Health Check - Elevated cholesterol levels

Elevated cholesterol levels – a ticking time bomb

on Monday, 07 November 2016.

cholesterol is vital. But in large quantities, the fat-like substance can become a ticking time bomb – especially if it is stored in the body as LDL cholesterol bound, i.e. as a lipoprotein with a large lipid or fat content.

“The problem is that you don’t notice that your cholesterol level is too high at first. But too much cholesterol in the blood accumulates in the blood vessels over time. Arteriosclerosis, a narrowing of the blood vessels, with a significantly increased risk of Stroke and one Heart attack and the development of Alzheimer’s dementia are the result,” warns Dr. Reinhold Lunow, internist and medical director of the practice clinic Bornheim near Cologne and Bonn.

Therefore, it is highly advisable to regularly check your cholesterol level and other substances of fat metabolism, which Triglycerides, to be determined by a specialist. Because elevated triglyceride levels also place a heavy burden on the cardiovascular system. By detecting these Risk factors A lot can be achieved by changing your lifestyle and, if necessary, by taking medication.

Avoid being overweight

As with so many diseases, overweight also plays a major role in connection with increased cholesterol levels. Overweight people often eat a diet rich in fat, with lots of fried food and lots of cold cuts, which in turn has a negative effect on cholesterol levels and increases the LDL content in particular. "It is advisable to eat a balanced diet. Nutrition"Of course, fats can and should be consumed, but they have to be the right ones. Unsaturated fatty acids, such as those found in sea fish and vegetable oils, belong in a healthy diet," recommends Dr. Lunow.

Apples protect against high cholesterol

Current study shows: Apples are “LDL blockers”

Vegetables and fruit should also be part of the main foods. A recent study from the USA shows that apples in particular are strong cholesterol blockers. In the study by scientists from Florida State University, 160 women aged 45 to 65 were given 75 g of dried fruit every day - either apples or plums. The participants' blood was tested after 3 months. The result: In contrast to the plum eaters, the LDL cholesterol levels of the apple eaters had fallen by 23% after just six months. In addition, the women in the apple group lost an average of 1,5 kg. The reason could be the pectin in the apple, which makes the body feel more full than many other substances. An apple normally weighs 150 to 200 g, the women ate only 75 g a day, albeit as dried fruit. To achieve a similar cholesterol-lowering effect, you would have to eat at least two apples a day.

Cholesterol check is important for everyone

But high cholesterol levels are not only a result of poor nutrition, they can also be increased by a hereditary predisposition. "Slim people in particular who eat a balanced diet usually do not think about such a risk. But it is a fact that checking cholesterol levels is useful for all weight classes. From a medical point of view, it is important to identify possible risks early on as part of a annual vascular checks or a complete health checks Only then can you react accordingly. At the Bornheim practice clinic we offer our patients various, individually tailored check-ups, if desired, include a Nutritional consultation and of course prescribe medication to patients with severely elevated cholesterol,” summarizes Dr. Lunow.