What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a chemical compound that the body requires as a building block for cell membranes and for hormones like estrogen and testosterone. The liver produces about 80% of the body's cholesterol and the rest comes from dietary sources like meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and dairy products. Foods derived from plants contain no cholesterol.

Cholesterol content in the bloodstream is regulated by the liver. After a meal, cholesterol in the diet is absorbed from the small intestine and metabolized and stored in the liver. As the body requires cholesterol, it may be secreted by the liver.

When too much cholesterol is present in the body, it can build up in deposits called plaque along the inside walls of arteries, causing them to narrow.

What are HDL, LDL, and VLDL?

HDL, LDL, and VLDL are lipoproteins. They are a combination of fat (lipid) and protein. The lipids need to be attached to the proteins so they can move through the blood. Different types of lipoproteins have different purposes:

HDL (high-density lipoprotein)	It is sometimes called "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver then removes the cholesterol from your body.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein)	It is sometimes called "bad" cholesterol because a high LDL level leads to the buildup of plaque in your arteries.
VLDL (low-density lipoprotein)	Some people also call VLDL a "bad" cholesterol because it too contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. But VLDL and LDL are different; VLDL mainly carries triglycerides and LDL mainly carries cholesterol.

 

 

Causes of high cholesterol

High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease and a cause of heart attacks.
A build-up of cholesterol is part of the process that narrows arteries, called atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, plaques form and cause restriction of blood flow.
Reducing the intake of fat in the diet helps to manage cholesterol levels. In particular, it is helpful to limit foods that contain:

• Cholesterol: This is present in animal foods, meat, and cheese.
• Saturated fat: This occurs in some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, deep-fried, and processed foods.
• Trans fats: This occurs in some fried and processed foods.

Excess weight or obesity can also lead to higher blood LDL levels. Genetic factors can contribute to high cholesterol. People with the inherited condition familial hypercholesterolemia have very high LDL levels.

Other conditions that can lead to high cholesterol levels, include:

• diabetes
• liver or kidney disease
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• pregnancy and other conditions that increase levels of female hormones
• underactive thyroid gland
• drugs that increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol, such as progestins, anabolic steroids, and corticosteroids.

10 Foods That Can Help Lower Cholesterol

1. Raspberries
2. Barley
3. Avocados
4. Lentils
5. Edamame
6. Nuts
7. Olive Oil
8. Pears
9. Tea
10. Tomatoes

Which tea is best for lowering cholesterol?

Hibiscus has the highest recorded level of antioxidants out of all herbal teas with berries, orange peel, and peppermint tend to have similarly high levels of antioxidants. Some research indicates that antioxidants found in tea may help lower cholesterol.

At tea bird tea, you may try our Hibiscus Organic Tea.