High cholesterol: Nutritionist reveals top prevention tips
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High cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. The production of cholesterol plays a number of important roles in the body, such as building the structure of cell membranes and aiding metabolism. However, consistently high levels of cholesterol can clog up your arteries, raising your risk of heart disease.
Unfortunately, this process often goes undetected.
However, high cholesterol levels can occasionally bubble up to the surface of the body.
Research published in the Dental Research Journal suggests Fordyce granules (FGs) on the “border of lip” may signal elevated cholesterol levels.
Fordyce granules are small yellowish or whitish spots that can appear on the lips.
The aim of the study was to explore any potential relationship between the detection of FGs and the elevated cholesterol levels.
The participants in the study were divided into two groups: the first group consisted of individuals with FGs and the second group included those with no FGs detected.
All participants were fasting nine to 12 hours before they were subjected to a comprehensive oral examination and their blood was sampled and tested for a complete lipid profile.
Lipid profile is a blood test that can measure the amount of cholesterol and other fatty deposits in your blood.
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The researchers found that those individuals with “elevated lipid profile” tend to have the highest score of the FGs.
“According to this report, the presence of high numbers of FGs in people with high risk factors for cardiovascular disease should not be neglected,” they concluded.
How to test for high cholesterol
The general absence of symptoms means high cholesterol can only be diagnosed through a blood test.
According to the NHS, your GP might suggest having a test if they think your cholesterol level could be high.
“This may be because of your age, weight or another condition you have (like high blood pressure or diabetes),” explains the health body.
It adds: “Ask your GP surgery for a cholesterol test if you have not had a test before and you’re over 40, overweight, or have high cholesterol or heart problems run in your family.”
How to lower high cholesterol
Healthy eating can make a huge difference to your cholesterol levels and your heart health, whether your cholesterol has crept up over the years or you have a genetic condition.
There are several foods which are not just part of a healthy diet, they can actively help to lower your cholesterol too.
“Cutting down on saturated fat and replacing some of it with unsaturated fats is a great way to lower your cholesterol,” explains cholesterol charity Heart UK.
Saturated fat is the kind of fat found in butter, lard, ghee, fatty meats and cheese.
Foods containing unsaturated fats include:
- Vegetable oils such as olive, sunflower, corn, rapeseed, nut and seed oilsA
- Avocado, nuts and seeds
- Fat spreads made from vegetable oils, such as sunflower and olive oil
- Oily fish.
“Oily fish are a good source of healthy unsaturated fats, specifically a type called omega-3 fats,” notes Heart UK.
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