Cholesterol – The Buzzword

Cholesterol is the most widely talked about buzzword in fitness circles. Given the immense attention it has received, the word cholesterol can trigger disturbing images of heart failure and other serious health conditions. But the truth is, there is a lot more to cholesterol than what is actually known. This vital body lipid present in cell membranes is vital for synthesis of sex hormones, production of adrenal gland hormones, bile, metabolism of fat soluble vitamins, insulation of nerves and synthesis of vitamin D from sunshine.

However, it is important to know that cholesterol has two sides to it - that good cholesterol or High Density Lipoprotein clears arterial congestions and takes cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver. Bad cholesterol or Low Density Lipoprotein carries cholesterol from liver cells, and if present in high level, it can cause a build-up of LDL along the arteries leading to a host of heart ailments - angina, stroke, heart failure, narrowing of arteries and coronary heart disease.

Should you be concerned?
Yes. Cholesterol is one of the most widely explored links between coronary heart disease and the eventual failure of the heart leading to death. The presence of cholesterol will only increase the risk of heart disease for someone expecting it or already diagnosed by it, experts confirm. Medical research by WHO indicates that a staggering 2.6 million deaths occur due to raised levels of cholesterol in blood. Under sample population taken from all economic backgrounds, it was noticed by the WHO that raised cholesterol levels were found to be the highest in high income group countries. Other researchers indicate that men tend to have more LDL than women, before the age of 50. Genetics too have their role to play in raised cholesterol levels, and parents with a history of cholesterol have been known to pass on this trait to their progeny.

You can prevent cholesterol!
As any doctor will tell you, one of the primary reasons for increased levels of cholesterol in your blood would be lifestyle, and especially food habits. High fat diets are a strict no-no (which means red meat, eggs, fried nuts, chocolate, whole milk dairy products, certain shell fish like shrimp and organ meats are to be reduced.) Palm oil and coconut oil among the vegetable based foods are also to be avoided. Low impact to aerobic exercises or basically any physical exercise is proven to help fight cholesterol accumulation. Physical activity is helpful in losing fat weight, preventing plaque formation on arterial walls, burn calories and increase metabolism.

Smoking should be avoided as it is known to dilute HDL and raise cholesterol levels in the body. Other lifestyle problems such as stress, depression, anxiety are also among the many causes of cholesterol linked diseases. A healthy relaxation practice coupled with stress reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, guided meditation can help in a long way towards fighting cholesterol rise.

What to do if you have high cholesterol?
First and foremost, a thorough medical check-up is required to assess the body lipids composition and depending on the results received, medication is advised. However, the most medication, in the form of drugs, is statins, nicotinic acid, fibrates, ezetimibe and bile acid sequestrants. Statins are used to lower LDL content by 30 to 40 per cent in the blood vessels, and help raise HDL content. Nicotinic Acid is vitamin B which helps in increasing HDL and decreasing LDL and triglycerides (other blood fats), ezetimibe is used to help reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed at the intestines and is generally used in combination with frates, statins and nicotinic acid to lower LDL and triglyceride content in blood.

While medication has also proven to show side effects such as memory loss and increase a chance of developing diabetes by nine per cent, doctors generally recommend a pro-fitness regime method of lowering cholesterol, beginning with austerity measures in one’s diet, healthy eating, exercise, avoiding over consumption of alcohol, quitting smoking and encouraging de-stressing programs such as meditation, for both physical and mental well-being. Cholesterol may be a killer, but it does not take much to fight it. All it needs is a little perseverance and care for one’s own body. more