What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a kind of fat (lipid) present in your blood. Your cells need cholesterol to function normally, and your body makes it. However, you also get extra cholesterol from fatty foods that you consume.
When you have more than the required amount of cholesterol in your body, it starts building up in your arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. This may further lead to heart and blood flow problems like blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
The condition of suffering from high cholesterol is medically termed hypercholesterolemia.
There are mainly two types of cholesterol:
- Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) – LDL is the bad cholesterol that increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) – HDL is the good cholesterol that reduces your risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
- Let us now look at the factors (other than your diet) that may lead to high levels of bad cholesterol and lower levels of good cholesterol.
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What Causes High Cholesterol?
The following are the most common factors that affect your cholesterol levels:
- Foods Rich In Saturated And Trans Fats: Consuming these foods regularly can increase the levels of LDL or bad cholesterol.
- Overweight: Being overweight can lower the levels of good cholesterol and increase the levels of bad cholesterol.
- Inactivity: Not exercising and being inactive can increase your LDL levels and increase HDL levels.
- Age: Cholesterol (LDL) levels usually begin to rise after 20 years.
- Family History: Those with a family history of high cholesterol levels are prone to the condition.
Signs And Symptoms Of High Cholesterol
Most of the time, you may not know that you have high cholesterol levels until you get yourself tested.
In some cases, individuals find out about their high cholesterol levels only after suffering a stroke or heart attack. However, such situations only occur when high cholesterol levels lead to the formation of plaque.
Given below are the varying cholesterol levels that range from normal to high.
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Cholesterol Levels
A blood test is almost the only way to find out if your cholesterol is too high.
- High Cholesterol – Above 240 mg/dl
- Borderline High Cholesterol – 200-239 mg/dl
- Normal Cholesterol – Below 200 mg/dl
Today, most individuals suffer from high cholesterol levels and are thus at high risk of heart attacks and strokes. Hence, the earlier you bring down your cholesterol levels, the better it is for your health. Here are a few home remedies that can help you lower bad cholesterol levels naturally.
15 Natural Ways To Lower Your Cholesterol
The usage of the following can cause you to lower your cholesterol and keep it level.
- Essential Oils
- Vitamins
- Fish Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Garlic
- Green Tea
- Yogurt
- Chia Seeds
- Grapefruit Juice
- Orange Juice
- Pomegranate Juice
- Lemon Juice
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Flax Seeds
- Celery Juice
