What exactly is cholesterol? It is a waxy substance found naturally in our body cells and if found in excess, it can make great changes in your health condition.
It exists in two forms namely Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). Of this, LDL is the bad cholesterol since it is the protein substance released from the liver and retained in the arteries in large amounts causing serious problems like heart attack and stroke. HDL is the good fatty substance, which is thrown out from the arteries and absorbed by the liver again, thus reducing any potential risk to the body.
Treatment
As long as you maintain normal levels of cholesterol, you are having less chances of having cardiovascular problems and atherosclerosis. It is very necessary to become aware of the right levels of this lipoprotein in your blood, since millions of people around the globe are suffering from obesity, hypertension and heart attack due to excess of fat. You can reduce the bad fat in the body by dieting, exercises and medications. Even eating natural foods will lower the level to great extent. Many foods like oatmeal diet, beans, whole grain foods and soy protein are recommended by doctors to manage the right level of lipoproteins. You can also take plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits daily in the meal plan.
Causes
Cholesterol is highly useful in performing several bodily functions like secretion of bile from the liver, formation of cell membrane, hormone production and in metabolizing vitamins that are fat soluble. This substance is found in liver and exists as thick layer like waxy substance on each cell.
There are many factors responsible for the increased level of LDL in your body. Improper diet, obesity, lack of exercises, smoking and alcohol consumption are some of the causes for increase of cholesterol. To some extent, heredity also plays a role in determining the fat content in your body. It is easy to measure its level by doing a blood test. You are fortunate if you have the cholesterol level below 200mg/DL (normal) and if the levels are above 240mg/DL then you need to take extra care for reducing it immediately.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of high cholesterol are discomfort in legs while walking or jogging, changes in color of the skin which is prominent near the corner of the eyes. Normally the substance gets deposited distinctly on the corners of the eyes. If you have these symptoms, it is high time that you need to consult your doctor. Avoid taking fatty foods like red meat, beef, bakery items and dairy products to manage the LDL proteins in blood. Follow the medications and diet prescribed by your family physician to control the cholesterol.