The relationship between high cholesterol and cardiovascular pathologies is indisputable today. But why are we talking about good and bad cholesterol? What are the risks associated with it? Why is it important to monitor your cholesterol levels?

Here are all the answers to these questions. Read on!

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a form of lipid or fat that can be made by the liver or can also come from the diet.

LDL stands for bad cholesterol, which is bad for your health. Therefore, it is important to regularly monitor your LDL cholesterol level in the body because it can accumulate and contribute to the formation of plaques that can block the arteries, with disastrous consequences in the long term.

Blood cholesterol is transported by lipoproteins (fat + protein).

• Some promote the formation of atheroma plaque. These are LDL, low density (low-density lipoproteins) or bad cholesterol;
• Others are rather beneficial because they eliminate excess cholesterol in cells: HDL, high density (high-density lipoproteins) or good cholesterol.

People with high LDL cholesterol and/or low HDL cholesterol have a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Cholesterol and lipoprotein abnormalities have various causes.

• Some are genetic.
• Others are food (excess dietary fat or alcohol).

Fortunately, there are also solutions to regulate the level of bad cholesterol.

What is the Risk of Having Excessive Cholesterol Levels?

The increased level of cholesterol in the blood is the cause of coronary heart disease (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction). It is one of the main risk factors for these diseases and high blood pressure and diabetes.

Atheroma Plaque

The excess cholesterol is deposited in the arteries, in particular, the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries), which:

• reduce their caliber by forming plaques;
• make the passage of blood more and more difficult;
• promote the formation of clots (thrombosis)

When the blood stops flowing, the cells get deprived of oxygen. Depending on the blocked artery, an ischemic attack leads to myocardial infarction, stroke, or arthritis of the lower limbs.

Do You Know Your Cholesterol Level?

To find out what abnormalities are affecting you, your doctor will ask for a blood test, which will determine the concentrations of:

• Total cholesterol ;
• HDL cholesterol ;

The LDL cholesterol is calculated from these three assays.

It is important to note that these values ​​must be modulated according to age, sex, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

How to Regulate Bad Cholesterol?

If your test results indicate that the bad cholesterol level is too high, you should first consult your doctor, who may prescribe treatment or advise you on new eating habits to adopt.

At the same time, be aware that red yeast rice is known to regulate LDL cholesterol in the blood. Consuming 2.4 grams per day of red yeast rice can reduce LDL cholesterol by 22%. In addition, phytosterols, which are plant lipids, reduce the concentration of bad cholesterol.

In addition, herbal supplements are also available, containing nutrient-rich herbs that can naturally maintain cholesterol levels in the body. So, better keep a check on your cholesterol level and work on your health by adopting good, lasting habits.