7 Cholesterol Myths And Facts
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While everything that we have in our body is essential, there are a few things, which should be in moderation. Cholesterol is one such element in the human body. Now, what is the role of cholesterol in the body is the question.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver and is present in every cell of the body. It plays a major role in the functioning of the body, especially for the brain, skin and nerves. It is also called as lipoprotein. However, you might be wondering if it is such an important element in the body, why do we have a range for it, and why is it said that high cholesterol is bad? Well, that’s because we have both good and bad cholesterol in the body.
Nonetheless, here we have a few more common myths and their facts about cholesterol you might need to know.
Myth 1: Cholesterol is Bad For You
Fact: Not all cholesterol is bad. The body also contains good cholesterol known as, HDL (high-density lipoprotein). LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is the one that is bad for health. High levels of LDL or HDL cholesterol can raise the risk of heart disease.
Myth 2: High Cholesterol Is Not Found In Children
Fact: High cholesterol levels can be found in children also. Red meat, fast food, and dairy products are often high in fat. Lack of physical activity in children can cause obesity, which can lead to high levels of cholesterol.
Myth 3: Margarine Is Better Than Butter For Cholesterol
Fact: Margarine is not better than butter for those who have high cholesterol because margarine contains a high amount of saturated fat than butter. In fact, fat levels in your blood are lower after eating a meal, rich in butter than after eating one, rich in olive oil.
Myth 4: I Can Recognize If I Have High Cholesterol
Fact: There are no signs or symptoms of high cholesterol in particular. High cholesterol often goes undetected for long, till it’s too late or when one gets a sudden stroke. Hence, it is necessary to get your cholesterol levels checked every 5 years.
Myth 5: Food Causes High Cholesterol
Fact: People with genetic familial hypercholesterolemia (a condition characterized by abnormally high cholesterol) generally have high cholesterol. Notably, eating nutritious cholesterol-rich foods does not increase your cholesterol, as scientifically it has been found that only 20% of your blood cholesterol levels come from your diet.
Myth 6: Nothing Can Be Done To Change High Cholesterol Levels
Fact: Your health is in your hands. You can reduce your cholesterol levels through a healthy change in your lifestyle and by consistently maintaining it. Make sure you get your cholesterol checks done regularly.
Myth 7: I Can Manage My Cholesterol With Diet And Exercise Without Medicines
Fact: Many people need medicines or statins to reduce their cholesterol levels apart from diet and exercise. Statins and a few additional medicines help in controlling your cholesterol levels.
Now that we’ve busted the common myths about cholesterol and make sure not to take high levels of cholesterol for granted. Here are some quick tips to manage high cholesterol.
5 Tips To Keep Cholesterol On Control
- Get tested every 4 to 6 years (unless told otherwise by your doctor).
- Learn more about cholesterol screenings.
- Make healthy food choices.
- Limit foods high in saturated fats.
- Choose high-fiber foods.
Visit your nearest diagnostic center or doctor soon and get a complete lipid picture as soon as you can, as prevention is always better than cure. Why do you wait till you fall prey to a stroke? Watch out and live better.
