The trouble of high level of cholesterol gives rise to many critical diseases which includes heart disease, but it may be easily managed by adopting healthy eating habits. Before mentioning about the problem of high cholesterol level, it is essential to know that what is it?

What is cholesterol?

• High Density lipoprotein (HDL) is a good cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) is a bad cholesterol.
• HDL is very light and it carries the fat stored in the blood vessels with it.
• Bad cholesterol is extra viscous and thick. If its amount is excessive, it accumulates at the walls of blood vessels and arteries, thereby obstructing the flow of blood. Its growth can cause problems like heart attack, high blood pressure and obesity.
•  A blood test called lipid profile is perform to check cholesterol. The total cholesterol in the body of a healthy person should be less than 200 mg/dL.
• If some things are included in the diet in a conscious way, then increasing cholesterol can be controlled.

Causes of cholesterol:
Diet is the root cause of increasing cholesterol but there are other reasons along with it which are as follows:

• Unhealthy diet: High cholesterol can arise even if the body uses saturated fat in its entirety. Saturated fat is found in foods that are high in cholesterol and fat. Such as red fatty meat, butter, cheese, cake, ghee etc. are such foods. Avoid overeating them and reduce the intake of such high-fat foods.
• Hereditary reasons: If someone in your family has had high cholesterol then it is a cause for concern for you too. This genetic high cholesterol also causes premature blockage and stroke.
• Stress: When people are under stress, they consume smoking, alcohol consumption and fatty food to calm themselves. Therefore, prolonged stress causes an increase in blood cholesterol.
• Disease: Some diseases like sugar and hypothyroidism etc. also higher the level of cholesterol in the body. For this reason, keep getting regular medical check-ups done to keep cholesterol levels under control.

Symptoms of cholesterol:
All these symptoms are very common:

• Headache: If you are often troubled by headaches or you sometimes feel very lightheaded, then be careful, as these can be symptoms of increased cholesterol. Actually, due to cholesterol, there is no proper blood supply in all the veins of the head, then such a problem comes. For this reason, problems like headache and dizziness or loss of sensation can occur.

• Shortness of breath: If you start feeling short of breath after some work or hard work, then it can be a sign of increased cholesterol. There can be many reasons for shortness of breath or tiredness, but if this is happening then you must get your cholesterol checked. Due to increase in cholesterol, you start feeling tired without doing much work. Usually, obese people have more of this problem.

• Obesity: If you feel that you are suddenly getting fat without any special reason, then it can also be a sign of increased cholesterol. Apart from this, if you feel heaviness in the stomach or you sweat more than usual and feel hot, then you should get your cholesterol checked.

• Chest pain or discomfort: The risk of heart diseases and stroke mainly increases due to increased cholesterol. So, if you feel chest pain, restlessness or if your heart starts beating very loudly, these could be signs of high cholesterol. Ignoring it can prove to be fatal for you, so in such a situation, get it checked by a doctor immediately and manage your cholesterol. The appearance of small boils or skin tags under the eyes or on the neck is also a sign that your cholesterol level is rising.

Natural remedies to manage Cholesterol:
Generally, people first try home remedies to reduce cholesterol. Let us know which are some such home remedies which help in reducing cholesterol:

• Walnuts: Walnuts are a storehouse of strength. By consuming 4 walnuts daily, our body receives immediate energy in addition to many vitamins like calcium, magnesium, omega-3, fiber, copper and phosphorous are determined in it. By eating four walnuts daily in the morning, the cholesterol deposited in the blood vessels starts melting and it is very beneficial in sending your bad cholesterol again to the liver, so make a habit of eating 4 walnuts daily.

• Garlic: Some enzymes are found in garlic, which prove to be helpful in reducing LDL cholesterol. According to study, everyday consumption of garlic can reduce the level of LDL cholesterol by nine to fifteen percent. Eating two cloves of garlic peeled daily is beneficial for health.

• Oats: The thick sticky substance called beta glucan present in oats, while cleaning our intestines, removes the problem of constipation. Due to this, the absorption of bad cholesterol in the body is not possible. It has been proved by the studies done by scientists that if oats are consumed regularly for three months, then it can reduce the level of cholesterol by up to 5 percent.

regularly for three months, then it can reduce the level of cholesterol by up to 5 percent.

• Soybeans: Soybeans, pulses and sprouted grains help the liver to remove LDL cholesterol present in the blood. These things are also useful in good cholesterol.

• Lemon: Some such soluble fiber is found in all citrus fruits including lemon, which prevents bad cholesterol from going into the blood stream in the food bag itself. Vitamin-C present in such fruits cleans the blood vessel tubes. In this way, bad cholesterol receives out of the body thru the digestive system. Such enzymes are located in citrus fruits, that are beneficial in decreasing cholesterol by rushing up the method of metabolism.

• Olive oil: The mono unsaturated fat present in it helps in keeping the cholesterol level stable. It strengthens the walls of the artery. This reduces the risk of heart disease. It also excessive blood pressure and sugar level. It has been proved from studies that if meals made in olive oil is eaten constantly for 6 weeks, then it could reduce the level of cholesterol through up to eight percent.

• Amla: Cholesterol levels can be reduced by taking it regularly in the morning on an empty stomach, mixing one spoon of amla juice with one spoon of aloe vera juice. Vitamin-C and citric acid are found in high amounts in amla, which is very important in reducing cholesterol.

• Vitamin C: All the fruits containing vitamin-C and citric acid are very beneficial for the patients of cholesterol like- Amla, pomegranate, lemon, orange, mosambi etc. are good for you.

• Bengal gram: Black gram is often eaten as a vegetable in homes. Nutrients like vitamin-A, B, C, D, calcium, fiber, iron, carbohydrates, magnesium and phosphorus are found in black gram. People who have high cholesterol should consume black gram. Leave a handful of black grams soaked in water overnight and eat these grams on an empty stomach in the morning. Also, do not throw away the water in which the chickpeas were soaked, but drink that water as well. Apart from this, consuming roasted gram is also useful for you.

• Raisins: Soak 10 to 12 raisins and 6 to 7 almonds in water overnight. Consuming raisins on an empty stomach in the morning also allows in controlling cholesterol. Cholesterol patients should consume them regularly, keep in mind that if you have sugar then do not consume raisins.

• Mustard oil: Mustard oil is used the most in our India, but in the last few years people have started using many other types of ghee, refined and other oily oils, due to which the complaints of increasing cholesterol in people also started increasing.

Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fatty acids are also found in very high amounts in mustard oil, which are very beneficial in terms of health. If you have cholesterol problem then always use mustard oil only.

When to go to a doctor:
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, then go to the doctor immediately:

• Continuous weight gain despite exercising or not eating much is a sign of high cholesterol.
• If you start breathing even after walking a little.
• In general, feeling more tired in the body is also a sign that cholesterol is increased in the body. In this case, without delay, contact the doctor immediately.
• Do not ignore excessive sweating.
• Constant pain in your feet without much running or doing any other work.
• There is headache or pain in the brain every day.
• If the blood pressure starts to remain high.
• There is any kind of discomfort in the chest or a feeling of restlessness starts.
• Even if the heart is beating vigorously, you should get a checkup from the doctor immediately.