The doctor talked about the effect of food on cholesterol levels in the body

The British charity Heart UK has learned that almost half of all adults in England have above-average cholesterol levels, while the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 10 Americans (34 million people) have cholesterol levels exceeding the high mark of 240 mg/dl. This was reported by the BBC Science Focus magazine.

Such people are at high risk of having a heart attack and may not even be aware of it. High cholesterol is not accompanied by obvious symptoms, and if a person has not recently had blood tests or has not encountered medical problems, then the blood count most likely remains a mystery to him.

In case of concern, you should consult a doctor, who, if there are appropriate reasons, can recommend medications to lower cholesterol. For example, statin, which is used by 8 million people in the UK and 40 million in the USA.

At the same time, if the cholesterol level is not too high or there are no specific medical indications for taking them, there are many ways to naturally lower cholesterol. First of all, physical activity. According to a 2013 study, aerobic exercise, including running or cycling, can lower the level of "bad" cholesterol and increase the level of "good" by about 5%.

Getting rid of such a bad habit as smoking is also called useful, since tobacco smoke increases the level of "bad" cholesterol and increases health risks. A 2019 study showed that vaping can have a similar effect.

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Riyaz Patel, a cardiologist at University College London and a doctor at the National Health Service of Great Britain, in turn, called dietary changes the most effective way to improve cholesterol levels.

According to the journal, cholesterol itself is not harmful. On the contrary, it is an important component of cell membranes and helps produce hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, as well as essential for survival. Cholesterol plays an important role in the synthesis of vitamin D and bile acids, which break down food.

The problem occurs when there is too much of a certain type of cholesterol in the human body, called "low-density cholesterol" (LDL).

"It's important to understand exactly what kind of cholesterol you have elevated. Fat-like cholesterol cannot float freely in the blood. It must be packaged in particles called cholesterol lipoproteins," said Patel.

These lipoproteins transport cholesterol through the body, while LDL delivers it from the liver to the bloodstream. At the same time, high-density cholesterol (HDL) returns it from the bloodstream to the liver. However, LDL, moving through the bloodstream, often collides with the inner lining of the arteries, the endothelium.

It is noted that this does not pose a problem for healthy arteries, however, in case of damage from high blood pressure, smoking, pollution, aging, inflammation or other factors, LDL can get stuck inside. As a result, plaque begins to form on it.

"Heart attacks happen when a piece of plaque breaks off, forming a blood clot and clogging an artery. Therefore, the presence of plaque is a problem," Patel explained.

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The doctor called oatmeal a great way to lower cholesterol levels because it contains soluble fiber, which reduces its level. Soluble fiber is also found in whole grains, lentils, beans, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds and can bind to dietary cholesterol in the small intestine. This prevents it from entering the bloodstream.

The specialist also noted sterols and stanols, plant compounds. They are found in fortified yogurts and spreads or supplements that the body mistakes for cholesterol. When eating foods containing cholesterol, receptors in the intestine recognize it and absorb it into the bloodstream. Sterols and stanols can trick these receptors.

"They're probably the best way to lower cholesterol without drugs, usually by 10%. They are very effective," Patel stressed.

However, he noted that eggs contain a lot of dietary cholesterol. The expert also stressed that eating more saturated fats is associated with an increase in LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. The doctor added that sugar can also affect cholesterol levels. The expert called for eating everything in moderation, calling it the optimal strategy.

"When I consult my patients, I recommend eating a varied, balanced diet that is not overloaded with carbohydrates and saturated fats, and minimizing consumption of ultra-processed foods," Patel concluded.

Ekaterina Paukova, a cardiologist at the Sberbank Health medical company, in an interview with Izvestia on September 9, pointed out the close relationship between the risk of developing cardiovascular disasters and the presence of cholesterol plaques. Among the triggers for the development of atherosclerotic plaques, she noted damage to the inner layer of blood vessels and an excess of "bad" cholesterol in the blood.

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