Article
You’ll be surprised how
little people know about something as important as their cholesterol level.
Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares six things you should
know about your cholesterol level.
Your
body actually needs cholesterol
Cholesterol actually has
health benefits which your body needs. Cholesterol helps to make key hormones,
synthesizes vitamin D, is an essential component of cell membranes and is
needed for brain and nerve function. The problem, however, is when the level of
cholesterol in the body is excessively high.
There’s
bad cholesterol and good cholesterol
Cholesterol is carried
through the body by high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density
lipoproteins (LDL). LDL is considered the “bad” cholesterol because it deposits
plaque in your arteries; HDL is considered the “good” cholesterol because it
transports bad cholesterol from your batteries back to your liver, where it is
removed from the body. Typically, a high LDL cholesterol poses a greater risk
of heart disease, while high HDL is protective against heart disease.
Genetics
and diet can cause high cholesterol levels
High cholesterol can be
caused by your diet and it can also be inherited. Some people inherit genes
that cause their bodies to make too much LDL, and eating foods that are high in
saturated and trans fat (like cheese, red meat, fried foods etc.) can also
raise LDL.
Physical
activity
Remember the saying, “Your
body has so many joints, because it was made to move”? There’s no truer saying.
Aside keeping you fit, physical activity helps boost HDL and flush bad LDL out
of your system.
Eat
some nuts
Nuts and olives are the
two main foods believed to contain nutrients that help to stop LDL from
damaging arterial walls.
Regular
checks
It’s recommended that
everyone age 20 years old and older should have their cholesterol level
measured at least one every five years.
Leave
your omment.
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