, bone health, sex, digestion, and weight.

What leads to high LDL cholesterol?

• In most cases, a type of diet and lifestyle are often responsible for high levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood.
• There are cases where the reason for high LDL cholesterol is genetic, but a type of diet and lifestyle often add to the risk of getting high LDL cholesterol. Those who wish to lower cholesterol quickly must pay attention to the factors that lead to LDL cholesterol.
• Animal organ meat often leads to an increase in high LDL cholesterol. Muffins, sugary or artificially sweetened food products, margarine, microwave popcorn, cheese, fast food, egg yolk, butter, and red meat are some foods that when consumed in excess quantity over years lead to the build-up of LDL cholesterol in the blood.
• Apart from poor eating habits, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, drinking alcohol, and disruptive or irregular sleep schedule are other factors that are responsible for high LDL cholesterol.

What can be done to decrease the levels of high LDL cholesterol?

• There are several measures people take to lower their LDL cholesterol quickly, however, the process is not always quick.
• Though one will find many ways to lower the cholesterol quickly, the right way is by switching to a healthier diet and lifestyle. Following a balanced diet after consulting with the physician, regular exercising, and a set routine will help one get back on track over a period of time.
• Cutting down on foods like eggs and egg dishes, chicken, beef, full-fat cheese, pork, pasta, pizza, fat milk, potato chips, packaged food, cookies, and other sugary foods can aid in lowering cholesterol quickly.
• There are certain processed vegetable oils that can be avoided for controlling cholesterol.
• On the other hand, increasing intake of foods like fruits, soybeans, soy milk, tofu, green vegetables, nuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, high-fiber foods, whole grains, and beans and legumes can be LDL cholesterol lowering natural remedies and can help increase HDL cholesterol.

How much time does it take to lower the bad cholesterol?

Lowering cholesterol can be a critical process for most people. It can take a long time when there are no major changes in the diet, however, when a proper diet is followed with regular exercising, a person can lower his or her cholesterol within weeks. However, it is important to follow the right diet and lifestyle for more than three months to ensure lowered LDL cholesterol.