According to a public health study France, one in 5 French people has cholesterol problems. Or 20 % of the population. If you are trying to find out how to reduce your rate, you are not alone. But between those who think that food cholesterol is the main cause. And the others who think that only genetics is involved, disinformation on cholesterol is omnipresent. Here’s what to take stock.
Myth 1: Avoid food cholesterol
For many years, experts thought it was necessary to remove eggs and other foods containing cholesterol after receiving a diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia. However, the latest research shows that food cholesterol has a relatively low effect on blood cholesterol levels. While saturated fats and trans fats have a much greater influence on the increase in LDL levels (also called “bad” cholesterol).
“In fact, food cholesterol has little impact on global cholesterol levels, and some recent studies even highlight that regular egg consumption increases the HDL (good cholesterol)” rate “ Restores Alexandra Murcier. In case of hypercholesterolemia, it is above all necessary to limit the consumption of saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids (cold cuts, red meat, but also pastries, pastries, etc.).
Myth n ° 2: Better food is enough to correct an excess cholesterol
Although food changes are recommended to improve abnormal cholesterol levels, they are not always sufficient to have a significant impact. Indeed, blood cholesterol can be influenced by several other factors, such as sleep, stress, exercise and genetics. “Food alone is not always enough to normalize cholesterol levels, because a part is genetic and our liver also manufactures part of cholesterol“Answers our nutritionist.”In any case, you have to work on a global ‘lifestyle, losing weight when overweight is facilitating for example the fact of normalizing your cholesterol levels. “
Myth n ° 3: you must delete all fats
Another received idea. You may have heard that you have to eliminate all the fats from your diet in the event of hypercholesterolemia, but it is simply false. “”Obviously, we should not eliminate all the fats of our diet, they are (including cholesterol) essential to the proper functioning of our body (especially for our hormonal system and the functioning of our brain). On the other hand, it is necessary to increase its consumption of mono fatty acids and unsaturated poly and limit its consumption of saturated fatty acids. ” specifies the expert
Instead of completely eliminating fat from your diet, try to increase your consumption of unsaturated fats – adding more nuts, seeds, avocado and fatty fish – and reduce your consumption of saturated fats.
Myth n ° 4: we can know if we have too much cholesterol thanks to the symptoms
And not. Most people with hypercholesterolemia have no symptoms; It is therefore difficult to know if you suffer without performing tests. Some people with extremely high cholesterol level may have physical signs, generally fatty deposits and xanthelasmas (yellow deposits around the eyelids). However, in more moderate cases, symptoms can be rare. “”Only a blood test can determine if you have too much cholesterol “recalls our expert. “In families where there are several cases of hypercholesterolemia, you must be particularly vigilant.” This is why it is important to regularly consult your doctor.
Myth n ° 5: Only overweight people are affected
You might think that only strong people can have a high cholesterol level. That’s wrong. “Some thin people may have a high cholesterol level. This can come from a genetic predisposition or from an unbalanced diet”, underlines Alexandra Murcier. “Once again, only a blood report allows you to detect it”.
In fact, it is important to regularly control your cholesterol levels, regardless of its corpulence. This means every five years for healthy adults over 20 years old, or once a year if you are diabetic or have family history of heart disease. Monitoring your laboratory analyzes allows you to quickly detect any problem in order to be able to deal with it and make the necessary changes.
Myth n ° 6: cholesterol is a problem that only arrives with age
Finally, the most widespread false idea is undoubtedly the one that you are not affected by cholesterol as long as you are young. “Hypercholesterolemia can develop at any age and often starts young, especially in people with family history of heart disease” explains our expert. It is important to take good eating habits from an early age, to preserve your arteries, limit the risk of a cardiovascular accident and age better.