Chances are you or someone you know has high cholesterol, but since it usually doesn’t have symptoms it’s not something most people think about, but should. If left untreated, the common condition can cause serious health issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “Having high blood cholesterol raises the risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death, and for stroke, the fifth leading cause of death.” Dr. Ilan Shapiro, FACHE, Chief Health Correspondent and Medical Affairs Officer at AltaMed Health Services in Los Angeles, CA tells us, “To measure cholesterol levels, LDL and HDL triglyceride levels can reveal potential cholesterol deposits around our bodies. Increased amount can cause strokes, aneurysms, and blood flow related problems.” According to the CDC, “Nearly 94 million U.S. adults age 20 or older have total cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dL. Twenty-eight million adults in the United States have total cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dL.” While there are nonmodifiable risk factors like age and family history, there’s still many things people can do to prevent high cholesterol. “Diet does play a part, but it isn’t everything,” Lisa Richards, a nutritionist and author of the Candida Diet tells us. “Genetics will determine how our bodies process cholesterol and therefore whether it is high or low. While genetics play a part, it is still important to follow certain dietary patterns to manage your cholesterol levels.” The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is by a blood test, which is why keeping your annual doctor visit is important. Finding a good primary care physician who will do routine lab work and check for things like high cholesterol is vital for your overall well-being. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with experts who share what to know about cholesterol and ways to help manage it. As always, please consult your physician for medical advice. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Gabriela Rodríguez Ruiz, MD PhD FACS a board-certified bariatric surgeon at VIDA Wellness and Beauty says, “Cholesterol is a waxy substance found naturally in the body and helps with digestion, hormone production, and other vital functions. However, too much cholesterol can increase your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. It is important to maintain a healthy level of cholesterol to stay healthy. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, is the type that can increase your risk of developing heart disease if it builds up in your arteries. HDL, or “good” cholesterol, carries excess cholesterol back to the liver, where it can be broken down and removed from the body.” Dr. Eric Berg, a chiropractor who specializes in weight loss through nutritional and natural methods and author of several books, adds, “Cholesterol is not the enemy in your body. It actually serves a purpose, and we need it in order to be healthy. Proper cholesterol levels are vital for things like building our hormones, making vitamin D, and producing bile. There are many benefits of cholesterol.” Dr. Edward Salko is the board-certified physician who reviews lab tests provided by PERSONALABS™ says, “Cholesterol isn’t bad, not at all. In fact, it is a natural fat-like component of all cells in our body and is used in producing essential compounds such as Vitamin D, fat-dissolving bile acids, and sex hormones. Cholesterols are produced by the liver and they can also be acquired from the food we eat. Medical experts have found that high cholesterol is linked to cardiovascular and other critical diseases typically related to aging and fat metabolism, which is why Cholesterol has become associated with a negative connotation.”Dr. Dev Batra Interventional Radiologist, Owner and Founder of Dallas Vein Institute says, “Cholesterol is…
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