Thanks to various promotions of he althy eating, it is a well-known fact that cholesterol is the main threatening factor for the development of such a formidable disease as atherosclerosis. However, how much truth is in this phrase from a medical point of view? Let's try to figure it out.
Introduction
So, atherosclerosis is a serious disease of the cardiovascular system, affecting almost 100% of the population by 50 (in men)-60 (in women) years. It develops gradually and is dangerous for human life, not so much by its presence, but by the complications that form against its background. And the high content of cholesterol in the blood, which is found in all patients with this disease, is not its cause at all. The fact is that all pathological changes in the vessels cannot fundamentally develop if they are initially he althy. And if a person has been diagnosed with arterial hypertension or diabetes mellitus for a long time, if the patient abuses smoking or alcohol, leads a sedentary lifestyle or is obese, then on the basis ofalready existing violations of the vascular wall will gradually begin to occur all the changes characteristic of atherosclerosis. And if initially cholesterol in the blood is elevated, then only all this together will cause the development of the disease.
Risk factors
In addition to those already mentioned, there are other risk factors for atherosclerosis. First of all, this is the gender and age category of patients. It has been scientifically proven that atherosclerosis more often affects men, especially those over the age of 50-55 years, in women - less often, over 60-65 years. This is explained by the different amount of production of estrogens, female sex hormones, which are present in both sexes, but prevailing at times, of course, in women. The action of these biologically active substances is manifested in the utilization of all excess lipids and cholesterol from the blood stream to the fat depot and liver with the help of special transporters - high-density lipoproteins. By the way, their formation is also increased under the influence of estrogens, which leads to a later development of the disease in women. However, after menopause, the amount of hormones begins to decrease, and then women will already be prone to atherosclerosis on an equal basis with men, especially if initially cholesterol in the blood is elevated. But this may already be due to nutritional deficiencies, that is, the use of fatty meat, fried, high-calorie foods.
Pathological morphology of atherosclerosis
So, what are the changes that occur in the blood vessels, which eventually show signs of high cholesterol in the blood? And the answer is notso complicated. The fact is that normally the wall of the arteries is smooth, shiny, easily extensible due to the muscle layer and elastic fibers, and under the influence of special factors, it can both expand and narrow.
And if it was initially damaged under the influence of the above atherogenic factors (smoking, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, old age), then it begins to be saturated with fats in the bloodstream. This is how the first stage develops - lipid stripes and spots.
Development stages
Then the condition worsens, here the total cholesterol in the blood is already elevated. The thing is that the number of those of its transporters is also increasing, which normally carry it into the wall of blood vessels - the so-called. low and very low density lipoproteins. And gradually, the arteries are more and more saturated with fat and cholesterol, until these spots begin to protrude above the surface of the wall, i.e. an atherosclerotic plaque is formed, which gradually increases in size, becomes covered with a fibrin cap and thereby stabilizes. However, if at this stage a person continues to harm his he alth, then this calm plaque begins to be damaged. It ulcerates, the lid can come off completely, and the same pathological changes occur in other parts of the vessel wall.
Outcome of disease
Cholesterol in the blood is increased many times, its transporters only manage to remove it into the tissues, and the liver cannot cope with its excess. Because of all these damages, the vessels losetheir extensibility, become more sensitive to vasoconstrictors (factors that narrow them), arterial hypertension increases, the main “pump” begins to suffer. Atherosclerosis also damages vessels of ever smaller caliber, the most important of which are coronary (the heart's own arteries) and brain. The plaques that block the blood flow and narrow the lumen of the arteries keep growing, and eventually there is a sharp ischemia of the organs. The most threatening conditions against this background are myocardial infarction and ischemic cerebral stroke.
General recommendations
At any stage of the development of atherosclerosis, the stabilization of the condition and the prevention of the development of the most dangerous complications primarily depend on the patient's consciousness. If initially there was no elevated cholesterol in the blood, if the patient did not aggravate his condition by the abuse of toxic substances, tobacco and alcohol, led a mobile lifestyle and brought his weight at least a little closer to normal, then the progression of this life-threatening disease would stop. Therefore, the doctor should first of all recommend to the patient to adjust his regimen and nutrition, to engage in physical culture if possible, to spend his weekends in nature, and not on the couch in front of the TV. Give up smoking and taking alcohol-containing drinks, eat more vegetables, fruits, natural juices, fish, lean meat, cook food mainly by steaming or boiling. Thus, it is necessary by all means to eliminate the causes of high cholesterol in the blood, and then deal with the treatment of the existing background disease. ATAs a last resort, special drugs are used to stabilize its concentration - statins.
