Understand Cholesterol – Fake or Fact?

Is all cholesterol bad? Who can get cholesterol? Can you avoid getting high cholesterol? A lot of misinformation floats around regarding this waxy substance that clogs blood carrying vessels. In this explainer here, we have separated fake from fact. 

“I am only 28, I cannot get cholesterol”

“I can bring my cholesterol within the normal range only with lifestyle changes”

“Only obese people get cholesterol, I am rather fit”

Really? Think again. Read this carefully put together explainer to understand more.

Fake: Is high cholesterol a bad thing? You are made to fear the word “high” cholesterol, but it's a misleading term.

Fact: With HDL cholesterol, which is the ‘good’ cholesterol, high is good. HDL cholesterol sticks to LDL cholesterol and carries it to the liver to be used for bodily functions, making hormones and building cells.  

Surely triglycerides and LDL cholesterol are better when low as LDL cholesterol sticks to your artery walls and causes deposits which further narrow blood vessels, causing chronic health conditions.

Fake: Food is the only source of cholesterol.

Fact: It is made by liver in some part, your body uses cholesterol to produce hormones and manage nerve function. Only a tiny part comes from the food you eat.

Fake: Stop eating for joy if you have borderline/high cholesterol.

Fact:  You can enjoy your fruits and vegetables and up your complex carbohydrates and omega 3 rich foods. It's just a re-tracking of sorts. More colours, more fibre and less processed and sugary foods. Choose unsaturated fats like avocados and nuts over saturated fats.

Fake: It comes with a warning sign.

Fact: It is a silent condition. Now that's a fact. High cholesterol doesn't cause any symptoms unless you have a stroke or other extreme health event and hence it's important to regularly check it. Occassionally, xanthomas (yellowish spots of cholesterol deposits) are formed on skin in some people. Screening for cholesterol is advised to avoid risk of complications like angina, kidney dysfunction and CVD.

Fake: Once high, its a lifetime condition

Fact: Regular monitoring of cholesterol levels and lifestyle corrections can help you keep cholesterol levels in range. Visit a healthcare professional for customised plan. 

Fake: No medicines are required for cholesterol. It will auto-correct itself.

Fact: People with vulnerable conditions like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes should start medication in consultation with their healthcare providers to avoid critical risks.

Fake: Cholesterol affects everyone the same way.

Fact: False. Even target numbers are different. Somebody with a family history of heart diseases is on high alert and lower tolerance to high cholesterol levels. Women in phases like menopause, pregnancy, breastfeeding can be affected differently. Even the line of treatment for controlling the range is different and decided by doctors based on the case.

Fake: Rich diet and lack of exercise are the only cause of high cholesterol levels.

Fact: While diet and exercise are important, those with a family history are genetically predisposed to cholesterol. Secondhand smoking and over consumption of alcohol also affect these numbers. 

Fake: Those under 40 cannot get out of range values in a cholesterol test

Fact: Anybody who is fit or active can also get it for reasons like smoking, drinking or hormonal changes. It is advised to monitor the numbers regularly.