Cholesterol – An Essential Guide

Cholesterol is essential for the normal functioning of the human body as it helps maintain the integrity of cell membranes and is involved in many other bodily functions ¹. However, it is important that its levels are maintained within normal ranges as an increase in its levels can cause health complications including heart disease.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood and all cells. It is necessary for the normal functioning of several organs in the body. It is also involved in the synthesis of hormones. Cholesterol comes from the food that we eat and is also synthesized in the liver from its building block chemicals. Once synthesised or absorbed from the gut, it is transported to the site where it is needed by special proteins called lipoproteins. There are certain types of cholesterol in the body ²

• Low-Density Lipoproteins – LDL (also known as ‘Bad Cholesterol’)
• High-Density Lipoproteins – HDL (also known as ‘Good Cholesterol’)
• Very low-density lipoproteins that carry Triglycerides

Combined, the levels of these cholesterol types are known as ‘total cholesterol’.

LDL is present in greater amounts and if lipid levels in the blood are high, this cholesterol can get deposited in the wall of arteries. As a result, the walls of arteries get hardened and clogged, and the whole process is termed atherosclerosis. It can lead to cardiovascular events including heart attack. To prevent a rise in LDL levels, the body transports it to the liver and then it is excreted from the body. ³

How is cholesterol measured?

Cholesterol levels are tested using blood samples. It is advisable to fast overnight and give the sample in the morning. The site from which blood is to be withdrawn is cleaned using an antiseptic, a tourniquet is wrapped proximally, and the sample is collected by inserting a needle into the vein. The needle is then removed and emptied into a vial.  The site where the vein was punctured is covered by a bandage.

The whole process takes only a few minutes and is almost painless.

No specific set of precautions has to be followed after the test. You should eat something if you have been fasting before the submission of the sample and resume your daily activities.

What are normal cholesterol levels?

Cholesterol levels in the body are measured using different units. In Australia, the units commonly used are millimole per litre (mmol/L). Listed below are the cut off values for cholesterol levels in the body

• Total Cholesterol should be between – 3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L
• HDL levels should between – 0.9 to 2.1 mmol/L
• LDL levels should be between -1.7 to 3.5 mmol/L
• Triglycerides levels should be between – 0.5 to 1.7 mmol/L

What causes high cholesterol levels?

High cholesterol levels can be caused by several factors.

The most important ones are

Genetics

People with a family history are much more prone to have deranged lipid profiles than those with no significant family history.

Unhealthy lifestyle

Eating oily food, not exercising, and smoking are some activities that increase the risk of deranged blood cholesterol levels. The lipid profile of obese individuals tends to be higher than lean individuals. Increasing age is a general risk factor, cholesterol levels start rising after the age of 20. ⁴

Medical conditions

Patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, HIV, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Hypothyroidism are generally at an increased risk of having high cholesterol levels. ⁵

Medications

Medications used for acne, high blood pressure, HIV, irregular heart rhythms and those used after organ transplantation can result in elevated cholesterol levels. Anti-cancer drugs have the same effect.

Why is it important to lower blood cholesterol?

If your cholesterol levels are high, you are at a greater risk of suffering from a cardiovascular event. This is because when LDL levels rise in the blood, a process known as atherosclerosis starts. Lipid deposition begins in the wall of the blood vessels, plaque forms and then it gets hardened. This results in narrowing of the arteries and the blood flow to critical organs such as the heart decreases. Oxygen supply to the heart tissues is compromised and the cells start to suffer.  This can result in cardiovascular events including heart attack.

Given the grave consequences, it is extremely important to have a healthy lifestyle and keep cholesterol levels in check.

How to lower cholesterol levels?

Even if your cholesterol levels have increased, they can be lowered by adapting to a healthier lifestyle and making some modifications in the daily routine.

Listed below are some ways to lower cholesterol levels

Diet modification

Changes in the can help lower cholesterol levels. This can be done by reducing the intake of saturated fats and eliminating the use of trans fats. Adding soluble fibres and whey protein to the diet further helps in reducing cholesterol levels ⁶

It is discussed in detail below.

Physical activity

Moderate physical activity can result in an increase in HDL levels in the body. After consulting your doctor, you can start an exercise regimen according to your health status. Doing a workout on alternate days of the week is a good option and so is doing a brisk walk daily or cycling or playing a game that requires physical activity.

