What Causes High Cholesterol?

There are several different factors that can contribute to high cholesterol levels in the body. While most of these factors are lifestyle behaviors that can be changed, the only one that we do not have any influence over is heredity.

There is one form of high cholesterol called hypercholesterolemia that affects two out of every thousand persons. This hereditary disease can lead to heart disease if left untreated. For the rest of us heredity still plays a role in our cholesterol levels thanks to our genes. The body’s genes determine how much bad (LDL) cholesterol is made and how fast the body gets rid of it.

What we eat will determine our cholesterol levels. There is the old saying, you are what you eat. This saying is so true. Both saturated fats and trans fats will cause cholesterol levels to increase. Eating foods that are deep fried should be avoided. Also all those fast food restaurants, even when they say they have healthy menu options, should be avoided, too. Consuming too many fats not only raises cholesterol but can clog artery walls and lead to a heart attack. The best way to avoid these fats is to read the nutritional labels on the back of food items at your grocery store. While some saturated fats cannot be avoided, since it is in the meat we ate, you should avoid as much of it as you can.

Another cause of high cholesterol is our weight. Obesity is a serious problem that can be corrected through changing our diets of fatty foods to fresh foods and vegetables and lean meats. The lack of exercise and physical activity can cause anyone to gain weight. Losing weight through exercise does not have to be a chore. The easiest exercise is to take a walk fifteen to twenty minute walk around the block three times a week.

Drinking alcoholic beverage should be avoided. Consuming small amounts of alcohol like a glass of wine every few days can be beneficial in helping to increase good (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, alcohol does not get rid of bad cholesterol. Also drinking heavily all the time can lead to other medical problems.