Dangers of a High Cholesterol Diet

While it is common knowledge that we should cut back on refined foods that are high in fats and sugars, it isn’t readily apparent that those types of foods are extremely high in LDL cholesterol that is the number one cause of cardiovascular disease. The only other risk factor that even comes close to a high cholesterol diet is smoking and we all know just how dangerous that can be!

There are a great number of health risks involved in eating a diet that is high in cholesterol but the main factors that should concern us are weight and cardiovascular issues. First of all, being obese puts enough strain on the heart as it is. It needs to go into overdrive just to move the body from point A to point B, not to mention the fact that now the heart is trying to pump a greater amount blood through veins that are so clogged with plaque that built up as a result of excessive cholesterol over a long period of time. And that leads to the primary danger involved in a high cholesterol diet.

Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the intima, the innermost lining of the vein or artery.

Excessive LDL cholesterol builds up in the bloodstream over time and collects along the linings of blood vessels. This causes those vessels to thicken which significantly reduces blood flow. In turn, this can lead to heart attacks or strokes, both of which are deadly. While there are medications that can help to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream, the most effective way to prevent high levels is to eat a sensible diet that is low in LDL cholesterol.