Ways to maintain the cholesterol levels

The food that we eat only contributes to a small part of the cholesterol present in our bodies. The bad cholesterol, or the LDL cholesterol, is often a result of continuous unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle. Our bodies often keep cholesterol balanced, but the standard lifestyle and unhealthy diet lead to the mismanagement of the cholesterol levels leading to an increase in the LDL cholesterol.

How can one check the cholesterol levels?
Cholesterol levels change with age, weight, and gender. The ideal cholesterol level of a 7-year old child will not be the same for an adult. Children have low levels of cholesterol; as people grow older, there is a significant increase in their cholesterol levels. Hence, one of the reasons for high cholesterol is age, which makes it important for the adults to get their cholesterol levels checked between regular intervals. Follow these steps to check cholesterol levels.

• Get a lipoprotein analysis or a lipoprotein profile. There is no need to prepare yourself for the test. Your doctor is more likely to inform you if you have to get it checked on an empty stomach or not. If you are asked to fast before the test, it will most likely be for 9 to 12 hours before the test.
• The doctor will take a sample of your blood from the arm or finger.
• The sample is then tested and analyzed where the levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides are measured and reported.

Are there any symptoms of high LDL cholesterol?
There are no symptoms of high LDL cholesterol; however, there are many risk factors that can lead to the problem of high cholesterol. The health problems that high cholesterol leads to often show symptoms. In most cases, people who have high cholesterol remain unaware of their levels unless they get a serious medical sign like a heart attack, stroke, or diabetes. To be able to know when to get tested for high levels of LDL cholesterol, here are some risk factors one should know about. Anyone with these risk factors must consider getting their cholesterol levels checked.

• Consuming a diet that is full of junk food, aerated drinks, trans fat, packaged food, artificial food items, deep-fried food, and artificially sweetened and sugary food.
• Obesity.
• Large waist circumference.
• Smoking.
• High intake of alcohol.
• Existing diabetes condition.

How to lower cholesterol quickly?
Doctors often suggest people bring their cholesterol down naturally by following a certain diet and lifestyle; however, some people, who want to lower their cholesterol quickly, are prescribed supplements.

• Supplements can be considered as a type of treatment for lowering cholesterol.
• Some supplements have fish oil as the primary ingredient. These supplements work toward lowering triglyceride levels
• Psyllium, which is a type of fiber, is known for busting bad cholesterol. Fiber is also responsible for lowering triglycerides and total cholesterol. Hence, a supplement with psyllium is beneficial for people with type-2 diabetes.
• Soy protein supplements are also taken for lowering LDL cholesterol levels quickly. Those who want to avoid eating animal protein can take soy protein as a substitute.

There are many other supplements that you can learn about from the internet or your physician.

What are the do’s and don’ts that are important while taking measures to decrease LDL cholesterol levels?

• Sticking to a new diet that incorporates natural remedies for lowering the cholesterol level is important.
• While you are choosing a supplement, do not start any supplement without consulting your doctor.
• It is important to know that supplements are just one part of the plan to lower cholesterol levels and they alone will not necessarily decrease your cholesterol levels.
• Checking the cholesterol numbers chart regularly and aiming to bring the cholesterol to its normal level is essential.