Causes Of High Cholesterol

Most adults in the US suffer from a rise in levels if cholesterol in the body which makes them more susceptible to heart attacks, heart ailments and rise in blood pressure. This rise could be due to heredity, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercising or due to growing age. While many of these factors are within our control, some of them are not.

Studies have shown that the genetic make up of an individual has an effect on the possibility of rise in the cholesterol levels in the body.

Factors contributing to rise in the cholesterol levels include:

Familial Hypercholesterolemia. This is a condition caused due to high cholesterol levels running in the family history. People in such families stand a higher risk of getting high cholesterol.
Improper life-style like lack of exercising. People should indulge in regular exercising in order to keep the levels of HDL high and, lower the levels of LDL.
Indulgence in eating foods high in saturated fats will add further to the cholesterol level. People should have food like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fibrous foods and lean meat.
If diabetes runs in the family, the individual has higher chances of developing rise in the levels of triglycerides. This can also cause a rise in the cholesterol level.
Obesity causes rise in cholesterol level. Keeping weight gain in check will assist in overall good health and keep cholesterol levels within permissible limits.
Women should supplement their diet with estrogen especially after menopause since their HDL cholesterol levels tend to fall below required level.

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