Is Cholesterol Hereditary?

According to doctors at Mayo Clinic, cholesterol is hereditary. Let's explore this further by looking at the factors that increase your risk of high cholesterol.

Cholesterol Explained

• Cholesterol is a fat that is naturally produced in your body. It also comes from certain foods. Cholesterol helps build the outer coating of cells, creates the bile acids that help you digest food, and allows your body to create vitamins and hormones.

LDL Cholesterol

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is considered the "bad" type of cholesterol because it sticks to your arteries, which can clog them and lead to an increased risk of heart conditions. Eating foods high in saturated fat and trans fat, such as red meat, butter and fast food, can raise your LDL cholesterol level.

HDL Cholesterol

• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" type of cholesterol because it helps carry bad cholesterol away from your arteries. HDL cholesterol can actually lower your risk of heart disease.

Hereditary Factors

• According to researchers at Harvard Medical School, if you have a gene mutation that causes very high cholesterol levels, you are extremely likely to have high cholesterol as well. Also, researchers from the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts and the London School of Medicine have discovered a new chromosomal region that is strongly associated with LDL cholesterol, further verifying the hereditary link of cholesterol.

How to Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally

• Even though cholesterol is hereditary, there are certain steps you can take to decrease your cholesterol levels. Eating a diet high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and low in saturated fats and trans fats can help you lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. This means eating more fats like olive oil, nuts and fish and fewer fats like red meat, pork, butter, cream and processed foods. Also, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains.