Cholesterol in the blood is elevated: symptoms, causes, treatment. Products that raise blood cholesterol

Thanks to various healthy food propaganda, the well-known fact that cholesterol is the main threatening factor for the development of such a formidable disease as its atherosclerosis. However, how much truth is in this phrase from a medical point of view? Let's try to figure this out.

Introduction

So, atherosclerosis is a serious disease of the cardiovascular system, affecting almost 100% of the population to 50 (in men) -60 (in women) years. It develops gradually and is dangerous for human life, not so much by its presence, as by the complications arising on its background. And the high content of cholesterol in the blood, which is found in all patients with this disease, is not at all its cause. The fact is that all pathological changes in the vessels can not develop in principle, if they are initially healthy. And if a person has been diagnosed with arterial hypertension or diabetes for a long time, if the patient abuses smoking or alcohol, has a sedentary lifestyle or is obese, then all the changes peculiar to atherosclerosis will gradually begin to occur on the basis of the already existing violations of the vascular wall. And if initially the cholesterol in the blood is elevated, then only all this together will cause the development of the disease.

Risk factors

In addition to those already mentioned, there are other risk factors for atherosclerosis. First of all, this is the sex and age category of the patients. It has been scientifically proven that atherosclerosis affects men more often, especially over the age of 50-55, in women less often, older than 60-65. This is explained by the different amount of production of estrogens, female sex hormones, available in both sexes, but prevailing at times, of course, in women. The action of these biologically active substances is manifested in the utilization of all excess lipids and cholesterol from the blood stream in the fat depot and liver with the help of special transporters - high-density lipoproteins. By the way, their formation is also increased by the action of estrogens, which causes a later development of the disease in women. However, after menopause, the number of hormones begins to decrease, and then ladies will be atherosclerosis on a par with men, especially if initially the cholesterol in the blood is elevated. But this may already be due to deficiencies in nutrition, that is, the consumption of fatty meat, fried, high-calorie foods.

Pathomorphology of atherosclerosis

So, what all the same changes occur in the vessels, that eventually show signs of increased cholesterol in the blood? And the answer is not so complicated. The fact is that the normal wall arteries smooth, shiny, easily expandable due to the muscle layer and elastic fibers, and under the influence of special factors, it can both expand and contract. And if it was originally damaged by the above atherogenic factors (smoking, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, old age), then it begins to permeate with fats that are in the bloodstream. This is how the first stage develops - lipid bands and spots.

Stages of development

Then the condition becomes worse, then the total cholesterol in the blood is already raised. The thing is that the number of those of its transporters is increasing, which normally carry it down to the wall of the vessels - the so-called. Lipoproteins of low and very low density. And gradually the arteries are more and more saturated with fat and cholesterol, until these spots begin to protrude above the wall surface, i.e. An atherosclerotic plaque is formed, which gradually all increases, is covered with a fibrin cap and thereby stabilized. However, if at this stage a person continues to damage his health, this calm plaque begins to be damaged. It ulcerates, the lid can come off completely, and the same pathological changes occur in other parts of the vessel wall.

The result of the disease

Cholesterol in the blood is increased at times, its transporters only manage to remove it into tissues, and the liver can not cope with its excess. Because of all these damages, the vessels lose their extensibility, become more sensitive to vasoconstrictors (factors that narrow them), increases arterial hypertension, the main "pump" begins to suffer. Also, atherosclerosis damages vessels of ever smaller caliber, the most important of which are coronary (own arteries of the heart) and cerebral arteries. Plaques that block the blood flow and narrow the lumen of the arteries, all grow, and eventually there comes a sharp ischemia of the organs. The most threatening conditions against this background are myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke of the brain.

General recommendations

At any stage of development of atherosclerosis, stabilization of the condition and prevention of the development of the most dangerous complications primarily depend on the patient's consciousness. If the cholesterol in the blood were not increased initially, if the patient did not aggravate his condition with the abuse of toxic substances, tobacco and alcohol, led a mobile way of life and brought his weight even slightly closer to the norm, the progression of this life-threatening disease would cease. Therefore, the doctor should first of all recommend the patient to regulate his regime and nutrition, to engage in as much as possible physical culture, spend his weekend outdoors, and not on the sofa in front of the TV. Refuse to smoke and drink alcohol-containing beverages, eat more vegetables, fruits, natural juices, fish, low-fat meat, cook food primarily for steaming or boiled. Thus, it is necessary to eliminate all causes of elevated blood cholesterol by all means, and then to treat existing background disease. In an extreme case, special drugs that stabilize its concentration are used - statins.

