Only substances like wax or fat produced by the liver in the body are called cholesterol or lipid. It is necessary to have the proper amount of cholesterol in the body to perform different types of different bodily functions.

Cholesterol is needed for the production of cell membranes, vitamin D, digestion, and many other hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and aldosterone. Apart from this, cholesterol is also present in bile salt (bile salts) which helps in digesting fat properly. In addition, cholesterol also helps in absorbing vitamins A, D, E and K in the body. Vitamin D is produced in the body only with the help of cholesterol in the presence of sunlight.

Cholesterol is present in the blood as a structural fluid made up of proteins and lipids, and this element containing cholesterol and protein is called lipoprotein. Lipoproteins help in transmitting cholesterol to other organs of the body through the bloodstream. There are mainly two types of lipoproteins: 

1. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol

This type of lipoprotein has more protein than fat. This is called good or good cholesterol. High levels of HDL cholesterol are seen as beneficial and protective effects for your heart. If HDL cholesterol is high in the body, then the risk of cardiovascular diseases is less. 

2. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol

This lipoprotein has a higher amount of fat than protein and hence it is known as bad or bad cholesterol. If the level of LDL cholesterol in the body is high then the risk of heart disease increases. Excess of bad cholesterol increases the risk of chest pain, heart attack, stroke or diabetes. 

Since most of HDL or good cholesterol is made up of protein, the main function of taking cholesterol from various cells of the body and taking it to the liver to destroy it, is good cholesterol. This process cleanses cholesterol from the body. As already stated that if high levels of good cholesterol are maintained in the body, then the body gets protection from heart disease and if the level of good cholesterol decreases, then the risk of coronary artery disease increases. 

On the other hand, only one-fourth of LDL or bad cholesterol is protein and the rest is fat. Although it helps in repairing the damaged cells, if its level in the body increases, it starts accumulating in the inner walls of the arteries, causing the arteries to narrow and making it difficult to get enough blood flow which causes heart disease and The risk of stroke increases. 

Cause cholesterol increase 

Bad cholesterol can increase in the body due to the following reasons:-

Diet: If you eat a diet that is high in saturated fat, then the amount of LDL or bad cholesterol in the blood increases.

Meats, dairy products, poultry, coconut oil, palm oil, butter, chocolate, too much-fried foods, processed food, and bakery products fall in this category. Apart from this, consuming more of the fried products in transfat also increases the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood. 

- Sedentary or inactive lifestyle: If a person does not do any physical activity in his daily lifestyle, sitting at all times, then it also increases the amount of LDL or bad cholesterol in the blood and reduces the protective effect of good cholesterol. looks like. Apart from this, the problem of obesity also impedes the circulation of fat in the blood.

- Smoking: If a person smokes for a long time, his blood arteries begin to harden, which leads to increased blood pressure, increases the oxygen requirement of the heart and can cause a disease associated with fat metabolism. Good cholesterol or HDH levels begin to decrease in the blood. All these factors together cause heart and arterial disease.

- Diseases: PCOS, hypothyroidism, diabetes, kidney disease, HIV and autoimmune diseases such as - Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, etc. also increase cholesterol levels.

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Cholesterol-lowering measures 

By making necessary lifestyle changes and adopting some tips, you can not only reduce the problem of high cholesterol but also prevent it from happening:

- Do not consume these things

Your food plays the most important role in preventing the rise in cholesterol levels in the blood. Do not consume too much-saturated fat in your diet. Do not eat meat, eggs, processed food, fried roast, dairy products, etc. too much.

- Eat these things more

Change your diet habits. Instead of full-fat cream milk, use low-fat or skimmed milk, use vegetable oil for cooking. Include whole grains, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables and chicken etc. in your diet. Eat foods rich in fiber and do not consume foods and beverages with too much sugar.

- Maintain activity throughout the day

If you do not do any kind of physical activity throughout the day, then it starts reducing the amount of HDL or good cholesterol in your blood. Do aerobic exercise for 45 minutes 3 to 4 times a week