5 factors that negatively affect cholesterol levels

Cholesterol is very important for the body’s health, they only harm when the cholesterol level in the blood exceeds the necessary threshold. Insoluble cholesterol should be transported by lipoprotein particles, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c). In particular, LDL – cholesterol is considered “bad cholesterol” because when in excess, they increase the risk of atherosclerosis. And HDL- cholesterol is known as “good cholesterol” because they clean up excess cholesterol, carrying it back to the liver. The liver then removes cholesterol from the body.

High cholesterol often has no obvious symptoms, a condition that contributes to cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol levels can also be influenced by external factors, including diet and lifestyle factors. Very Well Health.

Unhealthy eating

A diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, or refined sugar can adversely affect cholesterol levels. Diet works by causing LDL – cholesterol to rise and HDL – cholesterol levels to decrease.

The American Heart Association recommends that each person maintain 5-6% of their daily calories from saturated fat. Refined sugars and trans fats are found in many different foods, including cookies, cakes, and chips. Each person should limit this food.

Having a background disease

Certain health conditions can also adversely affect LDL – cholesterol, HDL – cholesterol levels. This is evident in patients who do not receive adequate treatment.

Specifically, people with diabetes, prediabetes, insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, obesity, hypothyroidism, kidney disease have unbalanced cholesterol levels. In most cases, addressing underlying medical conditions will lead to healthy, balanced cholesterol levels.

Using drugs

Certain medications you are taking for other medical conditions can also slightly raise your LDL cholesterol levels These include medicines such as diuretics (used to remove excess fluid from the body) , estrogen, progesterone (used in hormone replacement therapy), atypical antipsychotics, beta blockers, and some HIV medications. In some cases, high cholesterol is only temporary.

Unhealthy Habits

In fact, the habits you are maintaining in your daily life can cause high cholesterol levels. Some habits that negatively affect cholesterol levels include: not exercising; Not getting enough sleep, smoking, living and working in a stressful environment.

These lifestyle habits can cause LDL cholesterol levels to rise, and in some cases also lower HDL cholesterol. So, making positive lifestyle changes by eliminating unhealthy habits can improve lipids and heart health.

Gene

High LDL – cholesterol, low HDL – cholesterol can be inherited from parents. Early-onset cholesterol diseases are associated with mutations in several genes. The most common cause is a mutation in the gene encoding the LDL receptor.

If you come from a family with a history of high cholesterol or heart disease, you should disclose this to your healthcare provider. Experts can periodically monitor, detect any changes in cholesterol levels early, start treatment early, prevent the effects of high cholesterol.

Le Nguyen