Cholesterol High & Low, Causes, Sign and Symptoms, Diagnosis Methods and Diet for High Cholesterol

CHOLESTEROL :

-What is Cholesterol?

-What are the Sign & Symptoms?

-What are the main causes of High Cholesterol?

-What methods are used to diagnose Cholesterol (Hight or Low)? 

-What is the best diet for High Cholesterol?

-What is Cholesterol?

    Cholesterol is an organic molecule or it is a type of fat, a lipid that moves throughout the body in the blood. Lipids are substances that do not dissolve in water, so they do not come apart in blood. The body makes cholesterol but we can also get it from foods. Cholesterol is only found in food that comes from animals. It is a yellowish crystalline solid. All cells in the body need cholesterol which helps the cell membrane to form the layers. These layers protect the contents in the cell by acting as the gatekeeper. It is made by the liver and it is also used by the liver to make bile, which helps you digest food. Cholesterol is also used to produce hormones and Vitamin D. The liver produces enough cholesterol to fulfill the basic needs of the body. 

There are three types of Cholesterol which are mentioned below,

01- LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) also called bad cholesterol

02-HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)also called good cholesterol

03-VLDL (Very-Low Density Lipoprotein)

-What are the Sign & Symptoms?

   High Cholesterol typically does not cause any signs and symptoms. If you have high cholesterol, your body may store extra cholesterol in your arteries. These are the blood vessels that carry blood throughout the body. The buildup of cholesterol in your body may cause plaque. Plaque can make your arteries narrow. It can completely block an artery. A blocked artery to the heart can cause a Heart Attack and a blocked artery to the brain can cause Stroke. 

-What are the main causes of High Cholesterol?

    Our liver produces cholesterol at a limit but we also get extra cholesterol from animal food (meat, milk, butter, oils, etc). Eating much food that including fats can increase the cholesterol from normal to high. If we are overweight we may have more chances of higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If we never have enough exercise in routine, it can lower our HDL good cholesterol level. It can be genetic. If someone in our family is suffering from a high level of cholesterol then we have also full chances of high-level cholesterol.

-What methods are used to diagnose Cholesterol (Hight or Low)? 

    There are two types of cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol (Low-Density Lipoprotein) bad cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein) good cholesterol. There are two tests to measure both cholesterols bad and good. Visit a laboratory and asked for Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL tests. They will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, by using a syringe. After taken the sample, the sample is shifted for further process. Then they'll centrifuge the blood for separation of serum.

Take 3 disposable tubes, label them as cholesterol blank, cholesterol calibration/standard, cholesterol test/sample.

Put 10ul of the given standard into cholesterol standard/calibration and also 10ul of serum into the cholesterol test.

Let the tests for incubation in 37dc for 5-10m.

Match the colors of standard and test.

The test is ready to read on a chemistry analyzer.

The standard must be exact 100mg/dl.

REFERENCE RANGES OF CHOLESTEROL:

80-200mg/dl

-What is the best diet for High Cholesterol?

-LEGUMES: 

These are like beans, peas and lentils that can help lower "bad" LDL levels and are a good source of plant-based protein. 

-AVOCADOS:

These provide monounsaturated fatty acids and fiber, two heart-healthy and cholesterol-lowering nutrients.

-NUTS (Almonds & Walnuts):

Nuts are rich in cholesterol-lowering fats and fiber, as well as minerals linked to improved heart health.

-FATTY FISH:

Fatty fish offers high levels of omega 3 fatty acids and is linked to a decreased risk of heart attack and stroke.

-FRUITS AND BERRIES:

Fruit can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health. This is largely caused by its fiber and antioxidants.