Hypercholesterolemia


Cholesterol is a waxy content that is found in your blood. It is required to build healthy cells, but excess levels of cholesterol can increase the risk of heart diseases.  With a high level of cholesterol, fatty deposits can be developed which gets lodged in the blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits grow and create difficulty for easy blood flow. Sometimes those deposits can break suddenly and form into clots and causes a stroke or heart attack.  

In medical terms high cholesterol level in blood is known Hypercholesterolemia. This is not a rare condition these days, but it’s often a result of an unhealthy lifestyle choice. According to recent studies, the statistics reported says that high cholesterol is present in 25–30% of urban and 15–20% rural subjects. Compared to developed countries, this prevalence is less.  India stands in the borderline for high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, and high triglycerides. 

Familial hypercholesterolemia or Pure hypercholesterolemia mainly affects the way, body processes cholesterol. The gene that causes familial cholesterolemia is inherited since the time of birth. So this would be a condition that is present from birth.  As a result, people with familial hypercholesterolemia have a higher risk of heart disease and a greater risk of an early heart attack.

Causes of hypercholesterolemia

Cholesterol is carried to different parts of the body through the blood by attaching with some proteins. This attachment of cholesterol with protein is called a lipoprotein. 

Based on what they transport, lipoproteins are of different types, they are: 

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – The low-density lipoprotein is commonly known as   "bad" cholesterol that transports cholesterol particles throughout the body. LDL cholesterol is lodged in the walls of arteries, making them very hard and narrow. 

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) – The high-density lipoprotein, or "good" cholesterol, helps in picking the excess cholesterol and takes it back to your liver. 

Triglyceride is a type of fat in the blood which in excess is not good for the body. High levels of triglyceride increase the risk of heart diseases. 

Familial hypercholesterolemia is caused due to genetic factors that are inherited from the time of birth. Due to this, genes might keep cells from removing bad cholesterol from the blood and cause your liver to produce too much cholesterol.

Recommended levels

Healthy levels of cholesterol don't vary much for typical adults. The levels change due to other health conditions.

Types of Cholesterol

Cholesterol levels for adults

 

Normal

Borderline High

Very high

Total cholesterol

<200 mg/dL

200-239mg/dL

>240mg/dL

Low Density cholesterol

<100 mg/dL

130-159mg/dL

>190mg/dL

High Density cholesterol

>60mg/dL

41-59mg/dL

>40mg/dL

Types of Cholesterol

Cholesterol levels for children

 

Normal

Borderline High

Very high

Total cholesterol

<170 mg/dL

170-199mg/dL

>200mg/dL

Low Density cholesterol

>110 mg/dL

110-129mg/dL

>130mg/dL

Other risk factors are:

  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Unhealthy eating habits such as uneven food timings, overeating
  • Lack of exercises 
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes  
  • Excessive usage of sugar, junk food, and bottled drinks
  • Irregular sleeping pattern 
  • Excess consumption of alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Age-related

Symptoms of hypercholesterolemia

A high level of cholesterol doesn’t exhibit any symptoms. A complete lipid profile can help to know the level and ratio of the cholesterol in the blood.  Weakness in the body even without doing any physical activity

  • Breathlessness
  • Palpitation
  • Difficulty in climbing stairs

Complications

Deposition of high cholesterol in the walls of arteries can reduce the blood flow which will lead to various complications. Due to the accumulation of cholesterol, it results in the disease called atherosclerosis.

  • Chest pain – If the pumping of blood to the heart through arteries is slow, there might be chest pain and other symptoms of coronary heart diseases. 
  • Heart attack – If a rupture of the deposited plaque tears or ruptures, a blood clot can be formed in the site which blocks the free blood flow. This blocks the flow of blood into the heart and causes a heart attack.  
  • Stroke – Similar to a heart attack, a stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood into a part of the brain.

5 Effective home remedies for High cholesterols

1.  Flax Seeds

Image result for flax seeds

Take a tablespoon of flax seeds and powder it. The powder can be taken with a glass of warm water or milk. This should be followed once daily in the empty stomach. 

Flaxseeds contain an antioxidant called secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) which helps to lower the blood cholesterol and decreases the risk of heart diseases.

2.  Celery Juices


Fresh celery leaves are taken and cleaned. The fresh juice should be prepared with water. 2-3 drops of honey can be added to improve the flavor. The juice should be consumed twice daily to get the desired results. 
Celery is a rich source of antioxidants and its regular consumption can lower your bad cholesterol levels.

3.  Lemon and Honey

Image result for lemon and honey

Lemon juice should be taken along with 2 teaspoons of honey in hot water. Mix the solution well and drink it 3 to 4 times a day. 
The combination of lemon juice and honey is a very popular remedy for weight loss. The vitamin C present in the lemon aids in fat oxidation, and the honey possess lipid-lowering agents.

4.  Curry leaves



Take fresh curry leaves and wash it thoroughly. Consume the leaves every morning in empty stomach. This can be continued for 30days for the desired result. 
Curry leaves reduce the level of total cholesterol and triglycerides thereby promoting weight loss naturally.

5.  Garlic Cloves
Consume 5-10 garlic cloves daily in empty stomach, two times a day. Alternatively, garlic can be used all the food preparations.  
Studies conducted have proved that garlic is an effective home remedy to lower cholesterol, specifically total cholesterol and triglycerides.