Lipid refers to a type of cholesterol or fat that exists in our blood. The lipid components within the plasma include cholesterol, Triglyceride (TG), phospholipids (a class of lipids, and major component of all biological membranes, along with glycolipids, cholesterol and proteins), and non-free fatty acids. These lipids or their derivatives may be covalently or non-covalently bound to the proteins, and thus they are existed in the form of lipoprotein (a biochemical assembly that contains both proteins and lipids).
Most of the cholesterol is manufactured by our body and only a small portion of cholesterol is obtained through the food we eat. Our liver alone makes most of our cholesterol that will be used for making new cells. In contrary, TG is mostly obtained from our daily diet and only a small portion is manufactured by our body.
What is high lipid?
High lipid generally, refers to the level of total cholesterol (TC) or TG is too high while High Density Lipoprotein or good cholesterol (HDL-C) is too low. In modern medical terminology, this is called Dyslipidemia (blood abnormality or a disruption in the amount of lipids in the blood).
What are the risks of high lipids?
Lipid is an important component in our body as it plays a vital role in many body's functions. However, if its level exceeds the standard level, it may be risky for us. Too much lipids can cause our blood becomes too viscous or thick which may start build up in our arteries' walls. The build up of lipids narrow our arteries and make them harder for blood to pass through. These patches of lipids gradually become larger and larger when time passes, and they can clog our blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. This is known as atherosclerosis or the hardening of the arteries. It is a slow process and normally becomes worse when people getting old.
When the atherosclerosis happens in our heart, we will get coronary heart disease; in our brain, we will get a stroke; in our eyes, we will get vascular fundus which leads to vision loss or blindness; in our kidneys, we will get a hardening of the kidneys, and renal failure (the kidneys fail to function adequately); and in our lower limbs, we will get physical necrosis (natural death of body tissues) or ulceration.
Apart from that, high lipids may lead to other serious problems, including heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, gall bladder, pancreatitis (an inflammation of the pancreas); may worsen the hepatitis and cause male sexual dysfunction and senile dementia (a syndrome of irreversible impairment of damaged or disease in the brain). The latest research showed that high lipids may have increased the outbreak of cancers.
Atherosclerosis
Heart attack
Stroke
Who may be at high risk of high lipids?
- People who are obese
- Middle-age people
- Postmenopausal (time after which a woman has experienced 12 consecutive months of amenorrhea or lack of menstruation) women
- Long-term heavy smokers
- Alcoholics
- Diabetes patients
- High blood pressure (hypertension) patients
- People who suffer liver or kidney diseases
- People with abnormal living lifestyle
- People with bad moody or hot temper
- People who prefer to sleep and sit longer and seldom go out for exercises
- People who are depressed
- People who have a close family member (a parent, brother or sister) with a record of high lipids
Are your lipids high?
- Total Cholesterol (TC)
- Less than 5.20 mmol/L(200mg/dl)Normal
-
More than 5.72mmol/L(200mg/dl)Abnormal
- Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C)
- Less than 3.12mmol/L(120mg/dl)Normal
- More than 3.64mmol/L(140mg/dl)Abnormal
- High Density Lipoprotein (HDL-C)
- More than 1.04mmol/L(40mg/dl)Normal
-
Less than 0.91mmol/L(35mg/dl)Abnormal
- Triglyceride (TG)
- Less than 1.70mmol/L(150mg/dl)Normal
-
More than 1.70mmol/L(150mg/dl)Abnormal
No symptoms, no lipids?
As the occurrences of lipids involve a relatively slow process, you will not have any uncomfortable feelings or pain. This situation always happens in mild high lipid in the blood. However, in chronic high lipid level, sufferer may have dizziness, chest pain, headache, short breath, nervous, stress, sudden sweating, body numbness and even unable to speak. If left ignored, it will finally lead to coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic diseases and other corresponding symptoms.
Six essential ways to adjust the concentration of lipid in your blood
Adjusting your diet
The principle in adjusting your daily diet: limit the intake of foods rich in fats, fatty acids, and cholesterol. Having diet low in fats such as vegetable fats instead of animal fats. Eat plenty of foods high in fibers, enzymes and vitamins such as fruits, green leafy vegetables and grains.
- Daily meal for old people: one banana, one yogurt, 500 gram of organic fruits and vegetables (it is better to have a variety and a combination of five colored fruits and vegetables. The colors include red, yellow, green, white, and purple), 50 gram of soy made foodstuffs such as tofu, dried bean curb (soak in water before cooking), cooked red beans, baked soy beans, red bean or black bean paste; 500 gram of mixed cereals, grains, oats and rhizomes. Drink a bowl of green pea soup everyday.
- Foods that help to reduce lipids: garlic (eat 1 to 2 pieces before meal in the early morning. You may also substitute it by drinking a glass of garlic vinegar). Other foods include fresh ginger, eggplant, black fungus, persimmon, Chinese hawthorns and etc.
- Food therapy for high lipid sufferers:
