Body Lipids And Disease

When the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides fall out from their normal range they can cause severe health problems, which are not only dangerous but can become chronic, affecting us for life.

Atherosclerosis, overweight and obesity

Heart disease is one of the main problems caused by a disruption in cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

This leads to the blockage of the normal bloodstream, which carries oxygen to all organs, including the heart and the brain. The lack of oxygen is what causes organs to fail and to suffer strokes, putting your life at risk. The organs that are most affected by the formation of plaques are both the heart and the brain.

Another common problem related to altered levels of blood lipids are overweight and obesity.

Both overweight and obesity are directly related with high levels of triglycerides in our blood, which promotes the formation of fat tissue, the accumulation of cholesterol in arteries and also cause alterations in the way our body responds to glucose, deriving in other diseases such as insulin resistance and diabetes.

Cholesterol in our diet: How to keep it low

“Low fat”does not necessarily mean “healthy”. Our body needs fats for many of the normal functions our cells carry out every day.

If you remember, both fats and carbs turn into triglycerides and are stored as adipose tissue. What’s the trick then for a healthier diet? You just have to reduce your consumption of saturated fats and increase the intake of unsaturated fats.

In order to keep low cholesterol levels you can replace butter for vegetable oils, eat fish 2 or 3 times a week and include nuts and seed in your diet.

But don’t forget about triglycerides.

See Also: What Is Wrong With Trans Unsaturated Fats?

Reduce your consumption of processed foods such as sodas, white bread and rice, starchy vegetables like potatoes and sugary food, such as sweets and donuts. Instead, increase your intake of fruit and whole wheat bread and rice, use honey instead of sugar and drink plenty of water.

“Trans fats” are another type of fats present in processed foods which have turn out to be very bad for your heart. Margarine is one of the products containing this type of fats and even though it was created as a healthy alternative for butter, it really is not. When you go to the supermarket, make sure to check in the label that what you are buying has 0% trans fats content.