Cholesterol is considered outside the normal range when total cholesterol is equal to or greater than 190mg / dl and / or when good cholesterol (HDL) is below 40mg / dl for men and women .
High cholesterol causes the fat to be deposited in the walls of blood vessels and, over time, there may be a decrease in blood flow in important regions of the body, such as the brain, heart and kidneys. In addition, these small atheroma plaques adhered to the vessel may eventually break loose and cause a thrombosis or even a stroke.
Diet for High Cholesterol
The high cholesterol diet should contain foods rich in vitamins and minerals, with low amounts of fat. In addition, it is important to consume foods that help lower cholesterol, such as:
- Garlic and onion
- Eggplant
- Coconut water
- Artichoke
- Linseed
- Pistachio
- Black tea
- Red tea
One should choose 1 of the above foods and consume it daily as a form of home remedy. When you get sick of it, you can switch to another from the same list. All of these foods are considered herbal medicines and help lower high cholesterol.
What to avoid in case of high cholesterol
In case of high cholesterol, it is recommended to avoid the consumption of food:
- Fried
- Very spicy
- Prepared with some kind of fat, such as vegetable fat or palm oil, for example
- Butter and margarine
- Puff pastry
- Fast food
- Red meat
- Alcoholic beverages
- Very sweet foods
High Cholesterol in Pregnancy
It is normal to have a slight rise in cholesterol values during pregnancy.
To control high cholesterol in pregnancy there is no need to take medication, just follow a good diet, with little amount of fat and practice some kind of light physical activity, such as walking, for example.
Causes of High Cholesterol
The causes of high cholesterol are high fat food and sedentary lifestyle. Excess alcoholic beverages, installed cirrhosis, untreated diabetes, hormonal disorders and porphyria are also some other causes for high cholesterol.
Possible Consequences of High Cholesterol
High cholesterol can cause the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as "clogging" of the arteries, thrombus formation and the release of emboli. As it has no symptoms, the individual may suffer a heart attack due to a thrombus that started due to high cholesterol. To reduce these risks, it is recommended that treatment for cholesterol be started as soon as possible.
Treatment for High Cholesterol
The treatment of high cholesterol can be done in a homemade and natural way. Just follow the cholesterol-lowering diet properly by investing in a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, such as fish and chicken, for example.
Practicing physical activity 3 times a week helps you lose weight and lose this accumulated fat, naturally lowering your cholesterol and risk of heart disease. It can be any activity, from playing soccer with friends, walking, swimming or doing yoga. However, it is important that this activity is done for at least 40 minutes, 3 times a week. Performing exercises only on the weekend does not bring the same benefits.
Here's a list of cholesterol-lowering medicines.
