Causes of High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the lipids in our body. They are important as they form cell membranes, certain hormones, and are required in other functions of the body. However, when the cholesterol exceeds recommended levels, it becomes a medical condition referred to as hyperchloresterolemia, which triggers cardiovascular diseases.

To assess the levels of cholesterol in the blood we often find doctors referring to amounts of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in blood. Cholesterols do not dissolve in the blood. They are carried in the blood attached to certain proteins to form the High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and the Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). HDL lipoprotein is referred to as the 'good' cholesterol whereas LDL lipoprotein is called the 'bad' cholesterol. This is because HDL reduces the chances of cholesterol being deposited on blood vessels, whereas LDL cholesterol does just the opposite, thereby raising the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

What Causes High Cholesterol

Eating Habits
Saturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids are the main culprits of raising the level of the 'bad' LDL cholesterol in our body. Animal products like beef, pork, whole milk and egg yolk are rich sources of saturated fatty acids, whereas processed and fried foods contain high levels of trans-fatty acids. Eating these items increase our blood cholesterol way beyond the recommended levels. Hence avoiding these food items and including more of fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibers in our diet can help us check the blood cholesterol level.

Physical Inactivity
Regular exercise is very beneficial in maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol in blood. Not only does it strengthen one's muscles and increase stamina, but it also reduces the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and increases the amount of good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) in our body.

Body Weight
Excess weight tends to increase the amount of LDL and triglycerides in the body. If the body gets higher supply of calories than are actually used, then the excess calories get stored as fats (triglycerides) in the cells of the body. Obesity increases the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes that may lead to heart diseases. Overweight people do not have enough amount of HDL in their blood. Weight loss helps in increasing the levels of HDL and reduces the triglycerides in the body.

Genetic Factors
Genes play a key role in the levels of cholesterol in the blood by deciding how fast LDL is made and processed out from blood. Sometimes high levels of blood cholesterol runs in families. Such a condition is known as 'familial hypercholesterolemia'. People suffering from such conditions are very prone to high levels of cholesterol in their blood. They are more likely to react to lifestyle factors like poor eating habits and leading a sedentary lifestyle than other people would. Also, people who have a family history of diabetes tend to have high levels of triglycerides that push the cholesterol levels up in the blood.

Age
As we age, the ability of the body to naturally maintain the correct levels of cholesterol diminishes. This leaves them prone to develop an imbalance in cholesterol levels in the blood. Hence, leading a healthy lifestyle from early years is advisable, so that even when one ages, the body systems are strong enough to help lead a healthy life.

Gender
Men are found to be more predisposed to developing higher levels of cholesterol in blood than women. This fact is because the hormones in women tend to boost the HDL cholesterol levels in blood. However, levels of HDL cholesterol decreases in women after they have menopause. Taking estrogen after menopause helps women to keep their cholesterol levels in check.

Stress
A high relation between stress and cholesterol levels in blood has been observed. One reason is perhaps that stress tends to affect our lifestyle in a negative way. Many of us tend to binge on fatty foods and take up smoking and drinking as a way to relieve tension. All these lead to high cholesterol levels in blood making us susceptible to other heart diseases.

Smoking
Smoking lowers the levels of HDL cholesterol in the blood and increases the risk of blood clot. It makes the smoker more prone to other heart and lung diseases too. For people who have a genetic disposition for suffering from heart diseases, smoking provides the congenial environment for those diseases to develop.

Alcohol Consumption
Moderate consumption of alcohol (1-2 drinks daily) increases the levels of HDL cholesterol in blood. However, it does not lower the amount of LDL cholesterol. Although drinking alcohol in moderation is considered to prevent heart diseases, no consensus has been reached by the medical fraternity regarding this belief. In fact drinking too much alcohol raises triglyceride levels and increases blood pressure.

Just as vitamins and minerals are important to strengthen our immune system, so are fats and carbohydrates. So it is important that we include different types of food in our diet. However, whatever we do or eat should be in moderation as an excess of anything upsets the balance of nutrients, exercise and rest required by our body.