The main reason is malnutrition
Now let's see why blood cholesterol is high. The main reason for this is, of course, poor human nutrition, which is why this substance, which is necessary for the synthesis of many hormones and the formation of a cell membrane, is not properly utilized and circulates in the blood as part of its transporters. And, most importantly, it is there in excess. So, there are foods that increase cholesterol in the blood. First of all, it is, of course, fatty meats - beef and pork. Moreover, it should be remembered that even in their fillet enough cholesterol is hidden. Further, this is poultry meat - geese, ducks, turkeys.
Other products
Thirdly, these are eggs, mayonnaise prepared on their basis and high-calorie dairy products - butter, sour cream (especially homemade), cheese, full-fat yogurt. However, it should be remembered here that cholesterol is concentrated in the yolk, but egg white is mandatory for humans, since it contains essential amino acids and is 100% absorbed, so you can only eat the white part of the egg or limit the amount to one or two pieces per week. And the top of the list of junk food, not only in terms of atherogenic effect, is semi-finished products, industrial baked goods and fast food. Other foods that increase blood cholesterol are processed meats. That is, sausages, sausages, boiled pork, ham and other types of smoked meats.
What to do?
Of course, the main question that worries patients if high cholesterol was found in their biochemical blood test: "What should I do?" First, transfer it (analysis) to your doctor so that he can conduct other laboratory and instrumental studies to make your diagnosis and prescribe corrective treatment. However, it is in your power to help him a lot in this. Namely, to reduce this most elevated cholesterol. What to do with your diet in order to achieve normalization of indicators, you will be prompted by a therapeutic diet (table) No. 10c. It is indicated for all patients with ischemic heart disease and hypertension due to atherosclerotic vascular disease.
Diet 10-C
Its goal is to prevent further development of the disease, namely: to reduce excess weight, provide all energy needs without overloading internal organs, improve metabolism and blood circulation of the heart and brain so that heart attack and stroke are excluded. Since the treatment of high cholesterol in the blood largely depends on nutrition! In it, first of all, the content of animal fats and those carbohydrates that are easily digested are sharply reduced. In addition, the amount of water and table s alt consumed, and, of course, cholesterol, is limited. And, on the contrary, the content of the most important trace elements for the heart (potassium, magnesium), vitamins (B and C), and dietary fiber is increased. Food predominantlyprepared by boiled and stewed methods. In addition, fractional frequent meals are recommended - 4-5 meals per day.
Main part
In detail, with this diet, products from muffin or puff pastry, any broths (except for vegetables, but not legumes), fatty meats and poultry, as well as canned food, sausages, smoked meats and brains, the same applies to s alted or smoked fish and caviar, high-fat dairy products (cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream). In addition, it is very important not to consume chocolate, ice cream and confectionery with cream, mustard and pepper, fish, meat and mushroom sauces, strong coffee, tea or cocoa. On the contrary, it is recommended: soups (in milk or vegetable broth), boiled or baked dishes from lean meats, fish and poultry, similar types of cheese, cottage cheese or sour cream, cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, millet, barley), cabbage is very welcome in any form, as well as zucchini, eggplant, pumpkin, potatoes or green peas.
Snacks and desserts
Salads are recommended with oil dressing: vinaigrettes, seaweed, seafood. And in its raw form, it is better to use lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and herbs, various fruits, except for those that contain glucose in excess. Of the drinks, dried fruit compotes, as well as fresh juices, are most welcome. Of course, it is extremely difficult to switch to a diet so abruptly, but deviation from it and errors can dramatically worsen the patient's he alth. Therefore, in order to still stopsymptoms of high cholesterol in the blood and stick to a he althy diet, there are several simple tricks.
Special Moves
Firstly, you should remove from your eyes all those foods that are strictly prohibited in the diet. Better yet, if you stop buying them. The fewer of them in the refrigerator, the less risk of eating them. Second, learn how to walk to the grocery store the right way. Always make a list at home and strictly follow it, and in the supermarket, try to stay closer to the walls, since all processed foods are usually located in the center: sausages, canned food, fast food, and so on. And when you buy something, first of all, carefully read the composition and calorie content. Also, every time you go to the store, be sure to buy those vegetables or fruits that you have not bought for a long time, and eat them fresh at home or cook he althy dishes from them. Try to switch from the usual animal fats to those found in sea fish, nuts and olive oil. Not only will they not harm your diet, but on the contrary, they will lower your blood cholesterol levels due to their structure. Never exclude meat from your diet. It is vital, just learn how to choose it correctly. Choose lean poultry (chicken, turkey) and lean beef or rabbit. Cook dishes from sea fish more often, bake it in the oven, steam it with vegetables, add it to salads and snacks. Snack at work not with a sausage sandwich, but with a fresh banana or a couple of apples, this will better saturate you and charge you with energy and vitamins to a fulllunch. It is advisable to write down everything that you eat during the day in a special notebook, since losing excess weight is the first and most important step in keeping your body he althy!
