High cholesterol: Nutritionist reveals top prevention tips
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High cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. A build-up of cholesterol can clog up your arteries, thereby hiking your risk of having a heart attack. Unfortunately, there are few signs, if any, that can alert you to this serious mechanism.
However, if your cholesterol levels are extremely high, xanthomas may bubble up to the surface.
Xanthomas are deposits of cholesterol that appear on specific regions of the body.
According to an article published in the StatPearls, an online database of academic research, xanthomas are often an “important sign” of systemic disease.
The article states that “tendinous xanthomas” – cholesterol deposits in tendons – commonly affects the extensor tendons of the hand.
According to the British Society for Surgery of the Hand, the extensor tendons are strong smooth cords that straighten the fingers by connecting the muscles of the forearm and hand to the bones in the fingers and thumb.
Xanthomas – specific characteristics
According to the Winchester Hospital, Xanthomas range from very small to up to three inches in size.
“Xanthomas can be cosmetically disfiguring. Xanthomas may appear anywhere on the body. The most common places are the elbows, joints, tendons, knees, hands, feet, and buttocks.”
According to the health body, if the fatty lumps are on the eyelids, it’s called xanthelasma.
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In most cases, however, high cholesterol will not produce perceptible warning signs.
You can only find out if you have it from a blood test.
“Your GP might suggest having a test if they think your cholesterol level could be high,” explains the NHS.
“This may be because of your age, weight or another condition you have (like high blood pressure or diabetes).”
According to the health body, there are two ways of having a cholesterol test:
- Taking blood from your arm
- Finger-prick test
What happens next
Following a formal diagnosis of high cholesterol, you’ll usually be required to make lifestyle changes to lower a high reading.
To reduce your cholesterol, try to cut down on fatty food, especially food that contains a type of fat called saturated fat.
Saturated fat is the kind of fat found in butter, lard, ghee, fatty meats and cheese.
According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), eating a diet high in saturated fat is associated with raised levels of non-HDL (bad) cholesterol.
Non-HDL cholesterol, also known as LDL cholesterol, can clog up your arteries, thereby raising your risk of heart disease.
According to the NHS, eating plenty of fibre helps lower your risk of heart disease, and some high-fibre foods can help lower your cholesterol.
“Adults should aim for at least 30g of fibre a day,” says the health body.
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