We often hear of some people avoiding certain types of food like eggs because they think their cholesterol level will go up by eating it. For sure, high cholesterol levels will put us at risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke, but dietary cholesterol does not raise our blood cholesterol as much as large amounts of saturated fats do.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is made and used by our bodies to make some hormones (e.g., sex hormones), vitamin D, bile and other substances. It is mainly found in foods from animal sources, such as meat, poultry and full-fat dairy products. When we eat a diet high in saturated and trans fats, our livers will produce more cholesterol.
Many people do not know their cholesterol level is too high as high cholesterol levels do not cause symptoms. A blood test will tell us if our cholesterol level is too high. We can control our cholesterol level with a healthy diet and regular aerobic exercise, though some people will also need to take medications. Let's take a closer look.
How does high cholesterol affect us?
Excess cholesterol in our blood will build up in the walls of our arteries and this plaque will make it harder for our heart to circulate blood. A heart attack or stroke can occur from sudden blood clots in these narrowed arteries. Cholesterol is transported through our blood stream by carriers called lipoproteins, of which the two main types are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
LDL is the bad cholesterol as it carries cholesterol to the tissues, including the arteries, and elevated levels of LDL are strongly linked to increased cardiosvascular risk. HDL is considered "good" cholesterol because it transports cholesterol back to the liver, where it is passed from the body.
What types of food should we avoid?
Cholesterol levels can certainly be lowered by dietary changes, especially by avoiding red meat, butter, fried foods, cheese and other foods that have a lot of saturated fat. Also, we need to restrict our intake of sugar, sweets and refined grains, which are found in food such as white bread, white rice and most forms of pasta. Eggs are fine; however, moderate consumption of up to one a day, is acceptable and is safe for the heart.
What is a good diet to follow?
A Mediterranean diet appears to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. This diet typically consists mainly of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds and olive oil as an important source of fat. It also usually includes low to moderate amounts of fish, poultry, dairy products and little red meat.
When do I need medication (e.g., statins)?
Statins are drugs that can block a substance our body needs to make cholesterol. Several trials have unequivocally demonstrated the benefit of statins in patients with coronary artery plaque disease and especially in those who have suffered a heart attack. The decision to start statins is made after a personalised assessment of the patient's overall cardiovascular risk. So, if one's long-term risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke is high for instance, statins may help.
Although medications can rapidly lower our cholesterol levels, it often takes 6 to 12 months before the effects of lifestyle modifications are noticeable. The treatment of high cholesterol - and triglycerides, a type of fat that contributes partly towards our total cholesterol count - is a lifelong process. It is thus important to stick with the treatment plan once we begin to see results.
Many people request to discontinue their statin treatment because of its side effects. Statins are generally very safe, though some people do not tolerate it well. Some of the common side effects include muscle and joint pain, nosebleeds, sore throat, headache and problems with the digestive system like diarrhoea, according to Britain's National Health Service (NHS). Also, liver problems can happen but are rare. Cognitive impairment like memory loss and confusion is another side effect that has been reported. The US Food and Drug Administration said these experiences are rare. Furthermore, the symptoms were not serious and were reversible within a few weeks after the patient stopped using the drug.
Statins may also confer "a small increased risk of developing diabetes" and this risk becomes slightly greater with high doses than moderate doses. However, there is overwhelming evidence from clinical trials that shows that statins reduce heart attacks in patients with and without diabetes. The beneficial effects of statins on cardiovascular protection thus far outweigh the increased risk.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is made and used by our bodies to make some hormones (e.g., sex hormones), vitamin D, bile and other substances. It is mainly found in foods from animal sources, such as meat, poultry and full-fat dairy products. When we eat a diet high in saturated and trans fats, our livers will produce more cholesterol.
Many people do not know their cholesterol level is too high as high cholesterol levels do not cause symptoms. A blood test will tell us if our cholesterol level is too high. We can control our cholesterol level with a healthy diet and regular aerobic exercise, though some people will also need to take medications. Let's take a closer look.
How does high cholesterol affect us?
Excess cholesterol in our blood will build up in the walls of our arteries and this plaque will make it harder for our heart to circulate blood. A heart attack or stroke can occur from sudden blood clots in these narrowed arteries. Cholesterol is transported through our blood stream by carriers called lipoproteins, of which the two main types are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
LDL is the bad cholesterol as it carries cholesterol to the tissues, including the arteries, and elevated levels of LDL are strongly linked to increased cardiosvascular risk. HDL is considered "good" cholesterol because it transports cholesterol back to the liver, where it is passed from the body.
What types of food should we avoid?
Cholesterol levels can certainly be lowered by dietary changes, especially by avoiding red meat, butter, fried foods, cheese and other foods that have a lot of saturated fat. Also, we need to restrict our intake of sugar, sweets and refined grains, which are found in food such as white bread, white rice and most forms of pasta. Eggs are fine; however, moderate consumption of up to one a day, is acceptable and is safe for the heart.
What is a good diet to follow?
A Mediterranean diet appears to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. This diet typically consists mainly of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds and olive oil as an important source of fat. It also usually includes low to moderate amounts of fish, poultry, dairy products and little red meat.
When do I need medication (e.g., statins)?
Statins are drugs that can block a substance our body needs to make cholesterol. Several trials have unequivocally demonstrated the benefit of statins in patients with coronary artery plaque disease and especially in those who have suffered a heart attack. The decision to start statins is made after a personalised assessment of the patient's overall cardiovascular risk. So, if one's long-term risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke is high for instance, statins may help.
Although medications can rapidly lower our cholesterol levels, it often takes 6 to 12 months before the effects of lifestyle modifications are noticeable. The treatment of high cholesterol - and triglycerides, a type of fat that contributes partly towards our total cholesterol count - is a lifelong process. It is thus important to stick with the treatment plan once we begin to see results.
Many people request to discontinue their statin treatment because of its side effects. Statins are generally very safe, though some people do not tolerate it well. Some of the common side effects include muscle and joint pain, nosebleeds, sore throat, headache and problems with the digestive system like diarrhoea, according to Britain's National Health Service (NHS). Also, liver problems can happen but are rare. Cognitive impairment like memory loss and confusion is another side effect that has been reported. The US Food and Drug Administration said these experiences are rare. Furthermore, the symptoms were not serious and were reversible within a few weeks after the patient stopped using the drug.
Statins may also confer "a small increased risk of developing diabetes" and this risk becomes slightly greater with high doses than moderate doses. However, there is overwhelming evidence from clinical trials that shows that statins reduce heart attacks in patients with and without diabetes. The beneficial effects of statins on cardiovascular protection thus far outweigh the increased risk.
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