Cholesterol is a substance found in the blood and cells of humans. If the cholesterol in the blood is allowed to rise above normal levels, it may increase the risk of serious diseases that affect health, such as heart disease , stroke, which if left untreated in time, may lead to loss of life. เล่นเกมคาสิโน UFABET ทันสมัย ฝากถอนง่าย High cholesterol affects people of all ages. And if you are a woman, let’s see how cholesterol and women are related. How can cholesterol or fat affect women’s health?
Benefits of Cholesterol for Women
Our bodies use cholesterol to build the nerve sheaths that surround our nerves. Cholesterol also helps the body produce vitamin D and bile, which helps digest food. Cholesterol is also necessary for the production of various hormones in the body, including sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. If the sex hormone levels in the body are not balanced, especially estrogen, when women have low estrogen, it causes cells to build fewer bones, resulting in reduced bone mass and an increased risk of osteoporosis, especially when entering menopause.
Risks for high cholesterol levels
Cholesterol is a type of fat found in every cell in the body. Cholesterol is not water soluble and is attached to special proteins called lipoproteins when transported through the circulatory system. There are two main types of cholesterol:
- LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) is considered bad cholesterol or bad fat that sticks to the walls of blood vessels, causing them to lose their elasticity and become clogged.
- HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) is considered good cholesterol or good fat that helps prevent LDL cholesterol from sticking to blood vessel walls, so blood vessels do not become clogged.
Normally, cholesterol is produced in our liver, about 1000 milligrams per day. However, there is another source of cholesterol, which is what we eat. Consuming a large amount of cholesterol can affect long-term health problems later in life, such as stroke, kidney disease, heart attack, and blindness.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome, abnormally high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy, and gestational diabetes are especially at risk for cardiovascular disease if they have high levels of “bad” cholesterol. Other risk factors include family history, smoking, and lack of exercise, older age, obesity , and other medical conditions.
Cholesterol and women: how to manage it
According to the National Institutes of Health in the United States, women should have their cholesterol tested starting at age 20. Your doctor will tell you how often you should have your cholesterol checked, based on the following factors:
- Smoking history
- Alcohol drinking behavior
- Family history of cardiovascular disease or stroke
- Hypertension
- Obesity
Women at low risk should have their cholesterol checked every three to five years. Women taking cholesterol-lowering medications need more frequent checks. According to experts, women at low risk for cardiovascular disease should keep their cholesterol levels below 200 milligrams per deciliter, their LDL cholesterol levels below 130 milligrams per deciliter, and their HDL cholesterol levels at least 50 milligrams per deciliter. Women with multiple risk factors for stroke or heart disease should keep their LDL cholesterol levels below 70 milligrams per deciliter.
Women can reduce their cholesterol levels and medical conditions by making lifestyle and behavioral changes, such as exercising, losing weight, changing their diet, quitting smoking, and taking medications. However, you should consult your doctor for the most appropriate advice.