Understanding Cholesterol: What It Is, Its Causes, and Its Treatment
Cholesterol is like a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is essential for the body. On the other hand, excessive levels can have a negative impact on health.
It is not always associated with negative things, so let's learn more about cholesterol in this comprehensive guide!
What Exactly Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance similar to fat.[1] There are two sources of cholesterol: the first is produced by the liver, and the second comes from animal-based foods such as meat, chicken, and dairy products.
In the body, it is actually needed to build new cell membranes, vitamin D, and hormones. However, excessive amounts can narrow or block arteries, potentially triggering serious diseases such as heart disease and stroke.
Types of Cholesterol

- High-density Lipoprotein (Good Cholesterol): Helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream and return them to the liver for disposal.
- Low-density Lipoprotein (Bad Cholesterol): Builds up on the walls of blood vessels, narrowing blood flow and potentially causing blood clots.
Causes of High Cholesterol

As explained, cholesterol itself is not harmful, but excessive levels make it a threat to the body. Good cholesterol (HDL) should ideally stay within the following limits:
- Total cholesterol should be at or below 200 mg/dL.
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) should be below 100 mg/dL.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) should be above 40 mg/dL.
- Triglycerides (fat in the blood) should be below 150 mg/dL.
If your levels are outside these ranges, you may have high cholesterol. This can be triggered by several factors, including:
1. Medical Conditions
Several medical conditions can trigger uncontrolled cholesterol production, such as lupus, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS.
2. High-Sugar Diet
High cholesterol can be triggered by the liver producing excessive low-density lipoprotein as a result of consuming sweet foods.
3. Consuming Too Much Alcohol
People who drink alcohol tend to have very high triglycerides. For alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 5%, adults are advised to consume no more than 0.4 liters.[2]
4. Eating High-Fat Foods
The more fatty foods you eat, the more cholesterol enters your body. Examples include meat, chicken, offal, and eggs.
Symptoms of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol can cause serious illness, but it often presents without visible symptoms. Symptoms usually only appear once bad cholesterol has built up, such as shortness of breath and chest pain.
In some people, high cholesterol can also cause pain in certain areas of the body. For example, if a blood vessel is blocked in the leg, you may feel pain there. Therefore, you need to have regular checkups to monitor your cholesterol levels.
Diagnosing High Cholesterol

To diagnose high cholesterol, a doctor will first perform a lipoprotein profile blood test. This test checks your total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels.
In addition to blood tests, the doctor will also evaluate your physical condition, medical history, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Once testing is complete and the patient is diagnosed with high cholesterol, the doctor will recommend several treatment options and dietary changes.
Treating High Cholesterol

To address high cholesterol, doctors recommend two approaches:
1. Adjusting Daily Lifestyle Habits
Doctors will usually recommend changes to your diet and daily habits. This is because many external factors affect cholesterol levels, such as unhealthy eating habits and smoking.
Moving away from unhealthy foods like fatty foods, the doctor will recommend foods that lower cholesterol. Examples include brown rice and salmon.
2. Taking Oral Medications
In addition to adjusting your lifestyle, you can also treat high cholesterol with medication. The doctor will prescribe medication based on your lipoprotein profile, depending on whether you need to lower your LDL or triglyceride levels or increase your HDL.
Ways to Avoid High Cholesterol

Before it is too late, you can take preventive steps to avoid a cholesterol spike. Some effective methods include:
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Stop Eating Foods That May Increase Cholesterol
Cut back on high-cholesterol foods such as fried foods, beef, cheese, shrimp, crab, and offal.
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Quit Smoking
This habit can make bad cholesterol stickier and more likely to build up in your blood vessels, increasing the risk of blockages.
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Exercise Regularly
Physical activity during exercise promotes the production of good cholesterol, which can eliminate bad cholesterol. Activities such as running, cycling, brisk walking, and swimming are exercise options you can try.
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Change the Habit of Sitting for Too Long
If you sit for too long, whether at work or relaxing, the enzyme that converts bad cholesterol into good cholesterol can decrease by up to 95%. To prevent this, make sure to stretch or walk around every 30 minutes.
That concludes our interesting discussion on cholesterol. By fully understanding cholesterol and adopting a healthy lifestyle, you can minimize the risk of diseases caused by high cholesterol and maintain overall health.
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