What Causes Hyperlipidemia?

Cholesterol is a waxy kind of fat generated in the liver and is an essential component of building healthy cells. There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), considered bad because of its tendency to collect in blood vessels and contribute to heart disease, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), called good cholesterol thanks to its ability to clear out those build-ups of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream. Balancing the body's production and consumption of these two types of cholesterol is at the heart of treating hyperlipidemia. Several factors can influence this balance. Get to know these causes now.

Diet With Foods High In Cholesterol

Diet is one of the largest contributing factors to overall health and possibly the easiest to alter. Foods rich in saturated fat raise bad cholesterol. These foods often come from animal sources and include red meats, poultry with the skin attached, cooking fats like shortening or lard, and high-fat dairy, such as whole milk and cheeses. Bad cholesterol is also highly prevalent in baked goods and many of our modern-day processed foods.

Depending on an individual's level of cardiac function, healthcare experts recommend the consumption of only eleven to twenty-two grams of saturated fat a day. Alternatively, fish and most plant-based foods are rich in heart-healthy good cholesterol. But, be aware not all vegetable products are created equally. Oils derived from tropical plants, like coconut and palm, are high in saturated fat and can carry similar risk factors to their animal-based alternatives.

Trans fats are considered to be the most dangerous of all fats. They are artificially processed from vegetable oils and are most commonly found in commercial products like pastries, packaged snacks, and fried foods. Trans fats have no beneficial effects on the body and do double damage to it by not only increasing the levels of bad cholesterol but also decreasing good cholesterol. Healthcare experts universally agree trans fats should be avoided.

Lack Of Exercise

Exercise can have a dramatic, positive impact on cholesterol by lowering triglycerides (fat in the blood) and by increasing the level of good cholesterol in the body. Although exercise itself does not decrease levels of bad cholesterol, if significant weight loss is achieved, LDL levels may lower as a result. Exercise has also been linked to lowering stress and promoting better sleep. Theories suggest over time, the body's natural hormonal response to stress can lead to higher levels of cholesterol. In addition, how an individual responds to stress can lead them to make poor dietary or lifestyle choices, risking further cholesterol growth. Studies indicate quality rest and better stress management can have both short and long-term benefits on cholesterol. It is recommended for individuals to get at least forty minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise three times a week to help maintain healthy levels of cholesterol.