5 Things You Should Know When Your Cholesterol Is High

Cholesterol seems to be a buzzing topic, with a bit of an over-emphasis  – borderlining obsession.

Before we jump into busting some myths, let’s make sure we’re on the same page when it comes to what exactly cholesterol is.

Myth #1: “Cholesterol” is cholesterol

While cholesterol is an actual molecule, what it is bound to, while it’s floating through your blood is what’s more important – than just how much of it there is overall.  In fact, depending on what it’s combined with can have opposite effects on your arteries and heart.  Yes, opposite!

So cholesterol is just one component of a compound that floats around your blood.  These compounds contain cholesterol as well as fats and special proteins called “lipoproteins”. 

They’re grouped into two main categories:

• HDL: High Density Lipoprotein (AKA “good” cholesterol) that “cleans up” some of those infamous “arterial plaques” and transports cholesterol back to the liver.
• LDL: Low Density Lipoprotein (AKA “bad” cholesterol) that transports cholesterol from the liver (and is the kind found to accumulate in arteries and become easily oxidized hence their “badness”).

And yes, it is even more complicated than this.  Each of these categories is further broken down into subcategories which can also be measured in a blood test.

So “cholesterol” isn’t simply cholesterol because it has very different effects on your body depending on which other molecules it’s bound to in your blood, as well as their size and type and what it is actually doing there.

Myth #2: Cholesterol is bad

Cholesterol is absolutely necessary for your body to produce critical things, like vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun, your sex hormones (e.g. estrogen and testosterone), as well as bile to help you absorb dietary fats.  Not to mention that it’s incorporated into the membranes of your cells.

Talk about an important molecule!

The overall amount of cholesterol in your blood (AKA “total cholesterol”) isn’t nearly as important as how much of each kind you have in your blood.

While way too much LDL cholesterol as compared with HDL (the LDL:HDL ratio) may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease it is absolutely not the only thing to consider for heart health.

Myth #3: Eating cholesterol increases your bad cholesterol

Most of the cholesterol in your blood is made by your liver.  It’s actually not from the cholesterol you eat.  Why do you think cholesterol medications block an enzyme in your liver (HMG Co-A reductase, to be exact)?  ‘Cause that’s where it’s made!

What you eat still can affect how much cholesterol your liver produces.  After a cholesterol-rich meal your liver doesn’t need to make as much.

Myth #4: Your cholesterol should be as low as possible

As with almost everything in health and wellness, there’s a balance that needs to be maintained.  There are very few extremes that are going to serve you well.

People with too-low levels of cholesterol may have increased risk of death from other non-heart-related issues, like certain types of cancers, as well as suicide.

We commonly hear that a high level of LDL in blood increases risk of plaque formation (that cause blockages) inside arteries – raising risk of a heart attack. Conversely, the lower the LDL level, the lower the risk of heart attack.

This is a simplistic and incomplete picture.

It’s not just the total amount of LDL cholesterol that should be of concern, but also the type and size of the LDL particle. Research indicates that those whose LDL particles are predominantly small and dense, have a significantly greater risk of cardiovascular disease, whereas the large and fluffy type of LDL may actually be protective.

It’s a similar story with HDL cholesterol. Commonly perceived as the “good” type, HDL cholesterol acts like a scavenger, and removes harmful LDL cholesterol, by transporting it to the liver for processing. But we’re finding out, that the size of the HDL particle is of significance as well. This research indicates that women who had larger HDL particles had a higher risk of atherosclerosis, versus those who had smaller HDL particles.

Size really matters when it comes to cholesterol.

Myth #5: Drugs are the only way to get a good cholesterol balance

Don’t start or stop any medications without talking with your doctor.

And while drugs can certainly lower the “bad” LDL cholesterol they don’t seem to be able to raise the “good” HDL cholesterol all that well.

Guess what does?

Nutrition and exercise.

One of the most impactful ways to lower your cholesterol with diet is to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Every day.

According to this research, five servings a day (about two-and-a-half cups) appears to slightly lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. BUT pump it up to 10 servings a day, and you may lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by 28% and your risk of premature death by 31%. Simply extraordinary.

And don’t worry, the recipe below should help you add at least another salad to your day.

You can (should?) also exercise, strive for a healthy weight, stop smoking, and eat better quality fats.  That means nuts and seeds, fatty fish, avocados and olive oil.  Ditch those over-processed hydrogenated “trans” fats.

The science of cholesterol and heart health is complicated and we’re learning more every day.  You may not need to be as afraid of it as you are.  And there is a lot you can do from a nutrition and lifestyle perspective to improve your cholesterol level.

Recipe: Kale Salad With Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

Kale Salad With Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

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A refreshing and flavorful kale salad, tossed in a creamy avocado-herb chutney and topped with slightly-crispy spicy chickpeas. Now that's one salad you won't be able to resist.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Main

Servings: 5 people

Author: Shahzadi Devje

Ingredients

• 1 tin cooked chickpeas drained and rinsed1 tin cooked chickpeas drained and rinsed
• 2 tsp olive oil extra virgin2 tsp olive oil extra virgin
• 1/8 tsp turmeric powder1/8 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp paprika1 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp chilli powder red1/4 tsp chilli powder red
• 1/2 tsp salt1/2 tsp salt
• 1 bunch kale large bunch1 bunch kale large bunch
• 8 tbsp avocado chutney8 tbsp avocado chutney
• 2 tbsp dried cranberries2 tbsp dried cranberries

Instructions

• Prepare the avocado-herb chutney: https://shahzadidevje.com/recipe/herb-avocado-dip-chutney-gluten-free-vegan-healthy/
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (190 C)
• Add drained chickpeas to a mixing bowl and pat dry
• Add oil, turmeric, cumin, paprika, red chilli and salt. Toss and mix well
• Place seasoned chickpeas on a baking tray and roast for 15 minutes or until the chickpeas are golden.
• Meanwhile, strip kale leaves from the stems. Discard stems
• Wash and dry the leaves
• Tear the leaves into small pieces and place in a large bowl
• Add avocado chutney to the leaves
• With clean hands, massage kale to work in the chutney. The leaves should start glistening
• Taste and adjust seasoning with more chutney (if desired)
• Add the cranberries. Best served cold

Notes

• Add the chutney-dressing to the kale and let it soak in for a few minutes to soften the kale slightly before serving
• Add more or less chutney as desired
• You can add different herbs and spices to the chickpeas as you like
• This salad will store well in the fridge for 1-2 days
• If serving for dinner try adding some grilled veggies or tofu

Nutrition Facts

Kale Salad With Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

Amount Per Serving

Calories 167 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Sodium 403mg17%

Potassium 11mg0%

Carbohydrates 24g8%

Fiber 6g24%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 13400IU268%

Vitamin C 150.2mg182%

Calcium 120mg12%

Iron 2.3mg13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Please note the nutritional analysis values are estimates and suggestions. This nutrition facts table does not know your life - your body, including your hunger and satiety cues, change daily. It's okay to eat more or less. Say no to food guilt and instead embrace mindful eating.

References

https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/cholesterol

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5441126/

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/ATVBAHA.118.311017

https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/46/3/1029/3039477

Shahzadi Devje

Shahzadi is an award-winning registered dietitian (RD) regulated by the College of Dietitians of Ontario and certified diabetes educator (CDE), approved by the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board. A YouTuber and notorious foodie, she’s dedicated to helping you end your cooking wars, transform your health, and be the best version of yourself! Shahzadi is an on-air nutrition expert for CTV Your Morning and a regular contributor for Global News and other national media outlets.