Eat your way to good health

Aug 30 2009 by Hannah Charnley

IN the summer holiday months many of us lapse into a lazy routine of little exercise and unhealthy eating. But how much thought have we given to our cholesterol? HANNAH CHARNLEY finds out about the risks of sky high cholesterol levels

SO, what exactly is cholesterol? In simple terms, it forms part of the outer membrane that surrounds each cell in our bodies.

It is used to insulate nerve fibres and make hormones which carry chemical signals around the body; it is vital for the normal functioning of the body.

However, too much cholesterol in the blood increases the risk of coronary heart disease, strokes and disease of the arteries. But what causes high cholesterol?

An increase in cholesterol is usually caused by a diet high in fatty foods but there are other complicating factors.

Dr Iftikhar Haq, consultant cardiologist at Newcastle Freeman Hospital, explains, "High cholesterol has a lot to do with your genes.

"A lot is inherited and a lot is to do with what your liver makes.

"Your body produces about 80% of it and the remaining 20% comes from your diet.

"If you alter your diet to make it low fat, it will lower your cholesterol, but only to a certain extent."

High cholesterol can occur due to conditions such as obesity, underactive thyroid glands and rare kidney and liver disorders.

In some people, a very high level runs in the family due to an inherited genetic problem with the way in which cholesterol is made.

For example, one in 500 people has high cholesterol because of an inherited problem called familial hyperlipidaemia.

The good news is that there is medication available on the NHS for these people.

Dr Haq says: "If you have heart problems or problems with circulation, you need to be on a statin, as this lowers cholesterol and cuts the risk of heart attacks and strokes."

The effects of high cholesterol can be catastrophic: "The main illness is coronary heart disease and is by far the major concern," says Dr. Haq. "High cholesterol can cause problems in all the arteries of the body, not just the heart, causing a risk of having circulatory problems.