Most of the cholesterol in the body is made in the liver and is needed for good health.
However, some forms of cholesterol can cause several health problems, including damage to the liver.
Cholesterol is a fat molecule found in some foods and made in the liver.
There are two main forms of cholesterol, one that is useful for the body, and another that can build up and cause health problems. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are the two main types of cholesterol.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a benchmark for healthy LDL and HDL levels in the blood, which are as follows:
- LDL should be less than 100 mg/dL
- HDL should be 40 mg/dL or higher
Effects of high cholesterol
When a person has high LDL levels, this condition can increase the risk of several health problems.
Cholesterol can build up in the arteries, which are the main blood vessels in the body.
As a result, the arteries can become narrower thereby limiting the supply of blood and oxygen to the organs.
Narrowing of blood vessels can also increase the risk of blood clots.
If blood flow to the heart is restricted, this condition can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, including angina, heart attack, and heart failure.
Meanwhile, if blood flow to the brain is restricted, this condition can increase the risk of stroke.
Can liver disease cause high cholesterol?
Basically, there are various liver diseases.
Hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD are some of the most common liver diseases.
Liver disease causes damage to the liver that causes the liver to not work properly.
One of the functions of the liver is to break down cholesterol.
If the liver does not work properly, this condition can cause cholesterol to build up in the body.
How does cholesterol affect the liver?
High cholesterol can lead to NAFLD, a condition that can cause long-term liver damage.
NAFLD can increase your risk of health problems, such as stroke or diabetes.
If the condition is found and treated at an early stage, it is often possible to stop it from getting worse.
A person can also reduce the amount of fat in their liver at an early stage.
Prevention
A person can help prevent health problems, such as liver damage, by reducing high levels of LDL cholesterol.
They can lower cholesterol by eating a healthy diet, which is eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
Saturated fat contains high levels of cholesterol. Many fast foods, cakes, butter, fatty meats, such as sausage, full-fat cheese, and cream contain saturated fat.
In addition, doing regular exercise can help lower one's cholesterol and stay away from smoking.
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