Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body needs to function optimally. But, while some cholesterol is necessary, too much cholesterol can cause significant health problems, including heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Your liver produces all the cholesterol your body needs, deriving it from the foods you eat. Following healthy eating habits can help reduce the amount of cholesterol in your bloodstream, but sometimes, dietary changes aren’t enough to keep cholesterol within healthy limits.
At Health Solutions, our team helps patients manage cholesterol levels using a holistic, whole-health approach tailored to each patient’s unique needs and goals. In this post, learn why cholesterol remains high despite a healthy diet and what you can do to lower your levels.
Cholesterol can be roughly divided into two main types: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Sometimes referred to as “bad” cholesterol, LDL is the type that collects inside your blood vessels, while HDL (or “good” cholesterol) helps clear away LDL deposits. Despite their nicknames, your body needs both types to stay healthy.
While diet influences both LDL and HDL, other factors play a role, too.
For some people, genetic variants influence cholesterol levels, making it harder for your body to metabolize cholesterol. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic condition that interferes with your body’s ability to eliminate LDL. If you have FH, your cholesterol levels can be high despite following a healthy diet.
Your level of physical activity also influences your cholesterol levels. If you tend to be inactive or lead a sedentary lifestyle, your LDL cholesterol levels are also more likely to be elevated. On the other hand, regular physical activity is associated with lower LDL levels and elevated HDL levels.
Like LDL, HDL is also produced by your liver, and like LDL, the foods you eat can influence how much HDL your liver makes. Remember: HDL is the type of cholesterol that helps get rid of excess LDL (“bad” cholesterol).
Even though you may think you’re eating a healthy diet, you might still be short on foods that promote healthy levels of HDL. Adding foods like fatty fish (salmon, sardines, or mackerel, for instance), olive oil, and walnuts can help boost HDL, indirectly lowering your LDL levels.
Carrying extra pounds also makes it harder to manage your cholesterol levels. When you’re overweight or obese, your body doesn’t metabolize cholesterol as well, and weight-related hormonal changes can also play a role in cholesterol production and metabolism.
Some medications can affect your cholesterol levels. These include medications used to control inflammation or blood pressure, hormonal birth control products, diuretics, retinoids, and even some medications used to treat depression.
During your office visit, we’ll ask about your current medications, as well as dietary supplements. While you don’t want to stop taking medications prescribed for you, there may be healthier alternatives, or you may need to take other steps to balance the effects of your medicines.
Some chronic diseases increase your levels of unhealthy cholesterol. Diabetes, kidney disease, and thyroid disease are examples of relatively common medical problems that can interfere with your cholesterol production and metabolism, leading to unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Smoking damages blood vessel walls, making it easier for LDL deposits to build up inside your arteries. At the same time, chemicals in tobacco products can lower HDL levels, further impairing your ability to manage cholesterol effectively.
Because cholesterol levels are influenced by multiple factors, managing cholesterol requires a comprehensive approach involving lifestyle changes and, sometimes, medication. Implementing a cholesterol management plan as soon as possible decreases your risks of serious and potentially life-threatening complications, like heart attack or stroke.
To learn how we can help you keep your cholesterol levels under control, request an appointment online or over the phone at one of our practices in Tinley Park, Rockford, and Flossmoor, Illinois, and Munster, Indiana, today.