The main reason is malnutrition

And now let's figure out why cholesterol in the blood is elevated. The main reason for this is, of course, the irrational nutrition of the person, because of what this substance, necessary for the synthesis of many hormones and the formation of the cell membrane, is not disposed of correctly and circulates in the blood as part of its transporters. And, most importantly, is there in excess. So, the products that increase cholesterol in the blood are secreted. First of all, it is, of course, fatty varieties of meat - beef and pork. Moreover, it should be remembered that even in their fillets there is enough cholesterol. Further, it is meat of poultry - geese, ducks, turkeys.

Other products

Thirdly, it's eggs, cooked on their basis mayonnaise and high-calorie dairy products - creamy maso, sour cream (especially homemade), cheese, fat yogurt. However, it should be remembered that cholesterol is concentrated in the yolk, but egg white is required for humans, since it contains essential amino acids and is assimilated by 100%, so you can only consume the white part of the egg or limit the amount to one or two pieces per week. And the top of the list of harmful food not only for atherogenic action - semi-finished products, industrial pastries and fast food. Other products that increase cholesterol in the blood are processed meat products. That is sausages, sausages, cold boiled pork, ham and other types of smoked products.

What to do?

Of course, the main issue that worries patients, if in their biochemical blood test was found increased cholesterol: "What should I do?" First, transfer it (analysis) to your doctor in order that he conduct other laboratory and instrumental studies to diagnose your diagnosis and prescribe corrective treatment. However, in your power to help him in this very much. Namely, reduce this most elevated cholesterol. What to do with your diet to achieve the normalization of the indicators, you will be prompted by the therapeutic diet (table) №10с. It is indicated for all patients with ischemic heart disease and hypertension due to atherosclerotic vascular lesions.

Diet № 10-С

Its goal is to prevent the further development of the disease, namely: to reduce excess weight, to provide all energy needs without overloading internal organs, to improve metabolism and blood circulation of the heart and brain, so that heart attack and stroke are excluded. Since the treatment of high cholesterol in the blood for the most part depends on nutrition! First of all, it sharply reduces the content of animal fats and those carbohydrates that are easily digested. In addition, the amount of water consumed and table salt, and, of course, cholesterol is limited. And, on the contrary, the content of the most important for the heart microelements (potassium, magnesium), vitamins (B and C), dietary fiber. Food is mainly cooked with boiled and stewed methods. In addition, it is recommended fractional frequent meals - in 4-5 receptions per day.

Main part

Speaking in detail, with this diet, the products from muffins or puff pastry are completely excluded from the patient's diet, any broths (except vegetable, but not legumes), fatty meat and poultry, as well as canned food, sausages, smoked products and brains, Salted or smoked fish and caviar, dairy products of high fat content (cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream). In addition, it is very important not to eat chocolate, ice cream and confectionery with cream, mustard and pepper, fish, meat and mushroom sauces, strong coffee, tea or cocoa. On the contrary, it is recommended: soups (on milk or vegetable broth), boiled or baked dishes from low-fat varieties of meat, fish and poultry, similar types of cheese, cottage cheese or sour cream, cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, millet, barley), cabbage is very welcome in any Form, as well as zucchini, eggplant, pumpkin, potatoes or green peas.

Snacks and desserts

Salads are recommended with butter dressing: vinaigrettes, sea kale, seafood. And in its raw form it is better to eat salad, cucumbers, tomatoes and greens, various fruits, except those that in excess contain glucose. Of the drinks are most welcome compotes of dried fruits, as well as fresh juices. Of course, it's extremely difficult to switch so abruptly to a diet, but deviation from it and inaccuracies can sharply worsen the patient's health. Therefore, in order to allay the symptoms of high cholesterol in the blood and adhere to the therapeutic diet, there are several simple tricks.

Special techniques

First, you should remove from the eyes all those foods that are strictly prohibited in the diet. Better yet, if you stop buying them. The less they are in the refrigerator, the less risk they are to eat. Secondly, learn how to walk to the grocery store correctly. Always make a list at home and strictly follow it, and in the supermarket try to stay closer to the walls, since in the center usually there are all processed products: sausages, canned goods, fast food and so on. And when you buy something, first carefully read the composition and calorie content. Also, whenever you go to the store, be sure to buy those vegetables or fruits that you have not bought for a long time, and already at home use them fresh or cook healthy dishes. Try to switch from the usual animal fats to those found in sea fish, nuts and olive oil. They not only will not damage your diet, but, on the contrary, will lower the level of cholesterol in your blood due to its structure. In no case do not exclude meat from your diet. It is vital, just learn how to choose it correctly. Prefer a lean bird (chicken, turkey) and lean beef or rabbit. Often cook dishes from sea fish, bake it in the oven, steam it with vegetables, add to salads and snacks. Have a snack at work not with a sandwich with sausage, but with a fresh banana or a pair of apples, it will sate you better and charge up energy and vitamins until a full dinner. It is advisable to write down everything you ate during the day, as reducing excess weight is the first and most important step to keeping your body healthy!