High Cholesterol Treatment
Cholesterol is a lipid, or fat, with a waxy structure in our body and is produced naturally by all cells, especially in the liver. The human body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to form healthy cells. However, high cholesterol, or hyperlipidemia, can harm the body. Therefore, we should keep it under control.
What is High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is produced in the body and ingested with food. It produces and carries some hormones, vitamins and acids secreted in the intestines that are necessary for the continuation of life in the body. However, high cholesterol can build up inside the body and clog arteries, leading to heart disease.
What Causes High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol occurs due to the cholesterol taken from outside instead of the cholesterol produced in the body. Among the reasons for this are health problems such as:
- Genetic factors,
- Excessive consumption of high-fat foods,
- Smoking,
- Some drugs used,
- Sedentary lifestyle,
- Obesity,
- Diabetes
Is There a Relation Between Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure?
The relationship between blood pressure and cholesterol is important for cardiovascular health. While high cholesterol increases the risk of heart attack and stroke by clogging the arteries, high blood pressure can also cause damage to the aorta and other vessels. Therefore, the coexistence of high cholesterol and high blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases even more.
What Are the Types of Cholesterol?
The types of cholesterol are as follows:
- LDL cholesterol: It is known as "bad cholesterol". High amounts of it increase the risk of heart attack and stroke by clogging the arteries.
- HDL cholesterol: It is known as "good cholesterol". High amounts reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Triglycerides: High amounts can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- VLDL cholesterol: High amounts increase the formation of LDL cholesterol. Therefore, it also increases the risk of heart disease.
How to Treat High LDL Cholesterol?
High LDL treatment usually includes a combination of actions. Treatment methods are as follows:
- Diet
- Physical activity
- Medical (Drug) Treatment
- Control of risk factors
How to Treat Low HDL Cholesterol?
If HDL levels are low, treatment options are usually as follows:
- Diet: Avoid fatty and high-cholesterol foods.
- Physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle can reduce HDL levels. Therefore, physical activity is recommended.
- Medical Treatment: If diet and exercise are insufficient, medical treatment is applied.
- Control of risk factors: It includes stop smoking and controlling some diseases.
How to Treat Triglycerides?
The same treatment methods are used to treat triglycerides:
- Diet
- Physical activity
- Medical Treatment
- Control of risk factors
As you can see, the methods applied in HDL, LDL and triglyceride treatments are the same. However, it would be wrong to expect doctors to use the same treatment for everyone because cholesterol treatment is planned individually.
What are the Common Mistakes in the Treatment of High Cholesterol?
Common mistakes made in the treatment of high cholesterol are as follows:
- Not following the diet and exercise plan
- Opposing drug therapy
- Using dietary products
- Excessive eating
- Smoking
- Uncontrolled stress
What Should You Eat If You Have High Cholesterol?
If you have high cholesterol, you should consider the following recommendations. However, you should not forget that nutrition is entirely personal. For this reason, you should see a nutrition expert or a doctor for your diet.
- Limit fat consumption: It is imperative to avoid fatty and high-cholesterol foods.
- Consume protein sources: Choose healthy protein sources such as whole-grain foods, hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids help protect heart health and reduce cholesterol levels.
- Fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables help protect heart health and lower cholesterol levels due to their high fibre content.
- Whole grain foods: Care should be taken to consume whole grain foods to treat high cholesterol.
- Reduce the consumption of liquid calories: Alcohol and other beverages containing liquid calories can cause obesity. It also raises cholesterol levels. Therefore, you must reduce liquid calorie consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
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To reduce the cholesterol level as quickly as possible, you should exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet, stop smoking, and treat obesity if present. In addition, regular use of cholesterol-lowering drugs recommended by the doctor can quickly lower the cholesterol level.
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In general, drug therapy is considered in people with high cholesterol. In patients with diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, drug use may be needed at lower values:
- LDL levels of 190 mg/dL or higher
- Triglyceride levels of 400 mg/dL or higher
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The best foods against cholesterol are as follows:
- Dairy Products: Semi-skimmed or light milk or lactose-free milk, cheese, kefir, buttermilk, yogurt
- Grains: Oatmeal or bran, whole wheat, bran or rye bread, barley
- Meat: Lean chicken, fish, turkey, veal
- Vegetables: All fresh vegetables
- Fruit: Whole fresh fruit
- Legumes: Chickpeas, beans, kidney beans, red and green lentils
- Oil types: Olive oil
- Oil seeds: Walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts
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To increase HDL levels, you can consider the following suggestions:
- Exercise regularly.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit or stop alcohol consumption altogether.
- Eat healthily.
- Check your body weight.
- If your doctor recommends medical treatment, be sure to consider it.
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Exercise is good for cholesterol and protects heart health. Regular exercise raises good cholesterol (HDL) levels and lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. Also, exercise helps control body weight. For this reason, it is imperative to keep cholesterol levels at average and exercise regularly for general health.