Causes of High LDL Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a lipid (a fatty substance) that is needed to make hormones and cell membranes in your body. It is transported by lipoproteins in the blood. While HDL (High-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is considered beneficial for your body (it protects your heart), LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is considered bad because it can lead to the narrowing of your arteries through plaque formation and is therefore a risk factor for coronary heart disease. LDL-cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL are considered optimal by the American Heart Association. At the same time HDL-cholesterol levels higher than 60 mg/dL may protect your heart.

Diet

• Heavy intake of edibles containing saturated fatty acids, such as butter, cream, cheese, and meat (beef and pork), may lead to increased bad cholesterol in many individuals. Similarly, eatables containing cholesterol, particularly organ meats and egg yolk, can increase LDL-cholesterol. While the intake of trans fats, which are made by hydrogenating vegetable oils, can also cause high cholesterol, intake of foods with soluble fiber can reduce your cholesterol levels.

Smoking

• Smoking can increase the levels of triglycerides (another fat) and LDL-cholesterol in your plasma while lowering your HDL-cholesterol levels. Even environmental tobacco smoke may increase the accumulation of LDL in the artery wall, which can trigger plaque formation.

Lack of Exercise

• Because obesity and high LDL-cholesterol levels are linked in many individuals, weight gain due to lack of exercise may increase the risk of high cholesterol. Reducing your weight (if you are overweight) may reduce the levels of both LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides and may increase the levels of HDL-cholesterol in your blood.

Genetics

• High cholesterol cannot always be controlled by proper diet and exercise. Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disease that obstructs the molecular mechanism through which LDL-cholesterol is removed from the circulation. As a consequence, high levels of LDL-cholesterol build up in the system, and yellowish deposits may be observed under the skin. It may also cause premature heart disease.

Disease

• Kidney disease can lead to elevation of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Similarly, diabetes, when uncontrolled, can decrease good cholesterol while changing the size and density of LDL-cholesterol particles to make them more harmful.