What Causes High Cholesterol?

If you recall, we mentioned that cholesterol can only attach to the inner lining of the artery if it has been damaged.  How does that damage occur?

Evidence points to “free radical” damage as being one of the culprits of arterial wall damage.  Free radicals are found all around us.  They are highly reactive substances like polluted air, radiation, tobacco smoke, herbicides, and naturally within our own bodies as an offshoot of regular metabolic processes. 

Free radicals attack and damage cells altering normal cell activity.  You see it around you every day causing metal to rust and fruit to spoil.  This is why we take anti-oxidants like vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and selenium, to combat the attack of free radicals.

Heredity plays a role in high cholesterol.  Your genes can influence your LDL by affecting how fast it is made and removed from your blood.  There is one particular form of inherited high cholesterol that will often lead to early heart disease.  It is called familial “hypercholesterolemia” and can play a role in 1 of 500 people.

Weight is a factor in determining your LDL.  If you have a high LDL level and are overweight, losing those pounds may help you to lower it.  Additionally, losing weight also helps to lower triglycerides and raise your HDL.

Age and sex should be considered as well.  Women, before menopause, usually have total cholesterol levels that are lower than men.  This changes as men and women age.  Levels will rise until reaching age 60 to 65.  For women, menopause can cause an increase in LDL and a decrease in HDL.  After the age of 50 women often have higher total cholesterol levels than men of the same age.

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