When we hear cholesterol, we
immediately link it to fatty foods and poor health. Cholesterol has always been
put in bad light, yet there are some beneficial facts about it. Central Clinic
offers screening services that will help determine if your cholesterol level is
in the pink, or red of health. Our doctors are always ready to dispense helpful
advice in improving your health. Let us discuss more on this topic.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of fat
produced by the liver to help digest foods, produce
hormones and to protect our cells. Not many recognize cholesterol as an
essential part of the body. Our body produces about 1,000 milligrams of
cholesterol a day, rendering sufficiency for us not to consume foods containing
cholesterol. Yet this is hard to avoid consumption when so many foods contain
it.
There are two types of
cholesterol: blood cholesterol that
circulates around your body and dietary
cholesterol that derives from animal sources. About 20% of the cholesterol
in your blood comes from eating foods containing cholesterol. Few realise that dietary cholesterol has
slight effect on one’s health. Rather, family history,
diabetes and thyroid, kidney or liver disease, smoking, lack of exercise,
obesity and high fat diets are major contributors to elevated cholesterol
levels. It is important to reduce blood cholesterol to a healthy
level especially if it runs in the family.
Lipoproteins
Since
cholesterol itself is unable to travel through the bloodstream without a
medium, it has to combine with molecules called lipoproteins. It is made up of
lipid and protein. There are two important types of lipoproteins:
- LDL (low density lipoprotein)- also known as “bad cholesterol”, it carries cholesterol from the liver to cells, and when there is excess of cholesterol the blood vessels are clogged, keeping blood from flowing through the body. This increases the risk of heart diseases if levels are too high. Saturated fat and trans fatty acids are mainly responsible for increasing total and LDL (bad) blood cholesterol levels. Foods include meat, egg yolks, whole milk diary products, and foods that contain hydrogenated fat, including palm or coconut oils.
- HDL (high density lipoprotein)- also known as “good cholesterol”, transports cholesterol back to the liver where it is broken down and excreted as waste product. Monounsaturated fats, commonly found in canola, olive and peanut oils while polyunsaturated fats found in oils made from sunflowers, safflowers, corn, soybeans, help decrease total and LDL blood cholesterol. Include more of these oils in your diet to maintain good health.
The better approach to
having an all-rounded diet is to not completely eradicate cholesterol foods as
this can prevent you from getting essential nutrients
such as calcium, protein, iron, zinc or B-vitamins. Key is to focus on reducing
your total fat intake.
Should I worry about high
cholesterol?
By now you would have
realised there are more dangers linked to unhealthy cholesterol levels. Most
health issues relate to heart diseases. When your LDL is high, it can cause:
- Atherosclerosis- hardening or narrowing of blood vessels
- Heart attack- lack of blood supply causes heart muscle to die or incur permanent damage
- Angina- chest pain when heart does not receive sufficient blood
- Stroke- blood flow to the brain is obstructed, causing permanent injury or death
Our doctors will be able to advise if you are
at risk of any cholesterol-related disease when you arrange for a screening at
our clinic.
How
can I achieve healthier cholesterol levels?
- Exercising regularly strengthens your heart, lowers cholesterol, and helps you maintain a healthy weight.
- Quitting smoking can help decrease the risk of heart disease.
- Include more high fibre foods in your diet.
- Replace saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats. Use vegetable oil or trans fat-free margarine instead of butter or shortening. Avoid products that contain hydrogenated vegetable oils.
- Get sufficient rest at night.
If you are feeling worried
about your cholesterol levels, do not hesitate to make an appointment at any of
our clinics. At Central
Clinic, our doctors will assist you with your health screening and discuss
which treatment is best for you. You can contact us using the
Enquiry and Feedback Form on our website www.centralclinic.com.sg or drop us an email
at enquiries@centralclinic.com.sg.
