Cardiologist Dr. Ekaterina Baukova confirms that following a healthy diet, avoiding fatty and smoked foods, and exercising regularly helps to lower bad cholesterol.
She explained that cholesterol is a fatty substance essential for cell function and is also involved in the production of vitamin D and sex hormones. It travels in the blood via two types of lipoproteins: low-density lipoproteins (LDL), known as "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), known as "good" cholesterol. When LDL cholesterol levels are high, it accumulates on the walls of blood vessels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and stroke.
She said: “First, the diet should be reviewed by reducing the consumption of full-fat dairy products, fatty meats, sausages, offal, and egg yolks, and replacing them with lean meats, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Physical activity is also essential, as it is recommended to do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking or swimming, along with two sessions a week of high-intensity exercise.”
She added that these measures combined contribute significantly to reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis and its complications, stressing that accurate risk assessment and choosing or modifying the appropriate treatment require consultation with a specialist physician.
She pointed out that high levels of LDL cholesterol rarely occur suddenly, but are usually the result of a combination of factors, including lack of physical activity, a diet high in fat, smoking, alcohol consumption, and certain medications, as well as a number of medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, which leads to decreased hormone production and a slower metabolism, in addition to kidney disease and diabetes. Genetic factors may also play a role in high cholesterol levels.
