6 Mistakes Men Make That Raise Their Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a word that evokes images of unhealthy eating habits and heart disease, which is not far from the truth. However, have you ever wondered what triggers elevated cholesterol levels, especially in men? This is because high levels of bad cholesterol are one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Is cholesterol and triglycerides the same thing?

Firstly, triglycerides and cholesterol are the two main types of lipids that circulate in your blood. Triglycerides are the type of fat found in the blood and are obtained from carbohydrates, while cholesterol is some waxy substance produced by the liver with numerous functions. Cholesterol has a significant impact on heart health, especially in men. Thus, it is crucial to know the mistakes men make that raise their cholesterol levels and how to prevent that from happening, which we’ve explained in this article.

Some Basics About Cholesterol

Cholesterol is an indispensable substance that coats virtually every cell in your body. It helps in the synthesis of steroid hormones (such as progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, etc.), vitamin D production, brain activity, etc. However, since cholesterol is hydrophobic and cannot travel to vital organs on its own, it needs help. This is where proteins come in. Thus, when cholesterol and proteins combine, they are called lipoproteins.

Lipoproteins are kind of like cholesterol shuttles that deliver cholesterol to different parts of the body. These come in different types, which include;

• Chylomicrons: These are responsible for transporting fats that you’ve absorbed from foods to the body tissues. It comprises mainly of triglycerides with high cholesterol levels. Chylomicrons transport dietary triglycerides and cholesterol to peripheral tissues and the liver.
• LDL (low-density lipoproteins): The density of lipoproteins implies how much protein is in the LDL shuttle (which is low). LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to the blood and then to the cells and tissues throughout the body. This lipoprotein is termed bad cholesterol because an excess of it can build up in your blood vessels and cause cardiovascular problems. It contains a high percentage of cholesterol compared to other types of lipoproteins.
• HDL (high-density lipoproteins): This is called good cholesterol because it takes the excess cholesterol and brings it back to the liver for breakdown and removal.
• VLDL (very low-density lipoproteins): This is secreted by the liver cells and is also considered bad cholesterol. Think of it like the distant cousin of LDL (but it can cause worse damage to your heart and trigger inflammation). This is because since VLDL is rich in triglycerides, it contributes these triglyceride molecules to both LDL and HDL. Consequently, it renders LDL more harmful to your body and accelerates the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries. 

Mistakes That Raise Cholesterol Levels

The following are some common mistakes that could be affecting cholesterol levels negatively:

• Not knowing their cholesterol levels: A simple blood test is all you need to achieve this. Furthermore, knowing your cholesterol levels will help you incorporate lifestyle changes to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
• Living a sedentary lifestyle: Moving around is vital for your heart and cholesterol levels as a man. One of the best ways to control cholesterol levels is to be physically active at least 3-4 days a week. Exercise could be taking long walks, jogging, swimming, or any activity that increases your heart rate but not excessively.
• Unhealthy eating habits: This takes the cake when it comes to shooting up your cholesterol levels. Also, unhealthy eating triggers weight gain around the waist or belly fat, which is no friend to cholesterol.
• Ignoring other medical conditions: There is an undeniable link between various health conditions, such as diabetes and high cholesterol levels. Therefore, failure to address these conditions can elevate your cholesterol levels.
• Overindulging in alcohol: Most alcoholic drinks contain empty calories that cause havoc to your cholesterol levels. Even if you want to take alcohol, you should not take more than two drinks in a day so as not to overwork your liver as well.
• Failure to take prescription medication religiously: Neglect or failure to take prescribed cholesterol medications is never a good idea. Even if you want to switch over to natural supplements that can regulate your cholesterol levels, such as NATURE’SFIELD CHOLESDEFENCE, you should do this gradually.

How to Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels

You don’t have to wait for your cholesterol levels to be over the roof before doing something about it. This is because high cholesterol levels have a direct correlation with the onset of various cardiovascular conditions.

Hence, apart from incorporating some lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, exercising, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake, you can use a cholesterol-regulating supplement. This is none other than NATURE’SFIELD CHOLESDEFENCE, and have your heart and arteries be eternally grateful for your wise decision.