The Causes of High Cholesterol

Tim | May 13, 2011

High Cholesterol

There are over 300 million people living in America and fully one third of those Americans have high cholesterol, why? Our forefathers didn’t have these type of numbers as far as we can tell, this is purely a 20th-21st century phenomenon.

Many of the common causes of high cholesterol are easy to control but as Americans we don’t seem to care or believe that a pill is the answer. Below are the most common reason for high cholesterol and more than enough to give you pause to think.

Cholesterol and Your Diet

Eating large amounts of saturated fats like the ones you have in your classic breakfast, your cholesterol level will shoot up. You will get it from unhealthy fat that comes from beef, pork, veal, milk, animal, eggs, butter and cheese. Foods packed that has coconut oil, palm oil and cocoa butter are also high in saturated fat. Good sources of saturated fat may also be found in margarine sticks, chips, crackers, shortening, cookies and other snacks.

Weight and Your Cholesterol

When you are overweight, your triglycerides go higher and HDL decreases. If the HDL decreases, it means your good fat is low. Lose the beer belly and try to attempt to get that abs you’ve always wanted.

SedentaryLifestyle and Your Cholesterol

Stop being a couch potato. Having a sedentary lifestyle will increase the bad cholesterol that you have. Also, you are decreasing the amount of good cholesterol you have in your body. Gender and Age

Once you reach the age of 20, the cholesterol levels you have will start to increase. In men, the cholesterol levels will distinctly change after 50 years old. As for women, the levels of cholesterol will remain low until menopause. After that, it will rise just like the level in men.

Your Health and Your Cholesterol

Never skip any of your annual physical exams. Make sure that your physician clearly explains your heart disease risk. In addition, diabetes and hypothyroidism may increase the cause of high cholesterol.

Family History of Cholesterol

If your dad has high levels of cholesterol, then there’s huge potential that your cholesterol levels are high.

Your Bad Habits and Your Cholesterol

You know that smoking can kill you. Yet, not all know that smoking a cigarette can decrease the levels of good cholesterol that you have.

Only you can control your cholesterol levels and you need to start doing so today. It’s not easy making lifestyle changes but once you commit to doing it your life will change dramatically,. You will begin to feel better and look better but best of all your high cholesterol levels will drop naturally without the help of prescription drugs.