Liver produces cholesterol, which is a waxy material that is present in your blood. Although your body needs cholesterol to create healthy cells, having too much of it can increase your chance of developing heart disease. Several reasons contribute to a spike in cholesterol levels, including diet, smoking, obesity, or genetics.
Most people fail to realise they have high cholesterol unless they get serious health complications, as it does not cause any symptoms. Therefore, a routine checkup is essential for cholesterol screenings to detect it early. It is important to make changes in your lifestyle to keep in check your cholesterol levels.
Reasons For Not Reducing Cholesterol
Many people fail to control their cholesterol levels due to the following reasons:
Smoking
As per the American Heart Association, smoking is one reason you don’t see a dip in your cholesterol levels. Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol and increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease. In addition, non-smokers should stay away from secondhand smoke too.
Also Read: How High Cholesterol Affects Your Eyes: Signs You Should Not Ignore
Hidden Fats
According to the American Heart Association, it is important to reduce the intake of saturated fats along with trans fat as they cause your LDL cholesterol to rise. You should avoid eating red meat, butter, and foods that contain unhealthy fats.
Relying Completely On Your Diet
Maintaining a healthy diet is important; however, it is not enough to lower cholesterol levels. The condition worsens if you are diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia.
Eating Outside Frequently
There is no guarantee that even the healthiest food ordered at a restaurant is entirely healthy. You should eat home-cooked food to maintain your diet and cholesterol levels.
Not Quitting Alcohol
Consuming alcohol in excess amounts can significantly raise your cholesterol levels and lead to obesity. According to the National Library of Medicine, excessive alcohol consumption may increase the chances of developing health issues such as cardiovascular disorders.
Relying Only On Medications
Study results published in the Journal of The American Heart Association indicated that solely relying on medications will not help lower cholesterol levels. It found that people tend to gain weight and exercise less when they are prescribed statins.
Genetic Risk
People with a genetic risk tend to have high cholesterol levels even after living a healthy lifestyle.
Also Read: Expert Explains Health Hazards Of Bad Cholesterol
Tips To Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Exercise
Exercising is one the most crucial things a person with high cholesterol levels should not miss. It helps raise HDL levels (good cholesterol) and lower LDL and triglycerides in your body.
Maintain Moderate Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial because obesity is one of the risk factors for high cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, reducing weight by 5 to 10% can reduce cholesterol levels in people with an increased risk of cardiovascular issues. Obesity can increase the chances of many health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Healthy Diet
You should eat fruits and vegetables and avoid junk and highly processed foods to prevent cholesterol spikes. In addition, eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fibre.
