Causes of Cholesterol You Need to Know

The body produces cholesterol through liver organs. However, cholesterol intake is mostly found in the foods we consume daily.

Never ignore high cholesterol conditions as it can be harmful to health. Many consider cholesterol disease to be experienced only by the elderly. In fact, young people can also experience high cholesterol. 

Here is information about cholesterol, ranging from the causes of high cholesterol, types of cholesterol, prevention, discouraged foods to recommended foods in people with high cholesterol that you can listen to.

The body still needs cholesterol for cell formation as well as keeping cells healthy. Not only that, but cholesterol is also necessary to make hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D.

To flow in the blood cholesterol joins the protein. Where the combined two are called lipoproteins. There are several types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol as follows.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

This LDL causes heart disease or stroke. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is referred to as bad cholesterol because it can cause vessels to experience blockages if in the blood the amount is too much. 

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

HDL plays a role in lowering levels of bad cholesterol in the body. The effect of blood vessels will be free from cholesterol that settles. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is referred to as good cholesterol because it can help the liver to decompile bad cholesterol or LDL, turning it into bile before exiting the body. 

Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)

If VLDL levels are high it will cause blood vessels to blockage, as well as increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. In lipoproteins, this one contains large amounts of fat, called triglycerides. Triglycerides themselves are fats that serve as backup energy when glucose runs out as the main energy. Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are similar to bad cholesterol or LDL. This fat is obtained from foods with high-fat content, as well as foods that are a source of carbohydrates.

Features of High Cholesterol In The Body

Here are some characteristics of high cholesterol levels in the body.

1. Chest Pain

When cholesterol levels are high, it will make fat accumulate in the arteries. This condition will cause smooth blood flow to the heart, causing discomfort in the chest. However, sometimes the pain that arises in the chest is often not taken seriously and is only considered fatigue alone. In fact, chest pain will be able to make blood flow not smooth.

2. Easily Tired

People with high cholesterol can experience fatigue easily. The body is forced to metabolize, while the heart and blood vessels are having problems. The effect of a tired body can be experienced by a person with high cholesterol levels on his body.

3. Difficulty Breathing 

Difficulty breathing is also a characteristic of high moderate cholesterol. The condition is caused by cholesterol experiencing a build-up of the walls of the pulmonary blood vessels. As a result, the heart cannot properly pump blood on the lungs and make the body deprived of oxygen.

4. Muscles Easily Tired

Cholesterol experienced by people with high blood pressure can make leg muscles weak. However, this condition can also be experienced by everyone with high cholesterol levels on their body.

5. Hands And Feet Easily Hurt

Pain in the hands and feet can be experienced by someone who has high cholesterol levels. An elderly person will usually feel tingling and heat on his hands and feet which will make his function affected. The condition is a sign that blood flow in the hands and feet is not smooth due to cholesterol.

Causes of High Cholesterol

There are several things that cause high cholesterol. Here are some of the causes of high cholesterol that you can look at.

1. Overweight

As we know, excess weight is not good for health. Because, being overweight increases the risk of various diseases, one of which is heart disease caused by increased cholesterol. Excess weight can be caused by various things, such as unhealthy diets until rarely exercise or physical activity. In order for good cholesterol levels, as well as bad to be stable in the body, it is very important to maintain weight. So the risk of experiencing chronic disease will decrease.

2. Daily Food Consumption

Foods that will make high cholesterol one of them is fast food. Fast food or junk food snacks such as potato chips in a package that is high in sugar, salt, calories, saturated fat, and trans fats. So that cholesterol levels do not continue to increase should reduce eating this type of food. Unattended daily consumption of food can be a cause of high cholesterol.

3. Age

Age can increase the risk of rising cholesterol levels. Our ageing age will tend to increase levels of bad cholesterol. This is due to the decrease in function and metabolism of the body. So it is not surprising that older people have high LDL levels when compared to young people. LDL levels will generally increase if they are 20 years old.

4. Bad Habits

Bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol can also lead to high cholesterol. Smoke, as well as toxins found in cigarettes, will cause elevated cholesterol levels. Both active and passive smokers have a risk of developing blockages in arterial blood vessels that will cause problems in the heart such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Knowing that way, it is very important to avoid smoking. Not only smoking, but you should also stop drinking alcohol because it is the cause of high cholesterol. If you consume excessive alcohol, it will cause an increase in LDL cholesterol.

5. Genetic

If you have high cholesterol when you have adopted a healthy lifestyle and diet, it can be the cause because of the genetic inherited from your parents, grandparents. So if your parents or grandparents have high cholesterol or other health problems such as heart attack, atherosclerosis, or death caused by sudden heart failure before the age of 50 you should check-up immediately. This is done to find out how much risk you are of inheriting the disease so that you can avoid problems that may occur in the next day.

6. Rarely Sports

Less exercise or less activity can increase the risk of cholesterol going up. Plus if you do not pay attention to the food intake you consume. Because fat will accumulate on blood vessels, as well as not burned through physical activity or exercise.