Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty like substance present in our body. It helps us to digest food and makes hormone and vitamin D. Cholesterol is already present in our cells and is produced by our body when required. It is also found in foods from animal sources, such as egg yolks, meat, and cheese. Too much cholesterol may lead to high risk of cardiovascular disease, that involves heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. It may also lead to diabetes and high blood pressure. So, it is essential to correct our lifestyle mistakes that could lead to increased cholesterol levels:
Here are 5 reasons/lifestyle errors that could lead to increased cholesterol levels:
No Exercise
Exercise helps us to maintain our body weight as an increase in weight leads to the flow of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) in our blood cells. The type of LDL is more prone to heart diseases. Exercise helps LDL to move from blood to liver from there it is excreted or converted into bile. Exercise also increases the size of protein particles that transmit cholesterol. 30-45 minutes of walking, jogging, biking, yoga, dancing or aerobics per day Could help you to lower your cholesterol.
Also Read: Here's What Cholesterol Does To Your Body, Explains Dr Dora
Poor Diet
Consuming food that encompasses high saturated fats like fried foods, fast food, processed meats such as sausages, bacon and hot dogs, desserts like cookies, cakes, ice cream, pastries, crackers, pre-packed foods and microwave popcorn can increase your cholesterol. Also, check food details carefully and if any of that has “partially hydrogenated oil” then avoid it and eat more fibre like oats, fruits, bean, lentils or vegetables. Replace saturated and transfat with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats which are present in foods like trout, salmon, avocados, and vegetable oils like safflower, canola, sunflower, and olive. Also, a poor diet increases the chance of a heart failure too.
Smoking & Drinking
Smoking lowers your levels of HDL cholesterol and injures blood vessel walls, which could result in diabetes, high blood pressure. Also, we are very well aware that 90 per cent of lung cancer is caused due to smoking. Overdose of alcohol can increase the cholesterol levels, which may increase the content of fat in your blood.
Ignoring Health Check-Ups
Unhealthy cholesterol numbers do not show symptoms usually. So, it is essential to get a health check-up every 4 years. So, if there is a problem you may improve your lifestyle, take proper medication and avoid missteps to protect your body from high cholesterol. You should undoubtedly maintain a journal about your cholesterol levels, the diet that you eat, etc. so that the same can be reported to the doctor for proper cure and care.
Also Read: Two Apples A Day, Keeps Cholesterol Away: Research
Missing Out On Proper Medication
If you have any disease, make sure you follow the directions of your doctor and take the prescribed medicines. Changing medicines by your own may lead to disturbed cholesterol levels and will also hamper your overall health. Missing out on medicines can have a grave effect on your health. And, if you have cholesterol, make sure along with the medication, make sure you eat as per your medical condition.
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