7 Causes of High Cholesterol
Produced by the liver, cholesterol is a lipid (fat). Though it is necessary for the normal functioning of the body, having high levels of bad cholesterol can really prove harmful and lead to a number of complications. We give you some of the causes of high cholesterol.
1. Unhealthy diet
The kind of diet you take can lower or increase your chances of having high cholesterol. If you eat too much of saturated fat, then it can prove harmful. Items like pork, beef, milk, veal, cheese, and butter are rich in saturated fat. Also, packaged food items which contain palm oil, coconut oil, or cocoa butter may also have saturated fat. So, when you decide on your daily diet plan, try to stay clear of having excess saturated fat.
2. Excess weight
People who are overweight are more likely to have high cholesterol than those who have the right weight. The reason behind this is that if you are overweight, then it may increase triglycerides and decrease HDL (good cholesterol). So, if you shed those extra pounds, then it can go a long way in keeping you away from a number of problems, including high cholesterol.
3. Sedentary lifestyle
If you have a very inactive life, then it can be a big reason for high cholesterol. Owing to the lack of physical activity, your LDL or bad cholesterol increases and your HDL or good cholesterol decreases. You must exercise regularly and stay away from living a sedentary lifestyle, in order to keep the problem of high cholesterol at bay.
4. Age and gender
Your cholesterol levels also have a lot to do with your age and your sex. Once you reach the age of 20, your cholesterol levels begin to rise. In case of males, these cholesterol levels generally level off after 50. On the other hand, females have decent cholesterol levels until menopause, and after that, the levels start to rise at about the same level as the males.
