26/10/2021
EFFECT OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL IN THE BODY
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.
With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits grow, making it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries. Sometimes, those deposits can break suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL FOOD TO AVOID
👉 Red meat (Steak, beef roast, ribs, pork chops and ground beef)
👉Full-fat dairy (Whole milk, butter and full-fat yogurt and cheese)
👉Processed meat (bacon, sausage and hot dogs)
👉Fried foods (French fries, fried chicken with skin and other foods cooked in a deep fryer)
👉Baked goods and sweets (Cookies, cakes and doughnuts)
FOOD TO EAT TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL
👉Oats
👉Barley and other whole grains
👉Beans
👉Eggplant and okra
👉Vegetable oils
👉Foods fortified with sterols and stanols
👉Apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits
👉Fatty fish
FACTORS THAT CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF UNHEALTHY CHOLESTEROL LEVELS INCLUDE:
👉Obesity
👉Poor diet
👉Lack of exercise
👉Age
👉Smoking, etc
OTHER CAUSES OF INCREASED CHOLESTEROL LEVEL
Cholesterol levels can also be worsened by some types of medications you may be taking for other health problems, such as:
👉Acne
👉Cancer
👉High blood pressure
👉HIV/AIDS
👉Irregular heart rhythms
👉Organ transplants
COMPLICATIONS
High cholesterol can cause a dangerous accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of your arteries (atherosclerosis). These deposits (plaques) can reduce blood flow through your arteries, which can cause complications, such as:
👉Chest pain
👉Heart attack
👉Stroke, e.t.c.
PREVENTION
The same heart-healthy lifestyle changes that can lower your cholesterol can help prevent you from having high cholesterol in the first place. To help prevent high cholesterol, you can:
👉Eat a low-salt diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains
👉Limit the amount of animal fats and use good fats in moderation
👉Lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight
👉Quit smoking
👉Exercise on most days of the week for at least 30 minutes
👉Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all
👉Manage stress
