Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build cells, hormones, and vitamin D. However, high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
There are two types of cholesterol: LDL (bad) cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries and cause them to narrow, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. HDL cholesterol helps to remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries and prevent build-up.
There are many factors that can contribute to high cholesterol, including genetics, diet, and lifestyle. If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may recommend changes to your diet, lifestyle, or medication to lower your cholesterol levels.
What Causes High Cholesterol
Many factors can contribute to high cholesterol, including:
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Genetics
If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may recommend changes to your diet, lifestyle, or medication to lower your cholesterol levels.
Unhealthy diet
An unhealthy diet is one of the leading causes of high cholesterol. Eating foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and sugar can raise your cholesterol levels.
Saturated and trans fats are found in animal products like meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products, as well as in processed foods like cookies, crackers, and fried foods. These fats can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and lower your HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is found in animal products like meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Eating too much cholesterol can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
Sugar is found in sugary drinks, candy, and other processed foods. Sugar can raise your triglycerides, which is another type of fat in your blood. High triglycerides can increase your risk of heart disease.
If you want to lower your cholesterol levels, it is important to eat a healthy diet that is low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and sugar. You should also eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.