8 Myths About High Cholesterol Debunked
My Geek Score: Cholesterol is essential for the proper functioning of your body. However, you need to maintain a balance between good and bad cholesterol in order to achieve stable health.
The primary complications begin when you intake saturated fat enriched foods, as fats are the root source that results in the production of bad cholesterol.
The production of cholesterol leads to the accumulation of plaque over the walls of your arteries, thereby thinning them and eventually resulting in heart attacks.
Cholesterol-related diseases are as common as the myths floating about them, and in this article, we are going to ring up the curtain off these misconceptions on cholesterol and its effects on the body.
Cholesterol Myths Debunked – If you are misguided by anyone about high cholesterol, then we are sure that you will get the enough information about cholesterol myths debunked more than that. One more thing, you should always know that anyone can misguide you even than you have not enough knowledge of the topics. So don’t worry read the post step by step till end. If you have your own suggestion, we welcome here…
Myth 1 – Cholesterol is always bad
Fact – Cholesterol is crucial for the building up and transportation of some essential enzymes. It helps your body to function in the finest way, forming new cells.
Cholesterol is basically divided into two groups:-
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is also known as the ‘bad cholesterol’ which makes up for the majorly produced cholesterol in your body. High consumption of substances that aid in the formation of LDH may even result in fatal heart diseases.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) on the other hand, is stated as the ‘good cholesterol’ which aids in flushing the bad cholesterol out of your body.
Myth 2 – I can’t control my Cholesterol level
Fact – Yes, you can very well keep track of your cholesterol level and even work for lowering it down by some super easy and efficient methods.
You can monitor the presence of cholesterol by getting it checked every 5 years. This way, you’ll have a fair idea of what to proceed with.
After you are familiar with the status of your cholesterol level and heart health, the first thing that you must consider for balancing it is to cut down on saturated fats as they can slowly build up and restrict a smooth blood flow, eventually causing heart diseases.
We suggest you to have a nourishing diet that must include fruits and greens.
Apart from eating healthy, you must also take out time for exercise. This will not only help with burning calories but also result in better blood circulation.
In order to maintain good health, you must restrict yourself from smoking and drinking as well.
Myth 3 – Medicine is all I need to lower high Cholesterol
Fact – Although medicines work wonders for controlling your cholesterol, there are a lot of other factors that you must keep in mind for a healthy body.
Statins are the most common and effective medications for lowering down your cholesterol as they stimulate your liver to minimize the formation of cholesterol.
However, every medicine has a side effect and you must avoid using it as much as possible.
Your eating habits are responsible for almost every disease, and if you consume the right foods, these diseases can be prevented and you don’t need to struggle with having a plethora of medicines every day.
Myth 4 – I would know if I had high Cholesterol
Fact – Cholesterol doesn’t have any prominent sign until the condition is worsened, so it is always better to keep track of it and visit a doctor periodically.
Xanthomas or yellow spots might be visible on your skin at the extreme stage of cholesterol. As a result of the increased cholesterol, you might feel pain in the chest and difficulty in walking.
Additionally, gangrene, heart strokes, and liver dysfunction can occur.
Myth 5 – Women don’t have high Cholesterol
Fact – The truth is actually the opposite of this, as the root cause of death among women is caused due to heart strokes which are actually caused by high cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol in women can even cause complexity in pregnancy, menstruation, and hormones in general. According to the latest research, breast cancer proves to be one of the most common diseases that leads to the death of women all across the globe.
Additionally, the death rate of women by heart attacks is greater than that in men. Hence, getting yourself checked regularly can help with the prevention.
Myth 6 – Young people can’t get affected by Cholesterol
Fact – Cholesterol-related diseases do not depend on your age and are visible in people of all age groups. People under 40 generally assume that they might not face any trouble dealing with cholesterol but that’s clearly a false assumption.
The American Heart Association instructs to have 1 cholesterol test between 9 and 11 years, another between 17 and 21 years, and 1 test every 5 years when you reach 20. Frequent checking will keep you updated on your health and you will be prepared for any future complications due to high cholesterol.
Myth 7 – Overweight people have high Cholesterol risks
Fact – Although the possibility of having high cholesterol is more in obese people, individuals with a linear body structure and normal weight can also experience problems concerning cholesterol.
Apart from unhealthy eating habits and an imbalanced lifestyle, high levels of cholesterol can also occur due to genetic inheritance. If any of your family members have had cholesterol, it is highly likely that you can get affected with the same, regardless of your weight, body type, and age.
Myth 8 – Cholesterol rich foods do not affect your health
Fact – You can say this to pacify yourself but it won’t help, rather deplete your condition. Foods with a high fat content result in the building up of plaque inside your blood vessels which can be fatal in some cases.
We would advise you to switch saturated fats with fibers and proteins to reduce health risks and keep your body fit as a flea.
The Message
There is a multitude of prevention methods that you can apply in your daily life to stay physically fit and mentally at peace. From in taking a proper diet to quitting smoking to exercising, you can control your cholesterol if you opt for better health habits.
Do not trust any myths and stay consistent with taking care of your health!
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