Cholesterol is a fatty substance naturally found in the blood? It helps rebuild the cells and serves as a vital component of steroid hormones and Vitamin D. However, when we eat fatty foods, we are ingesting more cholesterol than our bodies need.
The result is an excessive buildup of fat in the arteries that can cause partial or full blockage of these vessels eventually leading to heart disease, heart attack, and even stroke. So while cholesterol is essential for normal body functioning, it is even more important to keep the cholesterol levels within normal range.
Normal values of cholesterol
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Less than 200 mg/dl — Desirable level that puts you at lower risk for coronary heart disease.
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200 to 239 mg/dl — Borderline high
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240 mg/dl and above — High blood cholesterol. A person with this level has more than twice the risk of coronary heart disease
A blood test to check cholesterol levels called a lipid panel or lipid profile.
Types of Cholesterol
There are three main types of cholesterol are:
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Low density lipoprotein (LDL)
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High density lipoprotein (HDL)
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Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)
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Triglycerides
1. Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL)
It is known as the “bad cholesterol”. LDLs are produced by the liver and carry cholesterol and other lipids from the liver to different areas of the body, like muscles, tissues, organs, and the heart. It is very important to keep LDL levels low, because high levels of LDL indicate that there is much more cholesterol in the blood stream than necessary.
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LDL levels less than 100 mg/dl ( 2.6 mmol/L) are considered optimal.
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LDL levels between 100 – 129 mg/dl (2.6–3.34 mmol/l) are considered near or above optimal.
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LDL levels between 130 – 159 mg/dl (3.36–4.13 mmol/l) are considered borderline high.
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LDL levels between 160 – 189 mg/dl (4.14 – 4.90 mmol/l) are considered high.
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LDL levels at or above 190 mg/dl (4.91 mmol/l) is considered very high.
2. High Density Lipoproteins
It is considered the “good” cholesterol. HDL is produced by the liver to carry cholesterol and other lipids (fats) from tissues and organs back to the liver for recycling or degradation. High levels of HDL are a good indicator of a healthy heart, because less cholesterol is available in the blood to attach to blood vessels and cause plaque formation.
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HDL level above more than 60 mg/dL (1.56 mmol/l) is considered high. A high HDL level is considered very healthy, since it has a protective role in guarding against heart disease.
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An acceptable HDL range is between 40- 60 mg/dl (1.04–1.56 mmol/L).
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An undesirable level of HDL is any level below 40 mg/dl (1.04 mmol/L). In this case, low HDL levels may help to contribute to heart disease.
3. Very Low Density Lipoproteins
These are lipoproteins that carry cholesterol from the liver to organs and tissues in the body. They are formed by a combination of cholesterol and triglycerides. VLDLs are heavier than low density lipoproteins, and are also associated with atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Normal value of VLDL 5-40 mg/dL.
Causative factors for High cholesterol:
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An unhealthy diet- Eating too much saturated fat can cause high cholesterol. You will find this unhealthy fat in foods that come from animals. Beef, pork, veal, milk, eggs, butter, and cheese contain saturated fat.
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Lack of exercise or physical activity
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Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
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Smoking. A chemical found in cigarettes called acrolein stops “good cholesterol” (HDL) from transporting fatty deposits to the liver, leading to atherosclerosis
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Family history of early heart disease or stroke
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Family history of a cholesterol-related condition
Symptoms:
Thus, many people don’t know that their cholesterol levels are too high. A blood test is the only way to detect high cholesterol.If you’re 20 years old or older, have your cholesterol levels checked at least once every 5 years.
How to diagnose high cholesterol?
The only way to diagnose high cholesterol is to have a blood test Taking a lipid profile is only one of the things to work out the overall risk of heart disease. They also look at things like age, blood pressure, any smoking habit, and family history. The recommended test is called a fasting lipoprotein profile. It will show the total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, the main source of cholesterol is buildup and blockage in arteries, HDL (good) cholesterol, which helps keep cholesterol from building up in your arteries, triglycerides, another form of fat in your blood.
How Homeopathy helps to cure cholesterol?
The homeopathic goal is to lower high cholesterol to desired levels to prevent coronary heart disease. Diet modification is recommended. Homeopathic treatment can help reduce the LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol by helping the body to heal the underlying illness. When the organism is healthy and balanced, the liver stops producing high levels of LDL because there is no longer healing work to be done.
High blood cholesterol is supposed to be a constitutional disease, so treatment also should be constitutional. Normal levels can be absolutely attained and maintained if Homeopathic treatment is started earlier.
Unlike other systems of medicine, which are toxic in nature during continuous usage, drugs used in Homeopathy are safe, natural and without any side-effects. In Homeopathy, medicines are highly individualized to the patient and this will help lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, raise HDL cholesterol, inhibit the formation of plaque, lower high blood pressure, detoxify the body and also enhance your immunity system. Homeopathic remedies can help maintain cardiovascular function and a healthier circulatory system.
People on multiple medications can safely take Homeopathic medicines.