Cholesterol LDL increased: how to reduce and what is its norm?

Cholesterol is a substance that is needed by every cell of the body. It is contained in the composition of cell membranes. Cholesterol is not in itself in the blood serum, but is a single complex with proteins that transfer it. Such compounds are called lipoproteins.

The role of cholesterol

Cholesterol performs a very important function for the body:

• This is one of the important constituents of cell membranes, it is responsible for their permeability;
• Serves as a precursor for the formation of steroid hormones (androgens, estrogens, corticosterone, cortisol, etc.);
• With his participation, the synthesis of bile acids.

Total cholesterol has no prognostic value in determining the possible risk of developing ischemic and other heart diseases, but its increased importance suggests the need for a detailed study of the metabolism of lipoproteins.

Types of lipoproteins

There are several types of lipoproteins known, but only two of the most important of them are distinguished:

1. LDL - low density.
2. HDL - high density.

The role of each of them is strictly defined and directly opposite in the mechanism of lipid metabolism disorders (HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol), the norm of these indices is respectively up to 1.05 mmol / l and 4.5 mmol / l. In addition, cholesterol fractions include triglycerides. All these components are determined in a study called a lipidogram. In this biochemical analysis the quantitative content of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides is determined.

LDL is a "bad" cholesterol, and its elevated concentration may indicate an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. LPVN, in contrast, acts as a protective factor against the onset of atherosclerosis.

Cholesterol HDL cholesterol

Values of LDL cholesterol below 1.03 mmol / l may indicate a serious risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis, regardless of the concentration of total cholesterol. These indicators are indicators of early detection of such risks, and are also used to assess the effect of treatment aimed at lowering the concentration of lipids in the blood.

HDL cholesterol levels of 1.55 mmol / L or more, on the contrary, suggest that the risk factor for cardiovascular disease is negative or is reduced to zero.

About 25% of the total cholesterol is transported in the LBV fraction.

LDL Cholesterol

High LDL cholesterol plays a major role in the development of heart disease and may indicate hereditary hyperlipidemia. This is proved by numerous epidemiological and clinical studies, which also demonstrate its atherogenic properties. In the event that LDL cholesterol is elevated in combination with triglycerides, this combination may indicate an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis. This combination allows early diagnosis of this disease. The results of these studies allow to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy, which is aimed at lowering the serum lipids.

If LDL cholesterol is lowered, this may be due to malnutrition or impaired absorption.

Approximately 70% of the total structure of cholesterol is occupied by LDL.

LDL cholesterol is elevated. Than it is dangerous?

In simple terms, "bad" cholesterol (LDL) is a molecule that can oxidize and penetrate into blood vessels, forming atherosclerotic plaques on their inner side. They greatly impede blood flow and can even completely block the lumen of the blood vessel and form a thrombus. This can lead to the development of acute myocardial infarction.

The formation of such a blood clot in a vessel supplying blood to the brain can provoke a stroke.

Because the lumen of the vessels narrows, the blood, saturated with oxygen, enters the heart muscle in insufficient quantities. This provokes the development of ischemic and other heart diseases. In addition, the walls of the vessels on which atherosclerotic plaques are concentrated lose their elasticity. If LDL cholesterol is elevated, it strikes both the heart and the vessels.

An increase in the level of LDL can trigger the development of obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, as well as cholelithiasis, etc.

LDL cholesterol: the norm in women and men

Consider the normal values of LDL cholesterol.

Age	The Men	Women	unit of measurement
Up to 19 years	1.5-3.6	1.5-3.9	Mmol / l
20 to 29 years old	1.5-4.5	1.5-4.2
From 30 to 39 years old	2.0-4.9	1.8-4.4
From 40 to 49 years old	2.3-5.3	2.0-4.9
From 50 to 59 years old	2.3-5.3	2.3-5.7
From 60 to 69 years old	2.3-5.6	2.6-6.0
70 and over	2.3-4.9	2.4-5.6

The table below shows how, depending on age and gender, one of the main lipidogram fractions, LDL cholesterol, changes. The norm in women is slightly different from the male. This is due to differences in the hormonal background of members of different sexes. Normal LDL in men aged 20 to 60 years is slightly higher than in the beautiful half. However, at a more mature age, everything changes, and LDL cholesterol (the norm) in women catches up with male indicators and even gets a little higher. So affects the lack of female hormones in menopause.

Also at its level can affect the regional identity. For example, the concentration of cholesterol in residents of India and Pakistan is slightly higher than that of other ethnogroups.

Causes of increased LDL

The increase in LDL can be influenced by several factors:

• Nutritional factors - irrational nutrition;
• Insufficiently mobile way of life;
• Violation of metabolic processes - excess body weight;
• smoking;
• Alcohol abuse;
• Endocrine diseases - diabetes, hypothyroidism;
• hypertension;
• Liver disease;
• Hereditary hyperlipoproteinemia.

How to determine the level of LDL?

To determine the level of cholesterol enough to donate blood from the vein in the treatment room of any clinic. It will require a referral from the doctor for the analysis of LDL cholesterol. It can be obtained at a reception with a therapist, cardiologist, surgeon or in a pre-hospital room.

Blood for the analysis of LDL cholesterol is given in the morning on an empty stomach. On the eve it is desirable not to eat fatty foods, and dinner should be no later than 19.00. Otherwise, the true cholesterol values may be somewhat distorted.

The result of the analysis can be obtained the next day. If it turns out that LDL cholesterol is elevated, the doctor will prescribe the treatment. With a total cholesterol score of more than 10 mmol / L and a high LDL fraction, hospitalization in the cardiac department or outpatient treatment may be suggested. Most likely, will be recommended for taking statins. If LDL cholesterol is elevated, as well as general and non-pharmacological methods do not help, then taking statins can be prescribed for life.

