Reasons for increased cholesterol
Cholesterol is found in all cells of the body. This cholesterol is necessary in our body for making hormones, Vitamin D and elements necessary for digesting food. There are two types of cholesterol, one is HDL which is called good cholesterol and the other is bad cholesterol which is called LDL. Increase in bad cholesterol in the body is considered dangerous. Understand in simple language that cholesterol is a sticky substance like wax. Which gets stuck in our arteries and blood veins. Many times its particles get mixed in the blood and disrupt the blood supply. When bad cholesterol increases due to high cholesterol, it can block the blood supply to any part of the heart or brain. Which can lead to heart attack and stroke. Now it is most important to know that how does cholesterol increase?
Reasons for increased cholesterol?
Unhealthy food- Unhealthy food is considered to be the main cause of bad cholesterol. Cholesterol increases due to high amount of saturated and trans fat in food. Saturated fat is found in animal foods such as red meat, butter and full-fat dairy products. Whereas trans fat is found in processed food.
Lack of exercise- The second biggest reason for high cholesterol is your being physically inactive. That means not doing physical exercise. People who are obese have high levels of bad cholesterol. Therefore always keep your weight under control.
Smoking- Smoking can also be another reason for increasing LDL i.e. bad cholesterol level. Smoking can reduce good cholesterol in the body and increase bad cholesterol.
Health related problems- If you have any kind of lifestyle disease or health related problem then cholesterol can increase. For example, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease, your cholesterol can also be high.
Other reasons- Another reason for high cholesterol in the body can also be your age and your gender. LDL cholesterol can increase with age. At the same time, LDL is higher in men than in women. Sometimes cholesterol level can also become high due to genetic reasons.
Which test should be done for cholesterol?
You can get a lipid profile test done to detect cholesterol. This is a blood test for which you need to fast for 9-12 hours. This test reveals the range of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride and total cholesterol in the body.
What is the normal level of cholesterol?
If your test report has come, then the normal range of LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL. The normal range of HDL cholesterol can be 40 mg/dL or more. Triglyceride range should be less than 150 mg/dL.
(This article is for general information, please consult a doctor before adopting any remedy)
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