Longer height Cholesterol acts as an alarm bell; As it increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol can be combated by following a healthy lifestyle based on healthy nutrition and exercise.
Dr. Ulrich Laufs, Director of the Comprehensive Cardiology Clinic at Leipzig University Hospital in Germany, explained that cholesterol is an important substance for various functions in the body. For example, it plays a role in cell stability, hormone production, and brain function.
Two types
Laufs added that cholesterol is divided into two types: “good cholesterol” (high-density lipoprotein) (HDL) and “bad cholesterol” (low-density lipoprotein) (LDL), indicating that if high cholesterol levels It raises concerns, as it is then related to harmful cholesterol.
Laufs pointed out that high cholesterol levels may be hereditary; So there are skinny people who have very high cholesterol levels.
Calcification of blood vessels
The German cardiologist stressed the need to treat high cholesterol levels in a timely manner. Because it increases the risk of calcification of blood vessels, which in turn raises the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
High cholesterol is treated with cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins, which may have side effects such as muscle pain.
Healthy lifestyle
For her part, German clinical nutrition specialist Anne Fleck pointed out the importance of following a healthy lifestyle, which can replace the need for drug treatment or at least contribute to reducing the dose.
Flake explained that foods containing cholesterol, such as meat, butter, and eggs, should be reduced, with an abundance of dietary fiber, such as oat bran, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, the food sources of which are fish.
It is also important to keep trans fatty acids in food as low as possible. This means, for example, using olive or rapeseed oil instead of sunflower or corn oil.
In general, the Mediterranean diet is recommended, which includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, nuts and herbs.
In addition to healthy nutrition, one should also continue exercising and motor activities, as well as quit smoking.