High cholesterol

Cholesterol is an essential fat for the functioning of our body and is present in cell membranes, the liver, intestines, heart, brain, nerves and muscles. Its vital function is the transmission of nerve impulses, the formation of vitamin D, the synthesis of hormones and the formation of bile.

Did you know that some cholesterol is produced by our bodies? Yes, it’s true! About 75% of cholesterol is produced by our body, it’s the liver and other cells that produce it, and the remaining 25% comes from our diet, from the animal foods we eat.

Types of cholesterol

It is generally considered that there is “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol. An imbalance between them increases the risk of coronary heart disease.

• HDL, the “good”
  • refers to high-density lipoproteins (HDL);
  • prevents LDL from becoming lodged in the artery walls, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease;
  • This is why it is considered the “good” cholesterol.
• LDL, the “bad”
  • refers to low-density lipoproteins (LDL);
  • when elevated, become lodged in the arteries, forming atheroma plaques;
  • the arteries become narrower and the blood passes more easily;
  • is therefore considered the “bad” cholesterol.

High cholesterol is diagnosed when a person has high levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

So that cholesterol doesn’t become a problem, the Portuguese Atherosclerosis Society considers the reference values for total cholesterol to be less than 180 mg/dl, LDL cholesterol less than 100 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol greater than 45 mg/dl and triglycerides less than 150 mg/dl.

High cholesterol is not in itself a disease, but can be the cause of various cardiovascular problems.It is associated with serious illnesses, however, its presence alone does not cause any symptoms, s It is therefore considered a “silent” disease. Therefore, the only possible way to detect high cholesterol levels is through blood tests.

Thus, by having your cholesterol levels monitored frequently through tests, you will be able to keep an eye on your cholesterol levels, or in other words, you will only know when you develop a complication as a result of this increase. This can have serious consequences for your health and well-being because, as we have seen, high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) has a negative influence on your cardiovascular health.

Note: Your doctor will be able to advise you on when to carry out this type of analysis, as well as help you interpret the results.

Even when cholesterol levels are extremely high, there may be no symptoms. Symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and palpitations may be associated with a disease caused by increased cholesterol levels, such as agnina pectoris or even an acute myocardial infarction.

However, excess cholesterol can cause a fatty deposit in the liver, where small yellow spots can appear on the eyelids as a result of fat accumulating under the skin.

The “bad” cholesterol, LDL, is produced by the body, but some people inherit a greater tendency to produce it in large quantities. In these cases, it should be noted that eating fats and foods rich in cholesterol increases the risk of serious problems.

As mentioned, high cholesterol is one of the main causes of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and stroke. This risk can increase in people who have other health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. There are also other factors that can increase the risk, such as:

• Genetic propensity;
• The lifestyle you lead, in particular:
  • A diet high in saturated fat;
  • Sedentary lifestyle;
  • Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
  • High consumption of carbohydrates, especially refined ones;
  • Smoking;
  • Overweight and obesity.

It is therefore very important to change your lifestyle or even, if necessary, seek specialized medical support.

A healthy lifestyle is the key to fighting “bad” cholesterol and food plays a crucial role in this!

The aim of Functional Nutrition is to adapt your diet to you and your day-to-day life. You need to re-educate yourself, gain new habits and achieve a new lifestyle.

With a nutrition consultation, you get useful and simple tools to apply in your day-to-day life, learn to make healthier, more conscious choices and also to..:

• Learning to read food labels;
• Knowing what to eat when you’re away from home;
• Know the snacks that suit your tastes;
• Learning about dozens of new and interesting foods – that there is variety;
• Learning how to make the most of food: how to prepare, cook and season it;
• Understand that our surroundings influence our well-being: dealing with stress, emotional hunger, having good sleep hygiene and including exercise in everyday life.

In addition to having ongoing support you can rely on.