High cholesterol, also known as hypercholesterolemia, is the result of unhealthy eating habits. It is important to have a balanced diet, in which foods with too much cholesterol are consumed in moderation. For this, a nutritionist should be consulted to receive the correct individual professional advice.
In addition to being caused by a poor diet, high cholesterol can also be caused by genes that are inherited from parents. Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit entity dedicated to clinical practice, education and research, indicates that there are other factors that can also cause hypercholesterolemia:
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Diabetes.
- VIH o SIDA.
- hypothyroidism
- Lupus.
Some medications can also make these levels worse. Those used for conditions such as:
- Acne.
- Cancer.
- High blood pressure.
- VIH o SIDA.
- Irregular heart rhythms.
- Organ transplants.
It is important to perform periodic medical examinations to verify that these levels are in the normal range, because high cholesterol does not usually present symptoms. As explained by Medline Plus, website of the US National Library of Medicine, starting at age 20, people should have this exam every five years. Observing the figures of this type of fat is essential to avoid heart disease.
“If their blood levels rise, they produce hypercholesterolemia. It has been shown that people with blood cholesterol levels of 240 have twice the risk of suffering a myocardial infarction than those with figures of 200″, explains the Spanish Heart Foundation.
the website better with health highlights the properties of a home remedy that can help lower high blood cholesterol and strengthen the immune system. It should be noted that before consuming this type of drink, you should consult a doctor.
Here are the ingredients needed to make this home remedy:
Ingredients
- 4 cloves of garlic.
- 4 small lemons.
- 3 liters of warm water.
Process
- Peel and cut the garlic.
- Cut the lemons into slices.
- In a bowl, add the garlic and lemon and stir.
- Add the warm water.
- Transfer the mixture to the blender and process for several seconds.
- Deposit in a glass container and keep in the refrigerator for three days.
- After this time, strain the drink.
- It should be consumed as follows: take 50 ml three times a day, before each main meal. Better to Health makes a recommendation and that is to start “gradually consuming only 1 or 2 tablespoons before meals.” This should be consumed for 40 days.
Healthy blood cholesterol ranges
For persons 19 years of age or younger:
- Total cholesterol: less than 170 mg/dl
- Non-HDL: less than 120 mg/dl
- LDL: menos de 100 mg/dl
- HDL: more than 45 mg/dl
Men 20 years or older:
Women 20 years or older:
- Colesterol total: 125 a 200 mg/dl
- Non-HDL: less than 130 mg/dl
- LDL: less than 100 mg/dl
- HDL: 50 mg/dl o mayor
What foods to include in the balanced diet?
- Healthy fats: total fat and saturated fat should be reduced. Medline Plus Explain that “no more than 25 to 35% of your daily calories should come from dietary fat, and less than 7% of your daily calories should come from saturated fat”
- Fruits and vegetables: Including at least five pieces of fruit and vegetables a day helps lower blood cholesterol levels.
- trans fat: This is one of the most harmful fats for the body. This type of fat can raise bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower good cholesterol (HDL). Stick butter should be avoided.chips and crackers.