Live healthy; reduce your cholesterol level

It may surprise you to know that cholesterol itself isn’t bad. In fact, cholesterol is just one of the many substances created and used by our bodies to keep us healthy. Some of the cholesterol we need is produced naturally (and can be affected by your family health history while some of it comes from […]

It may surprise you to know that cholesterol itself isn’t bad. In fact, cholesterol is just one of the many substances created and used by our bodies to keep us healthy. Some of the cholesterol we need is produced naturally (and can be affected by your family health history while some of it comes from the food we eat.
There are two types of cholesterol: “good” and “bad.” It’s important to understand the difference, and to know the levels of “good” and “bad” cholesterol in your blood. Too much of one type — or not enough of another — can put you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
Mrs. Serah Abagai is Head of Dietetitics Department at National Hospital; Abuja says “the good cholesterol helps the body to absolve the bad cholesterol. The bad cholesterol is the one that can easily clog the blood vessel and can endanger the coronary artery. Once blood vessels are clogged, blood pressure increases. So, for good heart health, it is important that you have a balance between the good and bad cholesterol.”
Health expert say cholesterol comes from two sources:  your body and food. Your liver and other cells in your body make about 75 percent of blood cholesterol. The other 25 percent comes from the foods you eat. Cholesterol is only found in animal products.
A cholesterol screening measures your level of HDL and LDL.  HDL is the “good” cholesterol which helps keep the LDL (bad) cholesterol from getting clogged into your artery walls.  A healthy level of HDL may also protect against heart attack and stroke, while low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women) have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.  
If you need to increase your HDL to your reach your goals, studies show that regular physical activity can help your body produce more HDLs.  Reducing trans fats and eating a balanced, nutritious diet is another way to increase HDL.  If these measures are not enough to increase your HDL to goal, your healthcare practitioner may prescribe a medication specifically to increase your HDLs.
Mrs Abagai says there are food which if eaten will help get a balance between the good and bad cholesterol. “You should eat the right food to help generate the good cholesterol. The body is empowered to emulsify the bad one. You have foods that have fatty acids i.e the contain omega 3 and 6 acids which contains healthy fat. Any fish when eaten in moderation will give you omega 3 acid. Also, we have soy oil and sesame oil i.e. beniseed oil, these are good sources of good cholesterol.” She says.
When you eat too much of animal foods such as red meat, margarine, salad creams, pea nut butter all these increase bad cholesterol in the body. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol. When too much of it circulates in the blood, it can clog arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Hence, you can take cue from my aunty and begin to reduce your intake of fatty foods and oil which will in turn help reduce your cholesterol level.