A Simple Guide to High Cholesterol

A Simple Guide to High Cholesterol
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What is High Cholesterol?
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High Cholesterol is the presence of raised amount of total cholesterol in the blood( blood total cholesterol above 200mg/dl).


What is the cause of High Cholesterol?
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Cholesterol is a fat molecule in the body which is needed for many normal body functions.

It is produced mostly in the liver and is present in the cell walls and membranes of the brain, nerves, muscles, skin, heart ,intestine and of course liver.

Cholesterol is used by the body to make the body's hormones(male and female) and bile acids used to digest fats.

20-30% of the cholesterol comes from the food that is eaten.

Animal Fat:
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1.A diet high in saturated fat mainly animal fat, butter, lard

2.Trans-fatty acids in fast food and processed foods

Animal organs:
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Brains of pigs, sheep, fish are particularly high in lipoproteins and fat

Liver, skin fat, etc

Egg yolk:
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Egg yolk and products containing egg yolk like fish roe, cakes, icecream,

Dairy Products:
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full cream milk

Certain other food:
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Peanut butter, peanut oils, coconut oil

Genetic factors - Familial hypercholesterolemia has been known for high cholesterol in families

What is the diagnosis of high cholesterol?
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A blood test for lipid profile measures :

1.total cholesterol

2.LDL (low-density lipoprotein [the bad cholesterol]),

3.HDL (high-density lipoprotein [the good cholesterol])

4. triglycerides—another fatty substance in the blood.

High lipid readings are when the
1.total cholesterol in your blood is more than 200mg/dL,

2.LDL cholesterol is more than 130 mg/dL (130-159 is borderline high; 160 is high; 190 is very high).

3.HDL, the "good cholesterol," should be around 40 mg/dL or greater.
With HDL, the higher the number, the better, and 60 mg/dL is protective against heart disease.

4.Triglycerides is more than 200 mg/dL

What is the danger of High Cholesterol?
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The excess cholesterol will then be deposited in the arterial walls causing narrowing of the arteries and reducing the blood flow to the heart, kidney and the brain.

Therefore any thickening of the arterial wall of blood vessels to the heart, kidney or brain as a result of deposit of cholesterol deposited in the wall of these arteries will reduce the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the heart, kidney or brain resulting in heart attack, kidney failure or stroke.

What is the Treatment of High Cholesterol?
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1.Dietary and lifestyle modification

2. Medications:

1. statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) has been found to reduce high cholesterol fairly fast especially the more potent ones such as LIpitor and Crestor.
However they also have more side effects particularly damage to the liver(hepatitis) and muscles(myopathy)

2.fibrates is preferred especially if the triglycerides is high or if the patient has liver problem.
Lipanthyl (a fibrate) has been found to be as effective if not more effective than statins.
Side effects are myopathy.

3.Combination treatment of statins and fibrates are more effective but have more side effects such as increased myopathy and rhabdomyolysis in addition to hepatitis.

4.ezetimibe, niacin, bile acid sequestrants, plant sterol-containing products have also been used together with statins for better effect.

Treatment Regime:
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1. Total cholesterol is less than 250mg/dl: Diet and weight control is sufficient.

2.Total cholesterol is 250-300mg/dl: Diet and weight control is a must.
If associated risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity and smoking is present, drug therapy is necessary.

3:Total cholesterol is more than 300mg/dl:
drug therapy together with diet and weight control is required.


How to prevent High Cholesterol?
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Diet Control
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1. Reduce intake of fatty meats
Eat lean meat and poultry

2. Avoid organs of animals especially liver, brain
Eat more beans, peas or bean cursd

3. Avoid seafood especially prawns, crabs, lobsters,squids'
Take more fish

4. Avoid deep fried food
Take more steamed food and non-creamy soups

5. Avoid lard and butter
Take margarine or polyunsaturated vegetable oils

6. Avoid creams, coconut milk, cakes
Eat Fish oils(omega 3) ,garlic

7. Avoid alcohol, excess rice, jams, sugars, sweets
Eat more fruits and vegetables

Weight control:
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Reduce the calories in food

Mild to strenous exercise

Avoid stress which can sometimes make you eat more.