Lowering cholesterol without drugs

Before you start reducing cholesterol drugs, you need to try to do this with a special diet and exercise. How to reduce LDL cholesterol without tablets? Regular moderate exercise will help in resolving this issue. It is not necessary to go to the gym and train hard there. If there are no diseases of the cardiovascular system, you can make small 30-minute runs in your spare time, but you need to monitor the pulse. It should not be higher than usual by more than 80%, i.e., immediately after jogging, the pulse is 100-140 beats per minute - this is the norm. And in 5-10 minutes he should return to his normal values - 60-80 beats per minute.

Sometimes jogging is contraindicated, in this case, a perfect solution will be a 40-minute walk on foot at a normal pace.

Diet for lowering cholesterol

Simultaneously with physical exertion, you should change your taste preferences. This can be difficult, but it's about health, so this step is necessary.

Exclude from the diet should be all foods that contain a lot of saturated fat. These include:

• All sausage products;
• All meat semi-finished products;
• All baking and baking, cakes and biscuits;
• Fatty meat;
• fat;
• Vegetable oil (except soy, rapeseed and corn);
• Cream and sour cream;
• mayonnaise;
• Hard sorts of cheese.

Fruits, fresh vegetables and freshly squeezed juices from them, on the contrary, are recommended to be included in your diet. Sea fish will also be useful, since it contains omega-3 fatty acids. Especially useful are sardines and salmon, but the fish should not be salty or fried. It is best to cook it for a couple or bake in the oven.

Incomplete green tea also reduces cholesterol to some extent, since flavonoids are included in its composition, they are able to strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

Some experts believe that the use of red wine in very small quantities can reduce the level of bad cholesterol. Other scientists disagree with these data and say that alcohol, even in small doses, harms the body. Therefore, it is better to postpone such treatment until all specialists come to a common opinion.

It is well established that there are products, the regular use of which can lower the cholesterol level by 10%. These include:

1. Nuts - they can inhibit the absorption of saturated fats by the body. But they should be consumed in limited quantities (no more than 10-12 pieces per day), since they are too high in calories.
2. Cereals - oats, barley, as well as wild rice and bran contain the fiber necessary for good digestion.
3. Soy, more accurately the isoflavones contained in it, can lower LDL cholesterol.
4. Polyunsaturated vegetable oils (soybean, linseed, walnut, rapeseed and corn) can be eaten with high cholesterol. These oils contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can reduce cholesterol. They are recommended to fill salads with fresh vegetables.
5. Sea fish should at least 3 times a week be included in the menu.
6. Any fruit and vegetables contain soluble fibers, they help to remove LDL cholesterol from the body. It is especially useful to include cabbage, carrots, citrus fruits, apples and apricots in the diet. Beans are especially useful beans.
7. It is believed that garlic, especially in combination with lemon, is able to clear blood cholesterol plaques . These two products are part of a large number of folk recipes for the purification of blood vessels and the reduction of cholesterol.

If the LDL cholesterol is below normal, this state of treatment does not require. This can be the result of malnutrition and low-calorie diets. In this case, you should return to a balanced diet. It would be enough.

Treatment medication

As it was found out, the increase in the level of LDL cholesterol plays one of the main roles in the development of atherosclerosis. To prevent the formation of this disease and its complications, it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of this substance, especially if there is a predisposition to its increase. If the LDL cholesterol is increased, the treatment should be performed by a cardiologist.

If diet and exercise did not help to cope with high cholesterol, you should take medication prescribed by your doctor. It can be:

• Statins;
• Niacin (nicotinic acid);
• Fibrates or fibrin acid salts that lower triglyceride levels and increase LBWH, respectively lowering the "bad" cholesterol-LDL fraction;
• Bile acid sequestrants;
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors (Ezetimibe);
• Food additives containing in their composition omega-3 fatty acids.

Statins

About statins should be discussed in more detail. They are chemicals that can reduce the production of enzymes. Without them, the synthesis of cholesterol in the body is impossible.

It is important to remember that you need to take statins separately from other drugs that reduce cholesterol, and they can not be combined with taking grapefruit juice. This is due to the fact that grapefruit contains substances that can affect the liver enzyme responsible for the destruction of statins. Thus, the body accumulates an increased concentration of statins, more than necessary. This can lead to impaired liver function and destruction of the muscle structure.

The most common in Russia are the following types of statins:

• The drug "Lovastatin" - is able to reduce cholesterol by 25%.
• The drug "fluvastatin" - lowers cholesterol by 29%.
• Medication "Simvastatin" - reduces the level of cholesterol by 38%.
• The drug "Atorvastatin" - is able to lower the concentration of cholesterol by 47%.
• The drug "Rosuvastatin" (another name is "Mertenil") - the most effective of statins widely known, lowers cholesterol to 55%.

Natural Statins

In addition to drugs, in nature there are many plants containing natural statins, but the concentration of these substances in plant raw materials is much less than in medicinal products. However, they can also be used for treatment.

Statins are found in the leaves and roots of Eleutherococcus and Ginseng, leaves of plantain and dry mushroom chaga. A few fewer of them in plants that can be found in the suburban areas are:

• Schisandra;
• fenugreek;
• St. John's wort;
• hawthorn;
• Leuzea safflower;
• Rhodiola rosea.

This vegetable raw material can be used individually or mixed and prepared from it water infusions in a water bath and taken during meals. This treatment is long, its duration can go up to 4-6 months or more.

Conclusion

If non-medicinal measures against cholesterol do not help, and its indicators are still high, then you should consult a doctor and follow his recommendations.