The cholesterol myth!

 

Don't ignore high cholesterol, it can be dangerous in young adults too!

Cholesterol is an important sub-type of fat. It is required for the functioning of all the vital organ systems and various body metabolisms related to macro and micro-elements. Cholesterol and other lipid sub-fractions are important for human beings and they cannot be cut down to the lowest limit of zero in the diet as well as in the blood levels of an individual.

We don't usually worry too much about the risk of heart disease until a person is in middle age. Adults as young as 20 need to pay attention to their cholesterol, because unhealthy levels may already be damaging their arteries. High cholesterol at a young age leads to heart attacks, strokes or paralysis and pancreatitis.

Causes
- Strong genetic/family history of heart disease

- Associated diabetes mellitus, hypertension

- Bad eating habits

- Excess alcohol consumption

- Overweight (lowers HDL-high-density lipoprotein and may raise LDL - low-density lipoprotein)

- Lack of regular exercise (raises LDL and lowers HDL)

- Smoking (may lower HDL by as much as 15 per cent)

- Stress levels (stress can elevate cholesterol levels).

Prevention
- Preference to protein-centric diet (derive only 30 per cent calories from fat)

- Eat more fibre-containing food.

- Consume fresh fruits.

- Intake of more fluids or water.

- Avoid consumption of bakery products, deep fried items, high-carbohydrate content foods (sweets), red meat, egg yolk, excess alcohol, excess consumption of oil and ghee products, milk products such as butter, paneer, etc, junk food items such as pasta, pizza and burgers in regular meals.