Weight loss

This is especially important for people who have a history of cardiovascular disease. Excess body fat contributes to high cholesterol levels. Some dietary modifications and exercise can help you in shedding those extra pounds. Switch to a healthier diet that is low in fat content and leaves you in a caloric deficit. Increase your physical activity and do not get tempted by cravings for unhealthy foods. Have a read of our comprehensive guide to weight loss.

Smoking

Quitting smoking improves levels of HDL cholesterol.  There are several benefits of quitting smoking. Nicotine in cigarette smoke causes narrowing of the blood vessels and blood flow to the organs is significantly reduced. Within 20 minutes of quitting smoking the blood pressure and heart rate return back to normal. After 3 months, the lung function and circulation improve. Within a year of quitting the risk of developing heart disease is halved as compared to a smoker. ⁷

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol at safe levels has proven to increase HDL levels but the benefits of alcohol consumption are very less compared to the risks it comes with. It is better to drink less if not completely stop drinking alcohol.

Which foods lower cholesterol levels?

You can make the following changes in your diet to lower your cholesterol levels:

No Trans Fats

Trans fats are present in all bakery products like cakes, cookies, margarine etc. They are mentioned on the label as “Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil”. They raise the overall cholesterol levels and should be avoided entirely.

Reduce saturated fats

These are present in red meat and full-fat dairy products. These also raise the total cholesterol levels and lead to an increase in LDL levels. Their consumption should be limited.

Increase soluble fibre

Soluble fibre reduces cholesterol absorption in the bloodstream. It should be incorporated into the diet. It is found in foods such as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples etc.

Intake of Whey protein

Studies have shown that whey protein found in dairy products has many health benefits. It lowers the total cholesterol as well as the LDL levels. It also leads to a decrease in blood pressure.

Consume omega 3 fatty acids

Omega 3 fatty acids do not have any effect on the LDL Cholesterol Levels but they do have other benefits. They improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure. Salmon, flaxseeds, mackerel and walnuts etc are rich in omega -3 fatty acids.

Exercises for lowering cholesterol levels

It is a good idea to consult your doctor before starting any exercise regime.

Moderate physical activity helps increase the levels of HDL cholesterol in the body. You can do brisk walk daily, do cycling or play any sport that you like regularly. Working out 30 minutes at least 5 times a week or doing vigorous aerobics for 20 minutes 3 times a week is a good idea too.

Alcohol consumption and cholesterol levels

Some studies have shown that consuming alcohol in moderation leads to increased levels of HDL Cholesterol. However, this is not a reason to drink alcohol as it still is a risk for many other diseases.

If you consume alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adult women, it means 1 drink per day for women of all ages. For men aged 65 and younger, it amounts to 2 drinks a day, whereas for men aged 65 or more it is 1 drink per day.

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Which medications lower cholesterol?

Many medications are used to lower cholesterol levels. We will discuss only the most important ones.

Statins

These drugs help by reducing cholesterol production in the liver and by removing excess cholesterol from the body. They are very effective in lowering the levels of LDL Cholesterol but are only mildly effective for raising HDL Cholesterol Levels. ⁸

These include atorvastatin, simvastatin, pitavastatin and more.

However, statins should be avoided in pregnancy and people suffering from liver disease. Side effects include constipation, diarrhoea, and dizziness.

Bile Acid binding resins

Bile acid is made in the liver using cholesterol. Resins help the body flush out LDL cholesterol.  They bind to bile and do not let it get reabsorbed in the intestine. Bile is flushed out of the system and more cholesterol is needed for making new bile. ⁹

Cholestyramine and Colestipol are some bile acid-binding resins. People with liver disease or gallbladder issues should avoid these. Side effects include constipation, heartburn and indigestion.

Fibrates

Fibrates help normalise cholesterol levels by lowering triglycerides and raising HDL. They can be used alone or in combination with other drugs.

Examples of Fibrates include clofibrate and gemfibrozil. People with kidney disease should not use fibrates. They should not be taken together with statins. The most common side effects include constipation, headache, and stomach pain.

Maintaining normal cholesterol levels is very important for overall well-being. If you have a family history, heart disease, or diabetes, it is even more important to get your cholesterol levels regularly tested.

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