Positive changes when cholesterol is reduced

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Tran Quoc Vinh - Emergency Doctor - Department of Resuscitation - Emergency - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
High levels of cholesterol in the blood are a risk factor that increases the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases and causes many health hazards. So when cholesterol levels are reduced and maintained at a reasonable level, what are the benefits?

1. The role of cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of fat produced in the human body. There are different types of cells that can make cholesterol, but liver cells are still the main producer, accounting for about 1⁄4 of the body's total cholesterol. And in order to function properly, the human body needs the presence of cholesterol.
In the body, cholesterol takes on three main tasks:
Supports the production of sex hormones Raw materials for the production of tissue cells Supports the excretion of bile in the liver Cholesterol has 2 main types : LDL - "bad" cholesterol and HDL- "good" cholesterol. Cholesterol is transported in the blood by subunits called lipoproteins. When cholesterol is transported by low-density fractions, we have "bad" cholesterol. When cholesterol is transported by high-density fractions, we have "good" cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, while high levels of HDL cholesterol contribute to preventing heart disease. prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Other factors that contribute to a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases include not smoking, eating healthy foods, eating less salt, getting regular physical activity, maintaining your weight and waist circumference reasonable, control the use of alcoholic beverages. Keeping your blood pressure normal (including taking medication if you have high blood pressure) is also important.

2. What factors affect cholesterol levels in the blood?

Blood cholesterol levels can vary depending on the diet, but even with the same diet, each person will have a different cholesterol level. Normally, if the diet is low in fat, cholesterol levels often drop.
In many people high cholesterol levels are caused by certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism, obesity, alcohol abuse, some rare liver and kidney disorders, and genetics.

3. Causes and risk factors for high cholesterol levels

Eating too many foods high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat increases the risk of high cholesterol. Certain lifestyle factors also contribute to high cholesterol, such as inactivity and smoking.
Heredity also plays a role. If parents have high cholesterol, their children are likely to have it too. Some genetic disorders that run in families also affect cholesterol levels.
Certain other health problems, like diabetes or hypothyroidism, can also increase your risk of high cholesterol and related complications.
Thus, the following people face a greater risk of high cholesterol:
Being overweight or obese. Unhealthy diet. Do not exercise regularly. Smoke. Family history of high cholesterol. Diabetes, kidney disease, or hypothyroidism. 3.1 What is the limit of cholesterol in the blood? Normal blood cholesterol levels should be kept at the following levels:
Total cholesterol: 5.0 mmol/L or less LDL cholesterol: 3.0 mmol/L or less HDL cholesterol: 1.2 mmol/L L or higher Total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio: 4.5 or less. The higher the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood, the greater the risk of bad health. If the blood test only checks total cholesterol levels, it can be misleading, because high total cholesterol levels can be caused by high levels of HDL cholesterol, and this is in fact beneficial to health.
Levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol need to be considered together with other pathological risk factors for a complete and complete overview. As in established cardiovascular disease, stroke or transient ischemic attack, carotid or coronary atherosclerosis, diabetes with microalbuminuria, stage III renal failure or worse.. the LDL level. The target should be less than 1.8 mmol/L, or in the case of acute coronary syndrome, the LDL level should preferably be achieved to 1.3 mmol/L.
3.2 What are the benefits if cholesterol levels are reduced? If you are at high risk for cardiovascular disease or already have heart disease, lowering your blood levels of LDL cholesterol will help reduce your risk of future cardiovascular events.
3.3 How to lower blood cholesterol levels? Changing from an unhealthy diet to a healthy one can lower your LDL cholesterol levels. However, dietary changes alone rarely reduce LDL cholesterol levels sufficiently to go from high risk factor for cardiovascular disease to low risk. Effectively lowering cholesterol levels requires a combination of dietary changes and lifestyle changes.
Good foods to eat are:
Good sources of protein from lean meat (chicken, fish,...) Foods high in fiber such as: fruits, vegetables, and whole grains processed by baking, steaming, boiling,... instead of deep-frying Foods that should be limited are:
Red meat, animal organs, dairy foods high in fat Processed foods contain cocoa butter, palm oil, coconut oil Fast food, fried food such as: french fries, onion rings, fried chicken,... Foods high in cholesterol, saturated fat, trans fat Implement and maintain a healthy lifestyle:
Limit alcohol consumption Don't smoke Maintain a healthy weight Regular exercise and sports It is extremely important to practice a healthy lifestyle right now even when risk factors are low. A healthy lifestyle here includes eating a well-balanced, healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and controlling alcohol use in moderation. These will help keep cardiovascular disease risk factors as low as possible.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is currently deploying Cardiovascular Screening service packages, including testing for blood cholesterol indicators that allow accurate assessment of cholesterol levels, thereby helping you to adjust. Diet, living, working accordingly and may be prescribed treatment if necessary.
Doctor Tran Quoc Vinh has more than 6 years of working experience (starting in 2011) in the field of Emergency Medicine, he used to work at the Emergency Department of Khanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital, participated in medical examination and treatment. for many clinics in Nha Trang area before becoming a doctor of emergency department at Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital as it is today.

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Article referenced source: patient.info