Highs and Lows of Cholesterol

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.