Many people make the mistake of thinking that cholesterol is evil itself, a compound that only harms our body. However, the truth is different, the appropriate level of cholesterol in the blood is even necessary for our health, and it is the LDL cholesterol, the so-called bad fraction, that is harmful, and it is absolutely necessary to reduce its amount. However, too high a level almost immediately begins to feel unfavorable, leads to the development of many dangerous diseases, can sometimes even be life-threatening. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly examine the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood serum and immediately react to any alarming changes.

Before we address the presentation of the effects of too high levels of “bad cholesterol” and the positive effects of “good cholesterol”, we should first learn what important functions it has in the human body and how it can affect health. Cholesterol is a chemical compound included in the sterol group, in our body it is naturally synthesized in the liver, and its possible deficiency is supplemented by maintaining a proper diet or taking dietary supplements having it in their composition. Cholesterol is divided into two basic groups, called fractions, which differ precisely in the way they affect the body, and these are:

We will present thenegative effects of the LDL fra ction later in the text, first it is necessary to know what functions HDL cholesterol performs, and among the most important may be:

Cholesterollevels that aretoo high pose such a serious health risk that if any symptoms are observed, it is imperative to consult a doctor, who will order testing, both of the LDL fraction cholesterol and HDL levels. The test is called a lipidogram, and in addition to the two switched fractions, it also includes what is known as total cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels, and the individual standards specified by specialists are:

Total cholesterol

In this case, the level of total cholesterol is the same for men and women and should not exceed <190 mg/dl.

Cholesterol LDL

Here again, there is no distinction by gender and the LDL cholesterol level should be <115 mg/dl.

Cholesterol HDL

Only this beneficial fraction has different standards for men and women, which are:

Triglycerides

Triglycerides, abbreviated TG or by the name triglycerides, are an important component of adipose tissue, primarily a source of energy for the body, and the recommended triglyceride level should be 150-199 mg/dl.

Not everyone is automatically at risk of having too high cholesterol in the blood, it most often happens to people in the so-called high-risk group, such as those suffering from hypercholesterolemia, a condition that occurs in two varieties, primary and secondary. The cause of the development of the first is most often genetic, the inheritance of a susceptibility to mutations in the LDL receptor gene, and the second can be caused by certain groups of drugs, is also a symptom of comorbidities such as. hypothyroidism, and the result of an unhealthy lifestyle.

Of course, hypercholesterolemia is not the only reason that we begin to complain about the effects of elevated cholesterol. Very often we are guilty of it ourselves, living, for example, in constant stress, and the disturbing changes are also the result of such negligence as:

Sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, not only causes overweight and obesity, it also reflects adversely on the lipid profile. If we don’t move then both LDL cholesterol and triglycerides can rise dangerously. So it’s worth moving from home, and even a daily walk will change this unfavorable state of affairs, allow us to maintain a healthy weight, avoid the risk of heart disease and activate the synthesis of enzymes responsible for reducing cholesterol itself. The best solution is regular activity, and studies have shown that it can reduce LDL cholesterol by 15%, with a concomitant increase in HDL by nearly 20%, and this after just a few months of exercise.

Of no small importance in achieving safe cholesterol levels is a proper diet, which is often far from the recommendations of nutritionists and other specialists. The diet is dominated by everything unhealthy, and highly processed foods are responsible for the long-term maintenance of elevated LDL levels, equally harmful are smoking and drinking alcohol, and such foods as:

Lots of outdoor exercise and a well-balanced, healthy diet can quickly and effectively lower cholesterol levels. Absolutely should not be underestimated, if you disregard the results of the tests, then you have to reckon with serious symptoms of high cholesterol:

Treatment of high cholesterol is most often done by pharmacological methods, which are ordered by a doctor on the basis of tests and their effectiveness we will not deny. You can also try to reduce the level of this compound in a natural way, and a great deal depends on our lifestyle, first of all, diet. When it comes to natural methods to reduce cholesterol in the blood, the best is:

By far the most important, and we already know what foods and foods we should absolutely avoid. They need to be replaced with healthy counterparts and in our daily menu, a healthy and balanced diet must include:

Such a diet will not only allow us to maintain proper cholesterol levels in the body, especially when combined with a good dose of daily physical activity. We will also manage to maintain the correct body weight, in accordance with the calculated BMI, and enjoy a slim, athletic figure without a gram of unnecessary fat.

Followers of phytotherapy, or herbal medicine, can fight their high cholesterol with the help of many popular herbs and plants with medicinal properties. Used in the form of infusions or as an ingredient in dietary supplements, they show high efficacy, and in this case the best performer is: