The Top Causes of High Cholesterol

Our bodies need cholesterol. Without this essential molecule, our bodies would not be able to perform many of the basic functions that are needed for us to survive. However, the human body is also capable of producing much of the cholesterol that it needs on its own. This is why people need to be careful about what they eat and how they live their lives, because these two factors–among others–affect their cholesterol levels.

The two primary risk factors for high cholesterol are a person’s overall diet and his or her family’s medical history. Unfortunately, cholesterol is not something a lot of people think about on a regular basis. If you asked most people what their cholesterol levels are, they probably wouldn’t be able to tell you. Thus, one of the best ways that you can protect your long-term health is by learning what can cause high cholesterol. So, without any further ado, these are the leading causes of high cholesterol.

What’s Your Diet Like?

One of the reasons that there are many Americans living with high cholesterol is that there are many people consuming a good bit of saturated fat on a regular basis. What kind of foods are high in saturated fat? Mostly, this type of fat is found in foods that have been derived from animals. Foods like beef, veal, pork, butter, eggs, cheese, and other dairy products usually contain plenty of saturated fats. High cholesterol clinical studies have shown that limiting the intake of saturated fats can significantly reduce a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular complications later in life.

What’s Your Weight?

America’s weight issues have been the topic of many news stories over the last few years. The rate of obesity has gone up in every state across the country over the last twenty-plus years, but that’s not the only thing. As the rate of obesity has increased, so has the rate of diabetes, heart disease, and numerous other medical conditions. This issue of weight is strongly linked to high cholesterol as well. If you are obese, then you will have a higher level of triglycerides (fat cells) and lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. By maintaining a healthier weight, you can help prevent the development of high cholesterol and other medical conditions like osteoarthritis.

How Much Exercise Do You Get?

If you are not getting enough exercise on a regular basis, then you’re doing your body a real disservice for more than one reason. Living a very sedentary lifestyle with little to no physical fitness can lead to an elevated level of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in a person’s bloodstream. Even by getting 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week, you can really help keep your body a lot healthier. This also positively affects a person’s body weight.

How Old Are You?

Once a person turns twenty, their cholesterol levels will begin to increase naturally each year as they get older. In men, cholesterol levels will increase each year until age 50, where they naturally begin to level off. In women, cholesterol levels remain comparably low until they reach menopause. After that, their cholesterol levels will increase till they are on par with men of the same age.

What’s Your Overall Health?

While many people don’t enjoy with going to the doctor, getting an annual physical examination is an essential part of maintaining one’s health as one ages. The next time you make an appointment with your doctor, you should ask him or her to help explain the risks for heart disease and what you can do to protect your cardiovascular health. Also, it is important to remember that diseases like hypertension and diabetes could make you more susceptible to high cholesterol.

What’s Your Family Medical History?

Your family’s medical history plays one of the biggest roles in determining your overall risk for developing high cholesterol. As with most things, some people are able to metabolize cholesterol a lot quicker than others. This all comes down to a person’s genetics. Basically, there are some people who may take really great care of their bodies, but they are incapable of metabolizing cholesterol at an effective rate. Thus, they could still be diagnosed with high cholesterol. So, if you learn that many people in your family have had high cholesterol, then odds are you could be dealing with the same.

Do You Smoke Cigarettes?

Aside from potentially leading to the development of lung cancer, smoking cigarettes can also cause hypertension (high blood pressure) and high cholesterol. Clinical trials have shown how cigarettes can lower a person’s HDL cholesterol levels over time. If you are current smoker, then you may be interested in learning more about these smoking cessation clinical studies.

It can be overwhelming when you look at how many different things are capable of affecting your cholesterol levels. However, if you take the time to establish your own personal risk factors, you’ll be taking a major step toward preventing high cholesterol and keeping yourself healthy.