High cholesterol, technically known as hypercholesterolemia, is a condition in which there are abnormally high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is obtained from several sources – diet, production within the body, and “recycling”. In Recycling, cholesterol is absorbed from the bile, which itself is produced by the body – and is essential for the human body. However, when cholesterol levels are too high, the result can be a number of health problems, of which the most common is cardiovascular disease.
Triglycerides are only one element in measuring cholesterol levels in the body. The others are LDLs or low density lipoproteins, HDLs or high density lipoproteins, and VLDLs or very low density lipoproteins. HDLs are thought to be an indicator of good cholesterol, but as yet, it is not known which of the other elements has a bigger impact on health. Some experts pay the most attention to levels of LDL cholesterol, but others consider triglycerides to have more of an impact on health. There is however no question that high levels of triglycerides have a harmful effect on one’s health.
Triglycerides are the main compound of most animal fats as well as to a lesser extent vegetable oils. They are an important source of energy, but also cause a number of health problems. It is therefore important to keep them under control. Since diet is a major factor in triglyceride levels in the body, dietary measures are very important in controlling levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.
If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol and have high levels of triglycerides, you need to reduce your consumption of fats and carbohydrates. Consumption of fats of course has a direct impact on levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, but carbohydrates also affect these levels indirectly. Consumption of carbohydrates leads to an increase in production of insulin, and this in turn leads to an increase in the production of triglycerides. Consumption of alcohol also has a harmful effect, and should therefore be limited.
A diet that is specifically meant for people with cholesterol problems should be low in fatty foods. This will ensure that the supply of cholesterol is limited. However, certain oils are extremely important as they can bring down levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, apart from merely avoiding increasing them.
Omega 3 fatty acids are extremely important here, and can be obtained from fish and flax seed. Exercise, aerobic exercise in particular, also helps to keep cholesterol levels and triglyceride production under control. You should therefore take up some form of aerobic exercise on a daily basis. Certain medications are also effective in controlling triglyceride levels, but these tend to have side effects and should be used only under medical supervision.