The Silent Killer.
Cholesterol has a bad reputation. And for good reason. Although, this rep is a bit misleading… because that waxy, fat-like substance is found in just about every cell in your body. We quite literally need it to build new cells, vitamins, and produce hormones. I’m even talkin’ the heavy hitters you’ve probably heard of, like testosterone and estrogen. They all come from cholesterol.
Alright then, so why is your doctor always bringing it up like you’re one hamburger away from keeling over? Well, that’s the dark side of the little guys…
When we have too much cholesterol in our bloodstream, it gets help from some other substances floating around and together they begin to create plaque buildup in your arteries. This plaque will then continue to build if not addressed, restricting, or worse, cutting off blood flow. And I’m assuming you know how important it is that your blood flows without issue.
The Types & Ranges of Cholesterol:
Types:
Cholesterol travels through the blood attached to proteins, forming particles called lipoproteins.
-LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Deemed the "bad" cholesterol. High levels lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
-HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): Considered the "good" cholesterol. HDL carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver to be processed, which lowers heart disease risk.
-Triglycerides: A type of fat in the blood that your body uses for energy. High levels, combined with high LDL, can also increase cardiovascular risk.
Ranges:
Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL).
Ideal targets generally include:
-Total Cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL
-LDL Cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL
-HDL Cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or higher
-Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL
So How Do I Reduce & Prevent The Negative Stuff?
Well, a good start to reducing current plaque buildup, along with preventing it altogether, is increasing your fiber intake (preferably from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables), ensuring your fat sources follow the 80/20-ish rule (80% from unsaturated sources, i.e., olive oil, and 20% from saturated sources, i.e., animal products), exercising regularly (both aerobic and anaerobic), and maintaining a healthy weight.
Dietary cholesterol isn’t the culprit. Most of the issue stems from an unbalanced intake of fats as a whole, obviously leaning toward a higher intake of saturated fats. Especially if you eat plenty of highly or ultra-processed foods... which, fun fact, can contain trans fats even if the label doesn’t explicitly list them. This type of fat is linked to substantially increasing your LDL levels.
“Health is the greatest of human blessings.”
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Get Blood-Work Done, If:
High cholesterol typically causes no symptoms in its early stages, often called a "silent" condition, and is only discovered with blood tests.
Unfortunately when symptoms do appear, it is usually because high levels have caused significant plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) or a serious cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke.
Common Symptoms of Advanced High Cholesterol
-Chest Pain (Angina): Tightness, pressure, or discomfort in the chest caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
-Leg Pain or Cramps: Pain while walking (peripheral artery disease) due to narrowed arteries in the legs.
-Shortness of Breath: Occurring during exertion or sometimes at rest.
-Fatigue and Dizziness: Feeling unusually tired or lightheaded.
-Numbness or Tingling: Sensations in hands or feet, indicating restricted circulation.
Take Care Of Your Health.