Causes of High Cholesterol

Some of the causes of high cholesterol are controllable, including diet, weight, and level of physical activity. Diets that are rich in fatty foods, particularly meat, can cause blood cholesterol imbalances. Most of the saturated fats from our diets come from animal products, so vegetarians tend to have much lower incidences of high cholesterol. Our bodies naturally make the cholesterol we need, and are equipped to handle a certain amount of cholesterol introduced by diet. However the system can be overrun if a person is not careful. If there is too much cholesterol for the HDL to clear, high blood cholesterol can result. Diets high in simple carbohydrates can also lower HDL, shifting the balance dangerously toward unhealthy cholesterol levels and a higher proportion of LDL.

Carrying excessive weight can cause an increase in LDL levels and a decrease in HDL levels, which can lead to high blood pressure. Researchers have found a particularly strong correlation between abdominal obesity and high LDL levels. They have also found a strong correlation between abdominal obesity and an unhealthy metabolism which may promote the formation of oxidized LDL, the damaging particle that can lead to atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular complications. Physical inactivity can lead to metabolic problems and high cholesterol. Losing as few as ten pounds can bring blood cholesterol closer to a healthy balance. By leading a more active life, including regular exercise, a healthier metabolism and body weight can be maintained.

Other medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and hypothyroidism (a hormonal disorder) can lead to high cholesterol, as well as certain medications used to treat HIV. Cigarette smoking can reduce your HDL levels, which is further complicated by the narrowing effects that nicotine has on the blood vessels, which can lead to high blood pressure. Alcoholism and anorexia nervosa can also result in high cholesterol.

Causes of high cholesterol that cannot be controlled include age, gender, and family history. Blood cholesterol levels tend to rise as a person ages, though men are more at risk for developing high cholesterol in their younger years and should begin monitoring their cholesterol closely after age 45. The incidence of high cholesterol in women goes up substantially after menopause, during which the LDL levels tend to increase due to the many hormonal changes that occur. If high blood cholesterol runs in your family, then you are predisposed to developing it as well, and should begin to monitor it early.

Conventional Treatment for High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is normally treated through diet, restricting the intake of foods containing saturated fats. Full fat dairy products, meats, snack foods, deep fried foods, and most desserts are eliminated from the diet to both reduce cholesterol levels and also help the patient lose weight. Healthy diets composed of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats can help lower cholesterol and help the patient lose weight. Low fat substitutions can be made for dairy products. Having fish at least twice a week can help lower cholesterol, as it is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which has been shown to lower LDL and increase HDL. Oats, which are rich in soluble fiber, are commonly suggested for maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels, as they can lower LDL without lowering HDL levels. Diets high in fiber are also excellent for assisting in weight loss.

For a long time eggs had a bad reputation for raising blood cholesterol. While it is true that more than half of the calories in eggs come from the fat in the yolk, only 27% of the fat is saturated, and eggs are rich in many nutrients. Eggs don't need to be avoided completely, but they should be eaten in moderation, no more than one or two per day. The same goes for shrimp and other seafood which, in addition to containing some cholesterol also contain those valuable omega-3 fatty acids. Much of the fat intake associated with seafood has more to do with how it is prepared, for example with butter or battered and fried.

In addition to a healthier diet, regular exercise is also recommended to keep the cardiovascular system in good shape and help reduce any excess body fat. Weight loss, particularly around the waistline, can do wonders to reduce elevated cholesterol. Doctors also recommend that patients with high cholesterol quit smoking, reduce drinking to no more than one or two drinks per day, and take special care of any existing medical conditions that may promote high cholesterol.

Cholesterol may also be controlled through medications. These are typically prescribed in addition to the recommended lifestyle changes. Statins are medications that decrease the rate of cholesterol production in your body. This will lower the cholesterol concentration in the blood and help remove cholesterol that has built up in the arteries. Resins are a category of drugs that help lower the LDL levels in the blood, reducing this "bad cholesterol." Fibrates increase HDL levels, which help lower the overall level of cholesterol in your blood since this "good cholesterol" is instrumental in helping to remove cholesterol from the blood so that it can be excreted. Finally, physicians may prescribe cholesterol absorption inhibitors, which prevent the intestines from taking up cholesterol. Any of these drugs may be recommended alone or in combination depending on the patient's existing risk factors and medical conditions.

Patients Medical Treatment for High Cholesterol

First, we will begin with a personalized assessment of your physical health, taking note of dietary, genetic, and medical factors that may be causing your high cholesterol. Although genetic conditions may make it so that diet and lifestyle changes are not enough to bring blood cholesterol to healthy levels, our goal is to help minimize the need for the commonly prescribed cholesterol lowering medications. Many of these medications have unpleasant side effects, especially when used in combination, and may not interact well with other foods or medications that you need to take. We will design a personal treatment program to promote healthier weight and blood cholesterol, and also make sure that you are personally involved in monitoring your blood cholesterol during this treatment.

The main thrust of our cholesterol treatment is dietary, as there are numerous natural ways to lower cholesterol. In addition to the conventional dietary recommendations described above, we also recommend the introduction of plant sterols (also known as phytosterols) into the diet. Chemically speaking, cholesterol is a sterol, though with a slightly different molecular structure. Because of the similarity in structures, however, phytosterols can effectively block cholesterol absorption sites in the intestine, thus lowering cholesterol. Phytosterols are sometimes added to fortified foods, but can also be found naturally in most fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds and nuts. Flaxseeds and soybeans are particularly rich sources of phytosterols.

Guggulipid is an extract from the guggul plant which has been used in traditional Hindu medicine. It is unclear how it works, but it has been used for heart ailments for nearly 3,000 years and appears to bind with cholesterol and block intestinal absorption. Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, can also lower cholesterol levels. It is found in sunflower oil, soybeans, corn, and safflower. Garlic, artichoke leaves (which may be consumed in extract form), and policosanol (fatty compounds from rice bran) can also help balance blood cholesterol levels.

The dosages of all supplements will be carefully monitored and your blood cholesterol levels will be regularly tested so that the progress of your treatment can be assessed. In addition to the dietary recommendations, we will also help outline an exercise regimen to help improve body composition, which will also be examined periodically during your treatment. As holistic physicians, we will work with you to ensure the best personalized care to help you reach your health goals.

We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 900 (Between 42nd & 43rd Street), Manhattan, New York, NY 10017.