Contents
1. What is hypercholesterolemia ?
2. Causes of hypercholesterolemia
3.How lifestyle affects plasma cholesterol level.
4.How to lower plasma cholesterol level
5.Medications for high cholesterol
Hypercholesterolemia:
In simple words when the plasma cholesterol concentration level increases more than 200 mg/dl is known as hypercholesterolemia.
There are many health conditions that arises as results of hypercholesterolemia. Also there are many disorders which may lead to hypercholesterolemia.
Causes of hypercholesterolemia:
In the following disorders hypercholesterolemia or increased cholesterol level is observed :
◾ Diabetes Mellitus : In diabetes mellitus formation of cholesterol in the body increases because of the the the more and more production of of acetyl CoA.
◾ Hypothyroidism : hypothyroidism aur myxedema leads to to increase cholesterol level,this is considered to be because of decrease in in HDL receptor on hepatocytes.
◾ Obstructive Jaundice : Excretion of cholesterol take place through the Bile.Because of obstruction in the excretion, in case of obstructive jaundice plasma cholesterol level increases.
◾ Nephrotic Syndrome: In this disorder concentration of the plasma globulin increases.Elevation of cholesterol level occurs because of increasing lipoprotein fraction in the plasma.
Effects of Hypercholesterolemia:
Hypercholesterolemia is is related to to some serious health condition like atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
HDL cholesterol(High Density Lipoprotein) is reduces chances of coronary heart disease whereas LDL cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein)promotes coronary heart disease.
Cholesterol in our body performs a wide range of functions.
High concentration of cholesterol in LDL is bad for health as it is related to to atherosclerosis ,that is why LDL is said to be bad cholesterol or lethally dangerous lipoprotein.
Whereas HDL cholesterol is considered as good cholesterol as it's high concentration prevents atherogenesis,that is why HDL cholesterol is also known as highly desirable lipoprotein.
How lifestyle affects plasma cholesterol level:
Lifestyle and habits plays very important role in maintaining serum cholesterol level and hence play a significant role in development of coronary heart disease(CHD). Taking so much stress and high blood pressure promotes hypercholesterolemia. Drinking so much of coffee,soft water may increase cholesterol level. Lack of exercise,obesity lead to the elevation of cholesterol level. So having a good and healthy lifestyle can reducers risk many diseases.
How to lower plasma cholesterol level:
Some of the measures you can take to reduce plasma cholesterol level.
🔻 Consumption of PUFA :
Polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption in diet helps in lowering plasma cholesterol level.It helps in cholesterol transport and excretion from the body. Foods containing rich PUFA are sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, fish oil ,cottonseed oil etc. Coconut oil and ghee also contain PUFA.
🔻 Cholesterol Diets:
There is minimal influence of dietary cholesterol on plasma cholesterol. It is advised to take dietary cholesterol less than 300 milligram per day. It reduces the the absorption of dietary cholesterol from intestine.
🔻Lifestyle :
Lifestyle of a person can also influence plasma cholesterol level. People taking so much stress, people with smoking habit, abdominal obesity,high blood pressure, lack of exercise, consumption of soft water promotes elevation of plasma cholesterol.
🔻Avoid high carbohydrate diet:
Foods containing high carbohydrate should be avoided in order to to control hypercholesterolaemia.
🔻 Alcohol consumption:
Chronic alcoholism can increase cholesterol level in the body.
🔻 Medication to reduce cholesterol level(Hypercholesterolemia)
There are some drugs which are used to to control the cholesterol synthesis in the body. Lovastatin is used which inhibit HMG CoA reductase and hence reduces cholesterol synthesis. Some statins includes simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin are in use currently. Statins are taken at night to get the maximum effect as the HMG-CoA reductase activity is highest about 6 hours after dark. There are some drugs like colestipol and Cholestyramine that binds with bile acids and reduces their intestinal absorption. This helps cholesterol to convert into bile acids and get excreted through feces. Ezetimide in hi cholesterol absorption in the intestine and thereby reduces the serum cholesterol. The drug clofibrate increases lipoprotein lipase activity which helps in reducing plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol.
