CONTACT US: Sales: 0908 8145876 | 0908 8145870 || Accredited Hospitals: 0917 8834111 | 0908 8145874 || Cebu Office: 0912 474 3930 | 0967 340 3743
CONTACT US:
Sales: 0908 8145876 | 0908 8145870 ||
Accredited Hospitals: 0917 8834111 | 0908 8145874 || Cebu Office: 0912 474 3930 | 0967 340 3743
Filipinos are passionate about food, from savory kare-kare and sisig, to creamy leche flan and halo-halo. It’s probably no secret that Filipino cuisine is a feast for the taste buds. However, overindulging in fried or fatty mouthwatering Pinoy dishes might sometimes lead to a spike in cholesterol levels.
You probably heard the famous line, “masarap ang bawal”. Bakit nga ba? Many delicious food, such as fried dishes, are high in saturated fat and trans fat which can increase your cholesterol levels, while others are high in sodium and lack essential nutrients. Too much cholesterol in your blood can clog your arteries and lead to different health issues such as heart disease.
Take a closer look at the things that you should know to avoid raising your cholesterol levels.
Heart.org defines cholesterol as a fat-like, waxy substance that circulates in your blood. Blood cholesterol comes from the liver and aids the body in building healthy cells, vitamins, and other hormones. The liver is responsible for producing the cholesterol that the body needs. Another source of cholesterol is food, referred to as dietary cholesterol. Food items such as eggs, milk, cheese, and meat contain cholesterol that can lead to heart issues such as heart disease when it reaches high levels.
Some people can be genetically predisposed to have high cholesterol levels, but it is often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices.
There are two types of cholesterol:
1. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL), a.k.a. as “bad” cholesterol – High levels of LDL can result in a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries.
2. High-density lipoproteins (HDL), a.k.a. “good” cholesterol – It brings cholesterol from other areas of your body to your liver. Then your liver gets rid of the cholesterol from your body.
When your cholesterol level is high, you can develop fatty deposits (also called plaques) in your blood vessels, resulting in the hardening and narrowing of the arteries. As these deposits continue to accumulate, they can disrupt the blood flow through your arteries. Since your blood is responsible for bringing oxygen, a problem like this can deprive your heart from getting enough oxygen, causing angina (chest pain). In severe cases, the blockage of blood flow can result in a stroke or heart attack.
According to the Mayo Clinic, high cholesterol may not present any symptoms. Your doctor can request a blood test to detect if you have high cholesterol.
● Diabetes
● Hypothyroidism
● Chronic kidney disease
● Lupus
● HIV/AIDS
Cholesterol levels may also be negatively influenced by medications for the following health conditions:
● High blood pressure
● Irregular heart rhythms
● Cancer
● Acne
● HIV/AIDS
● Organ transplants
The following risk factors can contribute to elevated cholesterol levels:
● Poor diet – A diet high in trans fat (often found in fried foods, commercial baked goods, shortening, frozen pizza, etc.) or saturated fat (contained in butter, lard, cheese, fatty cuts of meat, etc.) can increase cholesterol levels.
● Lack of physical activity – Staying active helps raise your HDL (good cholesterol). Whereas, lack of exercise or a sedentary lifestyle will make it hard for your body to remove deposits of LDL from your vascular system.
● Obesity – Excess weight can elevate your LDL and increase the risk of heart problems and other health issues. According to WebMD, every 10 pounds that you’re overweight can trigger the body to produce up to 10 milligrams of additional cholesterol per day.
● Smoking – This can decrease your HDL and increase your LDL.
● Alcohol – The alcohol in your body breaks down in your liver and contributes to your cholesterol and triglycerides.
● Age – Older adults (ages 40 and up) generally have higher levels of cholesterol because the liver becomes less able to get rid of LDL.
You can lower your cholesterol level by making heart-healthy lifestyle choices. Here are some tips to prevent high cholesterol levels:
● Minimize sodium intake by using fresh herbs and spices instead of salt. Be more aware of your sodium intake by reading food labels,
● Consume more veggies, fruits, and whole grains.
● Avoid processed foods such as frozen meals, canned soups, and fast-food dishes.
● Limit your consumption of animal fat.
● Exercise more to maintain a healthy weight.
● Avoid alcohol but if you can’t, drink moderately.
● Do not smoke.
● Learn to manage stress.
Healthcare experts recommend men ages 45-65 and women ages 55-65 to get cholesterol screenings at least every one to two years. While individuals over 65 are highly advised to get annual cholesterol tests.
If you have cholesterol levels higher than the normal range, your physician may recommend lifestyle changes. Individuals with high cholesterol and have a family history of high cholesterol or other risk factors may be given maintenance medicine to control cholesterol.
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