What Makes Your Cholesterol So High

People over the age of 20 are suggested to measure their cholesterol levels at least once every 5 years. But you may need to do it more frequently when high cholesterol levels are detected. Health care practitioners and the National Institute of Health recommend that your cholesterol level stay below 200. Cholesterol levels 200-239 are considered borderline high. Cholesterol levels 240 or greater are considered high. The total cholesterol measured is the sum of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, and IDL (intermediate density) cholesterol.

There are certain factors that cause high cholesterol levels, such as:

• Saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol in your food can increase cholesterol levels. What we eat determines our cholesterol levels. Saturated fat and cholesterol are found in foods that come from animals, like meats, whole milk, egg yolks, butter, and cheese. Trans fat is found in fried foods and packaged foods, such as cookies, crackers, and chips.
• Unhealthy lifestyle. Lack of exercise or physical activity can lower your HDL.
• Overweight may increase triglycerides and decrease HDL (good cholesterol).
• Age and gender also affect the cholesterol level. As we get older, cholesterol levels tend to rise. In men, cholesterol generally levels off after age 50. In women, it stays fairly low until menopause. Then it rises to about the same level as in men.
• Heredity factor. Your genes partly determine how much cholesterol your body makes. High blood cholesterol can run in families.
• Certain diseases may increase the cholesterol levels. These include diabetes, hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and other kidney problems.
• Smoking can lower your HDL cholesterol.
• Alcohol. Consuming too much alcohol regularly, may increase the levels of LDL and lower the levels of HDL.
• Certain medications can raise triglyceride levels and lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels. The medicines include thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, estrogen, and corticosteroids.

 

Read also: Cholesterol: Is It That Bad?