Do you also have questions about cholesterol? Let's talk about everything simply!

You've probably heard the word 'cholesterol' a lot when you go to a clinic or when an adult at home talks, right? Some people are very afraid of it, while others don't really understand it. What exactly is cholesterol? Why should we be so concerned about it? Today, let's understand all this simply, as if we were talking to a friend.

What exactly is cholesterol?

Simply put, cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that is naturally produced in our bodies. It is mainly made by our liver. We also get cholesterol from some of the foods we eat. In fact, cholesterol is essential for the normal functioning of the body.

Think of our body as a house. Cholesterol is like a special mortar used to build the walls of this house. Every cell in our body contains cholesterol in its membranes, including the cells in our brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestines, and even the heart. So, cholesterol is essential for the body.

So why should we be so afraid of cholesterol?

The problem starts, like anything else, when cholesterol becomes too high in the body. If that happens, you are at a much higher risk of developing diseases like cardiovascular diseases.

Just like a water pipe gets clogged with dirt and rust over time, when cholesterol increases, it starts to build up in the walls of the arteries that carry blood to our heart. In medicine, cholesterol builds up in the arteries in this way, which is what we call atherosclerosis . When arteries become clogged in this way, the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the heart decreases. This increases the risk of dangerous conditions like chest pain, heart attacks, and strokes .

What is the difference between "good" and "bad" cholesterol?

If you look at a cholesterol report, you will see that there are two types: LDL and HDL. It is very important to understand the difference between the two.

• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol: This is what we call "bad" cholesterol. Like someone who litters on the street, this LDL cholesterol is what deposits itself on the walls of blood vessels and clogs them. The higher the LDL level, the higher the risk of heart disease.

• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol: This is what we call "good" cholesterol. Like a garbage truck, HDL cholesterol removes the "bad" LDL cholesterol that has built up in the blood vessels and carries it back to the liver. So the higher the HDL level, the better for us.

What should cholesterol levels be like?

Doctors recommend keeping your total cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL. But you can't make decisions based on just one number. You need to look at the whole picture.

• LDL ("bad") cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL is very good. Between 130-159 is borderline high. Above 190 is a very high risk for heart disease, stroke, and other diseases.
• HDL ("good") cholesterol: The higher this is, the better. 60 mg/dL or higher is very good. Anything below 40 is a risk factor for heart disease.
• Triglycerides: This is another type of fat in the blood. It is best to keep these below 150 mg/dL. If they are above 200, treatment may be necessary.

What can you do to lower cholesterol?

The good news is that we can go a long way in controlling our cholesterol levels by making lifestyle changes. Here are some things we can do:

• A good diet:
• Reduce foods high in oil, fat, and cholesterol (e.g., red meat, sausages, pizza, butter, high-fat dairy foods) as much as possible.
• Remove the skin from things like chicken and eat it.
• Cook food by boiling, broiling, grilling, or steaming rather than frying.
• Add lots of fruits, vegetables, and herbs to your diet.
• When eating bread and rice, choose ones made with whole grains (e.g., whole-wheat rice, urad dal, atta flour).

• Exercise:
• Do at least 30 minutes of exercise a day that makes you sweat and gets your breathing rate up. Things like brisk walking, running, cycling, and swimming are all great.
• Important: Talk to your doctor for advice on what exercises are suitable and safe for you.

• Other things:
• If you are overweight, try to lose weight .
• If you smoke, stop immediately. Smoking lowers "good" HDL cholesterol and damages blood vessels.
• If you have any medications prescribed by your doctor, take them exactly as prescribed, at the right time, and in the right dosage.

What are the medications used to lower cholesterol?

If lifestyle changes alone don't control your cholesterol levels, your doctor may prescribe medication. Some of the most commonly used medications are:

• Types of statins
• Ezetimibe
• PCSK9 inhibitors
• Bile-acid resins
• Niacin
• Fibrates

At what age should you start checking your cholesterol?

The buildup of cholesterol in the arteries (atherosclerosis) is something that happens gradually over many years, so it's important to pay attention to your cholesterol levels at a young age .

It is generally recommended that you have your cholesterol checked once between the ages of 9 and 11, and again between the ages of 17 and 21. It is wise to have your cholesterol checked even earlier, especially if someone in your family has had heart disease at a young age, or if you have a family history of high cholesterol .

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