Cholesterol has many parts to it.. Hdl, ldl, and triglycerides. These can be broken down as well.
Risk factors for poor outcomes, according to medical data, are coupled with high blood pressure, diabetes and other health issues. stress on arteries, as in high blood pressure, are damaged and plugged with many things, platelets, and plaque.. like mending a hose with a crack. The patch causes buildup inside of your arteries. Some can break off, causing a problem somewhere else in your body. Some can block the flow of blood.
Medications can lower your cholesterol but as well can cause side effects. Muscle pain and damage being common.
Sometimes, cholesterol can be brought to good values by changing your diet, and increasing physical activity, approved first by your physician.
Reducing triglycerides and the bad cholesterol can be done by many people by changing your diet. Hdl, the good cholesterol, is your friend.
Cholesterol in itself is not bad. It helps to make your hormones, and the membrane on the cells that make up your body. It does many other things, the list is long.
Doctors have seen patients bring down the bad cholesterol and raise the good by changing what they eat, and getting a little more physically active. I’m not saying to become a body builder. I’m saying get off the couch and move. Walk, get on an indoor or outdoor bike, clean the house.
If you read about eating a mostly plant based diet, this will bring down your numbers. It means eating fresh veggies, fruits and grains, as tolerated, and having a small amount of healthy lean protein compared to vegetables on your plate. Your plate should be 75% veggies and 25% lean protein. Just an example..Fruits have sugar but there are low glycemic ones..The results are startling to many. It takes a little time to see the results so be patient. Some choose to be vegetarian. I see you shaking your head. This includes excluding meat and poultry, but can include eggs, aged cheese and yogurt, and fish. Some decide to go full vegan which means consuming all plant based foods, but large amounts of it to get the body what it needs. Humans sometimes can’t extract all the body needs like animals do from plants, and lack essentials like vitamin b12, which must be taken. It is available in many non vegetarian items like meat and eggs, and added to processed foods. As we age, our ability to extract nutrients from foods has a decline. So following with a physician knowledgeable in this area is indeed helpful. A nutritionist as well is a great asset.
If you have high cholesterol, then it’s a good idea to discuss a plan with your doc. It can mean saying farewell to that 16oz steak at Peter Lugers. ( New Yorkers you get that!) and bye bye bacon, unhealthy processed foods full of things that aren’t really good for you. And no, eating a Big Mac with what they call cheese and bacon is not remedied by a bowl of Cheerios..But, one thing at a time. Start with a workup at your physician or cardiologist office. Talk with them. They will tell you that diet and activity is the most influential part of your health.
I’ve seen people take better care of their cars than their own body. Your body is the finest machine ever built.
Instead of a “ diet”, try to learn how to eat well forever. You will get to your bodies good weight without trying. Being at a good weight can bring about good health..Just by eating what your body needs. It can heal itself if given the right fuel. Really.
Small steps. Instead of canned fruits and veggies, go to the produce section. Buy fresh, and pesticide free if you can. Local and seasonal. Pasture raised meat, lean. No, not bacon. Fresh wild fish high in omega 3. Salmon, sardines, herring and more. Read up. Olive oil. Grass fed dairy.
You will feel better. Your future body will thank you. Please try.
Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food... Hippocrates.