What you need to know about cholesterol
Cholesterol is one of the key metrics used to measure health and wellness . It is also known as a ‘ silent killer ’ and can cause an increased risk of serious conditions like a heart attack and stroke . Let ’ s take a simplified look at cholesterol .
What is cholesterol ? Cholesterol is a type of fat found in your blood , that is made by your liver . You also can get cholesterol from the foods you eat .
The two main types of cholesterol are : LDL ( low-density lipoprotein ) cholesterol , or ‘ bad cholesterol ,’ carries cholesterol from the liver into the bloodstream , where it can clog up your arteries .
HDL ( high-density lipoprotein ) cholesterol , or ‘ good cholesterol ,’ carries the cholesterol in the blood back to the liver , where it is broken down .
Here ’ s a way to remember the difference :
• The LDL cholesterol is the bad kind , so call it ‘ lousy ’ cholesterol — ‘ L ’ for lousy
• The HDL is the good cholesterol , so remember it as ‘ healthy ’ cholesterol — ‘ H ’ for healthy
What foods have LDL ? Fatty and processed meat products – such as sausages - contain LDL . Meat , fish , eggs , butter , cheese and milk all have ‘ bad cholesterol ’ in them .
What foods have HDL ? Olive oil , beans , whole grains ( like oats ), high fibre fruit , fatty fish and nuts are good sources of HDL .
You need a little , not a lot
You need cholesterol to help your brain , skin and other organs function . But eating too much fat and foods containing cholesterol is not good for you . Cholesterol is carried in your blood and can get into the walls of the blood vessels . This can cause the arteries to narrow and clog . If the clogging gets worse over many years , it can cause a heart attack or stroke in adults . Build up of cholesterol can start in childhood .
Cholesterol in the blood doesn ’ t move through the body on its own . It combines with proteins to travel through the bloodstream . Cholesterol and protein travelling together are called lipoproteins .
How can I prevent high LDL cholesterol ? Here are a few things you can do to keep your cholesterol under control :
• Eat a healthy diet that includes lots of fruit , vegetables and whole grains
• Limit drinks and foods that have a lot of fat or sugar , like sugary drinks , treats and fried foods
• Get plenty of exercise . Experts recommend at least 150 minutes every week !
Get your cholesterol checked by your doctor regularly .
Bonitas Member Magazine Issue 3 | 2021
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