Cholesterol is an essential substance in our body that helps us in various ways. It is important for the formation of cell membranes, producing hormones, and digestion of food.

However, it is vital to maintain a healthy balance of cholesterol levels in our body. This visual guide will help you understand cholesterol, its types, causes, effects, and ways to maintain healthy levels.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that belongs to the lipid family. Lipids are fat-like molecules that are essential for the proper functioning of our body. Cholesterol is found in every cell of our body, and our body continuously produces it.

It also comes from the food we eat, and the liver regulates cholesterol levels in our body.

Types of Cholesterol

There are two types of cholesterol: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). LDL is known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, while HDL is known as ‘good’ cholesterol.

LDL cholesterol gets deposited on the walls of arteries and leads to the formation of plaques that narrow the arteries. This process is known as atherosclerosis, and it leads to various heart diseases.

High levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

HDL cholesterol helps in removing the excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and sends it back to the liver. From there, it is removed from the body, thus preventing the formation of plaques and heart diseases.

High levels of HDL cholesterol are beneficial for our heart.

Causes of High Cholesterol

Various factors can lead to high cholesterol levels in our body. Some of them are:.

Poor Diet: Eating foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and processed foods can increase cholesterol levels.
Lack of Exercise: Physical activity helps in increasing HDL cholesterol levels, and lack of exercise can decrease it.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese can increase LDL cholesterol levels and decrease HDL cholesterol levels.
Smoking: Smoking damages the blood vessels and decreases the levels of HDL cholesterol in our body.
Genetics: Sometimes, high cholesterol levels can be inherited from genes.

Effects of High Cholesterol

High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to various heart diseases, such as:.

Coronary artery disease: Narrowing of arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Angina: Chest pain due to insufficient blood supply to the heart.
Heart attack: Sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart, leading to heart muscle damage.
Stroke: Sudden blockage of blood flow to the brain.

In addition to these, high cholesterol levels can also lead to peripheral artery disease, which is a condition where arteries supplying blood to the legs and arms get narrowed.

Ways to Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels

Some ways to maintain healthy cholesterol levels are:.

Healthy Diet: Eat foods that are low in saturated and trans fats, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and fish.
Exercise: Regular physical activity can increase HDL cholesterol levels.
Quit Smoking: Smoking damages the blood vessels and decreases HDL cholesterol levels.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight or obese can increase LDL cholesterol levels and decrease HDL cholesterol levels.
Medications: In some cases, medications such as statins can be prescribed to lower cholesterol levels.

Takeaway

Cholesterol is an essential substance in our body, and it is vital to maintain healthy levels of it to prevent various heart diseases and other health problems.

Understanding the types, causes, effects, and ways to maintain healthy cholesterol levels can go a long way in ensuring good heart health.