Dr. Farah Ingale, Director-Internal Medicine, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi says, “There are different types of fats in the body.Cholesterol is afat that is present in the blood. It is a waxy substance, found in blood and body cells. Similarly, triglycerides are fat (lipids) found in the blood. When you eat any food item, the body converts any calories it doesn’t use into triglycerides, which are then stored in fat cells.”
Risk of high cholesterol
Various components like LDL (Low-Density Lipoproteins), a bad fat, are also called bad cholesterol as they increase the risk of stroke and cardiac arrests. On the other hand, High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is the good cholesterol that absorbs cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver. Ideally speaking, cholesterol should not be more than 150.
Ideally in older people with comorbidities, LDL level should be less than 70, both in males and females. HDL in females should be more than 50, and in males more than 40. Alternatively, it is better to have a high level of good cholesterol and a low level of bad cholesterol. To ensure that cholesterol levels are in the healthy range, having a good lifestyle with proper exercise, diet, and healthy weight is best.
Are slim people safe from high cholesterol?
According to Dr. Ingale, “If an obese person has cholesterol, they can easily control it by losing weight, which might not be possible for thin people. Every person must have good lifestyle habits like proper daily exercise, a low-fat diet focusing on salads, fruits & vegetables, reduced fried food, butter, and fatty food. Additionally, if you are a non-vegetarian, avoiding red meat and processed items from outside is best.”
All cholesterol is bad for your health
Cholesterol is an essential part of cell membranes. In addition to playing a structural role in membranes, it plays a crucial part in the synthesis of vitamin D, steroid hormones, and bile acid. Therefore, despite the fact that high levels are a risk factor for disease, without cholesterol, we would perish.
You’ll have noticeable symptoms of high cholesterol
This too is a myth. Having high cholesterol typically has no symptoms. To check for high cholesterol, it is advised to get regular blood tests. The only ‘symptoms’ that cholesterol can be linked to are those that appear later, after excessive cholesterol accumulation has already caused blockage and damage to the heart and blood vessels. Angina, heart attacks, and even abrupt death might result from this. As a result, it will be too late to display excessive cholesterol signs.
Finally, cholesterol has a genetic component, especially if LDL levels exceed 160. So thin people who exercise daily and do not consume fried fatty food may still have high cholesterol. In conclusion, if you have high cholesterol, you should stay active and exercise every day as this lifestyle can help reduce bad cholesterol and improve good cholesterol. In spite of these measures, if you are not able to control your cholesterol level, you need to take medication as per your doctor’s suggestions.
