When we think of cholesterol, it’s usually the same.
Bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol. Lower your levels if you’ve got issues, take meds when you can’t control them, and try to eat the right diet.
But did you know cholesterol might not be the big bad wolf some make it out to be? In fact, this complex molecule is absolutely vital to your overall health.
There’s a lotta misconceptions swirling around, so if you aren’t careful, you might fall for ’em. Let’s break down five important truths right away…
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1. Cholesterol is Essential
A type of lipid, fat-like substance, cholesterol is necessary for the production of your cell membranes. It’s also necessary for creating hormones and helping your body to digest fat. In other words, your body simply wouldn’t work without cholesterol.
Whether it’s testosterone, vitamin D for your bone health, or the ability of your cells to communicate, cholesterol handles a wide range of functions. In fact, if you’re low on the right levels of cholesterol, your immune system and metabolism can go haywire.
So make sure you talk to your doc about the different types.
2. Different Types of Cholesterol
Cholesterol moves through your body in what are called lipoproteins. When it comes to categorizing cholesterol, you’ve got low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is considered ‘bad’ because it can accumulate in your arteries and cause problems like strokes and heart attacks.
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HDL, meanwhile, is typically considered ‘good’ because it works by removing too much cholesterol from your blood. From there, this excess goes to your liver and is eliminated. For people with higher levels of HDL, the risks of cardiovascular issues are usually lower.
But remember, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Likewise, too little cholesterol can lead to imbalances. Not sure where you lie? Discuss with your doctor where your levels fall within the normal ranges.
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3. Dietary vs Blood Cholesterol
Many people don’t realize it but there’s a major difference between blood cholesterol circulating inside you and the cholesterol you ingest from foods. Turns out, that eating cholesterol or not eating cholesterol doesn’t substantially change your blood cholesterol levels.
What does, instead, is eating saturated and trans fats. These affect your LDL levels more than anything. In fact, when you consume excess cholesterol, your liver actually downregulates, producing less to strike a balance.
If you wanna make a real difference in your blood cholesterol levels, try this. Rather than cut back on foods rich in cholesterol, try to cut back on saturated and trans fats, which are found in foods like red meat, baked goods, and processed items.
4. Symptoms Can Be Silent
We often hear that high blood pressure is a silent killer, but so too is high cholesterol. Many people with exceedingly high levels may never even know it. This is why blood test screening is so important.
Regular health visits will also help you determine if you have what’s called familial hypercholesterolemia. If you have this genetic condition, you will likely have high blood cholesterol levels early in life. If not addressed, this can cause serious health issues.
In other words, it’s a no-brainer. Get checked up consistently, look out for risk factors like hypertension and obesity, and try to limit your trans and saturated fats.
5. Lifestyle Changes Can Be HUGE
As previously mentioned, dieting can help but only if you’re focused on dietary fats over dietary cholesterol. Eating a balanced diet rich in all the food groups is very important. Consider healthier fats from foods like avocado, seeds, nuts, and even olive oil. And cut down on fried and processed stuff!
Another lifestyle change is to opt for ~150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. This will get your heart and blood pumping, but not too hard to be an issue. If you can pair this with abstinence from cigarettes, then you’ll really be in good shape!
Aside from that, try to keep your weight at a sustainably healthy level. Don’t go hard on booze and drugs – obviously – because even a few drinks can increase triglyceride levels, which is bad for the heart.
Overall, controlling your cholesterol is about understanding what is really going on. If at any point, you’re confused or unsure, ask your doctor. Many misconceptions surround this topic, so it’s important that you get the facts.
The best thing you can do is avoid processed junk food, exercise moderately and consistently, and avoid vices like excessive drinking. If you can get on a plan to do that, you’ll be well on your way to safer, sounder, happier living!
