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    What are the diseases associated with high cholesterol?

    Mar 08, 2021

    Body health

     High cholesterol is unhealthy because it raises the chances of developing a variety of severe illnesses. Plaque is a waxy accumulation of cholesterol in your blood that can mix with other substances and shape. Plaque then begins to line your blood vessels, limiting blood flow in your body. This lays the groundwork for chronic and potentially fatal conditions. Other health problems, on the other hand, may raise the risk of high cholesterol. So, you have to know diseases linked to high cholesterol and how to lower cholesterol.

    What are the diseases associated with high cholesterol?

    Cholesterol is a lipid and is a fatty material. It is essential for the body's normal functioning. Cholesterol is used by the body to make cell membranes, hormones, and vitamin D. Proteins transport cholesterol through the bloodstream. Lipoproteins are formed when the two interact. Lipoproteins are divided into two categories.

    • HDL is a type of lipoprotein that transports cholesterol away from cells and back to the liver. It is then either broken down or excreted as a waste product by the body.
    • LDL (low-density lipoprotein) transports cholesterol to cells that need it. If the cells don't have enough cholesterol to use, it can build up in the artery walls, causing artery disease.
    According to Cleveland clinic,  You should be aware of the following conditions that are related to high cholesterol:

    1. Atherosclerosis: High cholesterol raises the risk of developing atherosclerosis, a heart disease. Plaque builds up in your arteries, making them stiff and strong. Atherosclerosis, also known as artery hardening, can lead to a variety of other problems, including pain, a heart attack, or a stroke.
    2. Heart Disease: High cholesterol has been linked to several diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. High cholesterol is a major contributor to the development of coronary artery disease. In the United States, this is the leading cause of death for adults.
    A heart attack may occur if plaque builds up in an artery carrying blood to the heart. If only a portion of the artery is blocked, you can experience angina or chest pain. A blood clot can completely block an artery that has narrowed.
    3. Stroke: Since high cholesterol can contribute to atherosclerosis, it increases the risk of getting a stroke. If plaque prevents blood flow to the brain, brain cells may die The outcome may be a weakness in an arm or leg, as well as difficulty speaking. This may be a long-term situation.
    4. High blood pressure: When high cholesterol causes atherosclerosis, the heart must work even harder to pump blood through narrowed arteries. Your blood pressure will rise because of this. High cholesterol has a major impact on blood pressure when you smoke.
    5. Type 2 diabetes patients are more likely than non-diabetics to have high cholesterol. Diabetes causes cholesterol and fat levels in the blood to rise. Even if your diabetes is under control, this is so. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels will rise because of diabetes. This is the "wrong" kind of cholesterol. It can also lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "healthy" cholesterol.
    6. Peripheral artery disease: Cholesterol can build up in the blood vessels outside of your heart, causing peripheral artery disease. The legs are the most affected. Blood supply to these areas is harmed by the accumulation. Peripheral artery disease is a disorder that may result from this (PAD). 
    Walking can be painful for people with PAD. Simple cuts and scrapes don't heal well and are more likely to become infected due to inadequate blood flow. If the condition isn't treated, it can lead to gangrene and, in some cases, limb amputation. The arteries in your arms and abdomen may also be affected by PAD.
    7. Obesity is a condition that has been attributed to elevated cholesterol levels. Obesity is significantly overweight. When BMI is (30) or higher, it is considered obese.
     Obese people have a higher risk of developing high cholesterol.
    They're also more likely to develop other heart disease risk factors associated with high cholesterol. Diabetes and hypertension are two example

    How to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood naturally?

    You're more likely to develop heart disease if your cholesterol is high. The good news is that it's a risk you can manage. You will increase your "healthy" HDL cholesterol while lowering your "poor" LDL cholesterol. You just need to make a few minor adjustments. To lower your cholesterol and get back on the path to good health, follow these suggestions.

    • Getting rid of excess weight: 

    To lower your cholesterol, you don't need to lose a lot of weight. If you're overweight, losing only 10 pounds will lower your LDL by up to 8%. However, if you want to lose weight permanently, you'll have to do so over time. 

    1 to 2 pounds per week is a fair and healthy target. Although inactive, overweight women need 1,000 to 1,200 calories per day to lose weight, healthy, overweight women and women weighing more than 164 pounds need 1,200 to 1,600 calories per day, according to the national heart, lung, and blood institute.

     If you're very active during your weight-loss program, you might need more calories to keep from getting hungry.

    After consulting your doctor, here are some cholesterol-improving foods and supplements to consider. 
     
    • Fibers
    Soluble fiber is found in foods like oatmeal, apples, prunes, and beans, and it prevents the body from consuming cholesterol. According to studies, people who consumed 5 to 10 more grams of it a day had lower LDL levels. Eating more fiber helps you feel fuller, so you won't be as hungry for snacks. But be careful: eating too much fiber at once can cause bloating and abdominal cramps. Gradually increase your intake.

    • Fish oil
    Two or four days a week is a good target. Not only are the omega-3 fats in fish heart-healthy but substituting fish for red meat lowers cholesterol by reducing your exposure to saturated fats, which are plentiful in red meat. This can put you at a higher risk for heart disease. Choose wild salmon, sardines, and bluefin tuna instead.

    • Nuts
    LDL cholesterol can be reduced in almost all forms. The explanation for this is that they contain sterols, which, like fiber, prevent cholesterol from being absorbed by the body. Only don't overdo it: Nuts have a lot of calories (an ounce of almonds has 164 calories!).

    • Flax Seeds
    Flax Seeds may improve Lower cholesterol and can play significant role in improving heart health.
    Research shows consuming flax seeds daily can lowered total cholesterol by 17%.

    • Niacin (Vitamin B3)
    Studies show that Niacin may lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides; may improve high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol.

    • Berberine  
    studies show that berberine can reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while raising HDL.

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