Diabetes leads to an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood, and through lifestyle changes it is possible to control cholesterol levels and thus reduce the risk of heart disease, by following a low-carbohydrate diet and exercising regularly. This helps in reducing the level of cholesterol in the blood to a certain extent. Naturally, in this article, learn about the relationship between diabetes and high blood cholesterol and how high blood cholesterol can be managed and recovered from diabetes.
The relationship between diabetes and high cholesterol
Having diabetes may lead to an imbalance between levels of HDL, or what is known as good cholesterol , and LDL, or what is known as bad cholesterol , as LDL particles stick to the arteries of people with diabetes. and cause damage to the walls of blood vessels.
Glucose binds to lipoproteins, which are molecules that carry cholesterol and triglycerides into cells. LDL coated with sugar remains in the bloodstream longer and this causes the formation of plaques that may cause narrowing or blockage of the arteries. In addition, levels of good HDL cholesterol are lower in people with diabetes. Of the second type, while triglyceride levels are high, both of these factors lead to an increased risk of heart and arterial diseases.
There are many diabetics who suffer from what is known as diabetic dyslipidemia , which is a condition of lipid disturbance in the body resulting from diabetes, and in this case they are:
- Low levels of good cholesterol.
- Bad cholesterol levels are high.
- High triglyceride levels.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance made by the body and found in some foods. It represents a group of fats or lipoproteins present in the blood, which include:
- Good HDL cholesterol.
- Bad LDL cholesterol.
Bad LDL cholesterol
Called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or bad cholesterol, a high level of LDL is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and a diet rich in saturated and trans fats raises the level of harmful cholesterol .
Good HDL cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol is called HDL, or good cholesterol . High HDL cholesterol leads to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, while low HDL cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease. People with high triglycerides usually have A decrease in the level of good cholesterol in the blood .
Triglyceride
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. Normal triglyceride levels vary by age and gender. High triglyceride levels are associated with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol, which increases the risk of atherosclerosis, the accumulation of fatty deposits in the walls of the arteries, which increases the risk of heart attacks, peripheral arterial disease, and stroke.
Blood cholesterol index
A diabetic patient can improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease and arterial disease by lowering blood cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes. Diabetics should have their blood lipids checked periodically. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) suggests normal cholesterol levels:
- Total cholesterol: 125-200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
- Non-HDL cholesterol: less than 130 mg/dL
- Bad cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
- Total HDL cholesterol: A healthy level varies by gender:
- For males, it is 40 mg/dL or more.
- The rate for females is: 50 mg/dL or higher.
Controlling cholesterol levels in diabetics
A diet high in saturated and trans fats raises LDL cholesterol , which means an increased risk of heart disease. The good news is that it is possible to reduce the risk of heart disease and premature death in people with diabetes by taking steps to manage cholesterol.
By following a healthy diet and exercising, the harmful effects of high blood cholesterol levels in diabetics can be reduced.
Foods to eat
Diet plays a key role in helping control cholesterol , according to a study in which researchers provided diabetic patients with a diet that reduced saturated fat and included healthy foods, such as nuts. The study participants decreased their levels of harmful cholesterol by 22-33% within one month. .
Cholesterol can be reduced by controlling the diet, by eating foods rich in fiber, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. These are some of the foods that contribute to controlling the level of cholesterol in the blood:
- Avocado.
- salmon.
- olive oil.
- Nuts.
- Yogurt.
- Barley or whole oats
- Flax seeds
- soybean
- sauerkraut
- Mulberry
Foods to avoid
A person with diabetes who is trying to control cholesterol should avoid certain types of food, such as sweetened foods, foods high in salt, and foods containing saturated fat. In general, one should not eat more than 200 mg of cholesterol per day. Diet.
Playing sports
Exercise plays a vital role in maintaining human health.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes exercise most days of the week. This could include brisk walking for 30 minutes, 5 days a week.
You should also practice some physical activity on a daily basis, such as climbing the stairs instead of the elevator, as exercise is an appropriate way to reduce harmful LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol, which contributes to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
References
https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/diseases-linked-high-cholesterol
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cholesterol-and-diabetes
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