Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in the body’s cells. It is vital for building cell membranes, producing hormones, and creating materials that help digest food. Maintaining a cholesterol balance is necessary because too much bad cholesterol can increase the risk of heart problems. Therefore, let’s learn about how Spooky2 can help you keep normal cholesterol levels in this article.
Causes of High Cholesterol
Cholesterol travels in the bloodstream and is attached to proteins, forming a substance called lipoprotein. There are two main types of cholesterol based on what the lipoprotein transports, including:
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) – “good” cholesterol
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – “bad” cholesterol
Many factors and health conditions contribute to harmful cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat that can also promote the development of heart problems when its level is high. For example:
- lack of exercise
- obesity
- an unhealthy diet with too much fat
- smoking
- drinking alcohol
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- birth control pills
Abnormal cholesterol levels can happen in young children, but it’s more common in adults over 40 because the liver’s ability to remove LDL cholesterol decreases with aging.
Complications of High Cholesterol
High cholesterol can lead to a dangerous accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits along artery walls, restricting blood flow within the arteries and potentially resulting in complications such as:
- chest pain
- heart conditions
- stroke
- peripheral artery problems
Ways to Reduce the Risk of High Cholesterol
There are several steps you can take to improve your cholesterol levels and lessen the potential damage caused by high cholesterol:
- avoid smoking
- eat a low-salt diet
- maintain a healthy weight
- exercise regularly
- avoid drinking too much alcohol
- manage stress
If you have a heart problem or diabetes, you are more likely to need medicine to lower your high cholesterol levels.