You are probably familiar with the basic information about the cholesterol. First of all it is a really serious thing you need to pay attention to. It is well known that high levels of cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease and because of that, the levels should be checked regularly. However, there are several less known facts about the cholesterol, including the fact that the body in fact needs cholesterol. Bellow, we offer you 5 pieces of information in regard to this question.
Fasting is not necessary prior checking the cholesterol levels
A long-term study which was published in the journal Circulation suggests that the high LDL levels, indentified by a blood test taken after fasting or not can still predict the risk of heart disease. According to the researchers, the non-fasting numbers are more realistic when it comes to our heart`s health because we are not in a fasting state all the time. In case your cholesterol levels are high and you have a family history of heart disease, your doctor will probably ask you to fast a certain period just in order to compare the numbers.
Cholesterol is essential for good health
According to Prediman K. Shah, MD director of the Oppenheimer Atherosclerosis Research Center and Atherosclerosis Prevention and Treatment Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles, cholesterol is important for cell function. He adds that every cell of our body is made up of cholesterol so getting rid of it is not an option. Fred Pescatore, MD, an integrative physician in New York City states that our body itself makes and gives us all we need. While the body produces its own cholesterol it also turns fats into cholesterol.
Cholesterol-free foods can actually raise cholesterol levels
Most of the doctors share the same opinion, that this is the biggest mistake patients make. According to Kopecky, dairy fats, trans fats and saturated fats immediately turn into cholesterol when imported in the body. For instance, trans fats which are 2% of your calories will actually increase the cholesterol by 20%.
Not everyone with high levels of cholesterol will get heart disease
According to Shah, it is the genetics which helps determine whether plague builds up in the arteries. Cholesterol is not the main risk factor about getting a heart disease but it is one of the many other factors. It is important to consult your doctor and control your cholesterol to the best level for you, because the doctors know how your own personal levels of cholesterol, some protective properties and inflammation will impact your risk.
The cholesterol naturally increases as we grow older, especially for women
Menopause is more than night sweats and hot flashes. Increase of cholesterol levels is one more thing related to it. According to Stephen Kopecky, MD, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist who focuses on preventive cardiology and has done extensive research in this area, usually men have higher cholesterol than women but when women approach to menopause things change. “At age 60-70 there are more women with high cholesterol than men”- he says. The reason is still unclear but supposedly, the lack of estrogen has a huge part in this.
