Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is essential for the construction of cells in the body and the production of certain hormones. 80 percent of it is produced by the liver. But when the level of cholesterol, especially bad cholesterol (LDL Cholesterol), in the blood rises above the limit, it leads to heart attack and stroke. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind high cholesterol:
Wrong diet and trans fats: Some of the foods we eat can increase bad cholesterol rapidly. Trans fats contained in fried and fried sweets, bakery items, maida, vanaspati, dalda, and palm oil reduce the good cholesterol (HDL) in the body and increase the bad cholesterol to a large extent. Eating too much rice and sweets can also cause triglycerides to increase.
Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle: People who sit in front of the computer for hours and those who do not do much physical activity are more likely to have high cholesterol. When you exercise daily, your body increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL), which helps send bad cholesterol back to the liver for disposal. Without exercise, this process slows down.
Heredity and genetics: Some people have high cholesterol levels even if they follow a very specific diet and lifestyle. Scientifically, this is called Familial Hypercholesterolemia. This is a genetic disorder in which the liver cannot properly filter and remove bad cholesterol from the blood. This risk increases if many people in the family have cholesterol and heart disease.
Obesity and Diabetes: When body mass index (BMI) increases beyond the limit, it increases the level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Additionally, in diabetics whose blood sugar levels are not under control, high glucose can damage the walls of blood vessels and cause rapid accumulation of cholesterol (plaque formation).
Smoking & Alcohol: The nicotine that enters the blood vessels when smoking makes the inner walls of blood vessels rough. This can cause bad cholesterol to stick to the blood vessels easily. Smoking can also damage the good cholesterol, HDL. Excessive alcohol consumption increases fat production in the liver and significantly increases triglycerides.
