Cholesterol Imbalance - Symptoms, Causes, Related Health Problems

Cholesterol Imbalance - Symptoms, Causes, Related Health Problems

Cholesterol imbalances are common. High cholesterol, called hypercholesterolemia, is more common than low cholesterol. The optimal range for total cholesterol in the bloodstream is between 180 and 220 mg/dL. Ideally, your LDL cholesterol should be below 100 mg/dL and your HDL should be at least 50 mg/dL.

LDL cholesterol is sometimes referred to as “bad,” while HDL is often referred to as “good.” The reasons for this are that LDL gets stuck in the bloodstream and can become oxidized (hardened) on the walls of blood vessels, while HDL carries LDL from the bloodstream back to the liver for processing or disposal.

Some blood cholesterol comes from the foods you eat. But most of it is produced by the liver. It is believed that eliminating cholesterol from the diet would only cause the liver to produce more, since cholesterol is needed for a variety of purposes in your body.

Hypercholesterolemia is considered a major risk factor for heart disease. So this is the biggest problem associated with cholesterol imbalance. The next sections of this article cover the causes and symptoms of hypercholesterolemia and low cholesterol.

Causes

A subtype of hypercholesterolemia is called familial hypercholesterolemia. It is caused by a genetic defect and is quite uncommon. Most cases of hypercholesterolemia are caused by one or more of the following:

· Excessive alcohol consumption – stimulates the liver to produce more cholesterol

· Smoking cigarettes

· Type II diabetes

· Metabolic syndrome

· Obesity

· Lack of physical activity

· Unhealthy diet

Although cholesterol in the diet has a very small impact on blood cholesterol levels, saturated fats and trans fats have a large impact. Excessive saturated or trans fat in your regular diet can cause hypercholesterolemia.

Sucrose and fructose can increase LDL levels. Sugary snacks, soft drinks, and fruit juices are the main sources of sucrose and fructose in the average diet.

Low fiber intake is another cause. Fiber absorbs cholesterol from the foods you eat and transports it out of the body. Fiber can also prevent the reabsorption of cholesterol in the small intestine.

Symptoms

Hypercholesterolemia does not cause symptoms early in life. Young people with a history of familial hypercholesterolemia should be urgently evaluated for early treatment, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. Untreated familial hypercholesterolemia can cause visible symptoms. Yellow deposits may form under the skin around the eyes, on the palms of the hands, and on the knees or elbows.

When hypercholesterolemia lasts for decades, it contributes to the formation of plaques that can partially or completely block the arteries. A symptom of insufficient blood supply to the legs caused by this type of partial occlusion is calf pain when walking. If the intestines are affected, a symptom may be abdominal pain after eating.

Low cholesterol can cause a variety of symptoms, including depression and muscle pain. Drug treatment for hypercholesterolemia is one of the causes of dangerously low cholesterol levels. The drugs also inhibit the production of coenzyme Q10 in the liver. CO Q-10 depletion in the muscles can lead to muscle death.

The dangers of hypercholesterolemia and low cholesterol can be avoided without medication. My next article will cover healthy, natural ways to balance your cholesterol levels.

Inspired by Larry L. Taylor