Cholesterol is a type of fat that is present in the blood. It is important for the formation of healthy cells. Although the body needs a sufficient amount of cholesterol, high levels put health at risk.
This condition has no symptoms. That is why there are people who suffer from it and do not know it. This is dangerous because if treatment is not started early, you can have a heart attack or stroke. “With high cholesterol, you may get fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Over time, these deposits grow and make it more difficult for enough blood to flow through the arteries. Sometimes those deposits can suddenly rupture and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke. Mayo Clinicnon-profit entity dedicated to clinical practice, education and research.
The National Institutes of Health of the United States mention that one of the most important steps to regulate cholesterol is to have a balanced diet. Some basic recommendations include:
- “Eat a variety of foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain cereals.
- Limit calories from fat to 35 percent or less of your total daily calorie intake.
- Limit foods with cholesterol, such as egg yolks.
- Eat foods that have fiber, like whole grains.”
How to regulate high cholesterol levels?
In addition to making lifestyle changes, it’s important to follow your doctor’s recommendations, especially if medication is prescribed. “Almost all cholesterol medications are pills. Some come as a powder to mix with drinks. Some are taken once a day. Others need to be taken more often. With some combinations, the drugs cannot be taken at the same time. Ask your doctor or nurse what type of schedule will be most convenient for you, ”says the National Institutes of Health of the United States.
Some people resort to the preparation of home remedies to regulate these levels. It is important to know that you should consult a doctor before consuming them, to avoid complications in your health.
For example, ginseng is a medicinal plant that has different positive effects on people’s health. In accordance with your health, portal specialized in health, has ginsenosides, substances that give it properties that help revitalize the body.
Additionally, “it is excellent for maintaining blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and improving blood circulation”, details the website.
The recommended consumption of this plant is 8 grams. You should consult a doctor before taking it, especially if you have an illness or health condition.
Other benefits include:
- Calm stress.
- Stimulate brain cells.
- Contribute to the prevention of the flu.
- Reduce fatigue.
- Improve circulation.
types of cholesterol
When performing a blood test, the results show different elements:
- Total cholesterol: Total amount of cholesterol in the blood. It includes both types: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
- Bad cholesterol (LDL): The one that builds up in your arteries and clogs them.
- Good cholesterol (HDL): Helps remove cholesterol from your arteries.
- Non-HDL: This number is your total cholesterol minus your good cholesterol (HDL). Your non-HDL cholesterol includes bad cholesterol (LDL) and other types of cholesterol, such as very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL).
- Triglycerides: Another type of fat in your blood that can increase your risk of heart disease, especially in women.