What causes high cholesterol? There are two main types of cholesterol in the body: LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol - or 'bad' cholesterol as it is often known; and HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol, often known as 'good' cholesterol.
In trying to achieve or maintain normal levels of cholesterol we want to lower the levels of LDL cholesterol in our blood as excess amounts of this 'bad' cholesterol causes fatty deposits on our artery walls which can lead to hardening of the arteries which can cause angina, heart attacks, strokes and other problems.
Conversely, we want to raise levels of HDL or 'good' cholesterol as plays a crucial role in helping our body to get rid of excess 'bad' cholesterol.
High cholesterol has three principle types of cause: lifestyle factors such as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and excessive drinking; treatable medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, underactive thyroid and some liver and kidney conditions; and fixed considerations such as age, gender, family history or ethnic group.
For example, 1 in 500 people have familial hypercholesterolaemia which means they inherit high cholesterol from one of their parents.
Ways to lower your cholesterol For those with certain medical conditions, such as known heart disease, diabetes, or a combination of cardiovascular risk factors, it may be necessary to take one of several different types of cholesterol lowering medication as prescribed by their doctor.
However, for everyone with cholesterol, simple changes in diet and lifestyle are essential and can significantly lower your blood cholesterol levels.
A low cholesterol diet can help to achieve lower LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream.
The American Heart Association, for example, recommends that our intake of dietary cholesterol should be under 200 milligrams a day.
Key to reducing LDL cholesterol is to eat a diet low in saturated fats as these are the main cause of excess cholesterol in the bloodstream.
Triglycerides are another type of fat found in our bloodstream - their level is usually measured in a cholesterol blood test.
They are produced by the liver and in excess can also lead to hardening of the arteries along with LDL cholesterol.
They are also found in dairy products, meat and some cooking oils - again intake of these can be cut down or avoided.
This is particularly important for those who are overweight and eat a lot of fatty or sugar foods, or drink a lot of alcohol, as they are most at risk of elevated triglyceride levels.
So, simply by cutting down or avoiding food which is high in saturated fats and/or dietary cholesterol you can make a significant impact on lowering your blood cholesterol levels.
Stop smoking! A change in diet is essential, but smoking lowers levels of the 'good' cholesterol which helps to take the 'bad' cholesterol out of your system.
As soon as you stop smoking this effect is reversed.
Exercise is also important.
Just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week of moderate cardiovascular exercise is enough to make a difference and helps to lower your blood cholesterol level simply and naturally.
In some people, exercise even increases the levels of 'good' cholesterol in their system.
Exercise and a healthy, low fat diet have the additional benefit of helping to combat excess weight which is of itself a cardiovascular risk factor.
In trying to achieve or maintain normal levels of cholesterol we want to lower the levels of LDL cholesterol in our blood as excess amounts of this 'bad' cholesterol causes fatty deposits on our artery walls which can lead to hardening of the arteries which can cause angina, heart attacks, strokes and other problems.
Conversely, we want to raise levels of HDL or 'good' cholesterol as plays a crucial role in helping our body to get rid of excess 'bad' cholesterol.
High cholesterol has three principle types of cause: lifestyle factors such as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and excessive drinking; treatable medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, underactive thyroid and some liver and kidney conditions; and fixed considerations such as age, gender, family history or ethnic group.
For example, 1 in 500 people have familial hypercholesterolaemia which means they inherit high cholesterol from one of their parents.
Ways to lower your cholesterol For those with certain medical conditions, such as known heart disease, diabetes, or a combination of cardiovascular risk factors, it may be necessary to take one of several different types of cholesterol lowering medication as prescribed by their doctor.
However, for everyone with cholesterol, simple changes in diet and lifestyle are essential and can significantly lower your blood cholesterol levels.
A low cholesterol diet can help to achieve lower LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream.
The American Heart Association, for example, recommends that our intake of dietary cholesterol should be under 200 milligrams a day.
Key to reducing LDL cholesterol is to eat a diet low in saturated fats as these are the main cause of excess cholesterol in the bloodstream.
Triglycerides are another type of fat found in our bloodstream - their level is usually measured in a cholesterol blood test.
They are produced by the liver and in excess can also lead to hardening of the arteries along with LDL cholesterol.
They are also found in dairy products, meat and some cooking oils - again intake of these can be cut down or avoided.
This is particularly important for those who are overweight and eat a lot of fatty or sugar foods, or drink a lot of alcohol, as they are most at risk of elevated triglyceride levels.
So, simply by cutting down or avoiding food which is high in saturated fats and/or dietary cholesterol you can make a significant impact on lowering your blood cholesterol levels.
Stop smoking! A change in diet is essential, but smoking lowers levels of the 'good' cholesterol which helps to take the 'bad' cholesterol out of your system.
As soon as you stop smoking this effect is reversed.
Exercise is also important.
Just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week of moderate cardiovascular exercise is enough to make a difference and helps to lower your blood cholesterol level simply and naturally.
In some people, exercise even increases the levels of 'good' cholesterol in their system.
Exercise and a healthy, low fat diet have the additional benefit of helping to combat excess weight which is of itself a cardiovascular risk factor.