Effects of Cholesterol on the Body
Cholesterol is defined as a waxy substance which is found in the body cells and blood. While your body needs cholesterol for building healthy cells, having high cholesterol can increase your risk of developing heart diseases.
Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs, but the body can also get it directly from foods such as meat, eggs, and dairy products. On the other hand, excess cholesterol can have adverse effects on your overall health.
Cholesterol is carried through your blood as spherical particles called lipoproteins, which come in two forms:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): It is called bad cholesterol as it builds up in the walls of your arteries, clogging them and making them less flexible.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL): It is called good cholesterol as it transports excess cholesterol from other parts of the body back to your liver. Your liver then removes it from the body.
Causes of High Cholesterol
As your liver produces cholesterol, eating too many foods that are high in fats can also increase your levels of cholesterol. Other factors which may increase your risk of high cholesterol include obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, inactivity, diabetes, high blood pressure, family history, etc.
High cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries. Due to this condition, your heart has to work harder to push the blood through the arteries. As a result, plaque builds up in your arteries over time which may lead to the development of heart diseases.
Excess cholesterol in the arteries can also lead to strokes – a disturbance in the blood flow that can damage parts of the brain, leading to loss of memory, movement, difficulty in speech, and other functions. Moreover, excess cholesterol can also result in the formation of painful gallstones.
How to Prevent High Cholesterol?
Exercising and making healthy food choices are the two major ways to minimize your risk of developing high cholesterol.
Look for foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts, almonds, salmon and herring. Also, you can change your vegetable oil to a heart healthy oil like canola oil. Canola oil is produced from rapeseed which is low in erucic acid. It is high in Omega-3, MUFA (Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acids) and antioxidants, and is considered an ideal oil for cooking purposes.
Try to reduce the intake of foods that are high in saturated fats such as dairy products and red meat. Also, go for healthy fats which are found in avocados, nuts, and low-fat dairy items.
Inactivity can be really dangerous. Go for a daily walk and join yoga. Set a target of 30 minutes of exercise every day. All this will definitely help in raising your good cholesterol.
A sedentary lifestyle and poor food habits can destroy your body. You can enjoy your life only when you have a sound body. Therefore, protect it by making a few good choices like introducing Hudson canola oil into your lives.
