High cholesterol levels in the blood can happen in anyone, be it in obese or thin persons.
It is a myth if you think that thin people do not face cholesterol-related issues, as this can affect anyone.
Cholesterol is not related to the age, sex, or weight of a person.
It generally increases with age, although cholesterol-related problems can happen at any age.Dr.
Farah Ingale, Director-Internal Medicine, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi says, There are different types of fats in the body.Cholesterol is afat that is present in the blood.
It is a waxy substance, found in blood and body cells.
Similarly, triglycerides are fat (lipids) found in the blood.
When you eat any food item, the body converts any calories it doesn't use into triglycerides, which are then stored in fat cells.Risk of high cholesterol Various components like LDL (Low-Density Lipoproteins), a bad fat, are also called bad cholesterol as they increase the risk of stroke and cardiac arrests.
On the other hand, High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is the good cholesterol that absorbs cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver.
Ideally speaking, cholesterol should not be more than 150.Ideally in older people with comorbidities, LDL level should be less than 70, both in males and females.
HDL in females should be more than 50, and in males more than 40.
Alternatively, it is better to have a high level of good cholesterol and a low level of bad cholesterol.
To ensure that cholesterol levels are in the healthy range, having a good lifestyle with proper exercise, diet, and healthy weight is best.
Are slim people safe from high cholesterol?According to Dr.
Ingale, If an obese person has cholesterol, they can easily control it by losing weight, which might not be possible for thin people.
Every person must have good lifestyle habits like proper daily exercise, a low-fat diet focusing on salads, fruits - vegetables, reduced fried food, butter, and fatty food.
Additionally, if you are a non-vegetarian, avoiding red meat and processed items from outside is best.Finally, cholesterol has a genetic component, especially if LDL levels exceed 160.
So thin people who exercise daily and do not consume fried fatty food may still have high cholesterol.
In conclusion, if you have high cholesterol, you should stay active and exercise every day as this lifestyle can help reduce bad cholesterol and improve good cholesterol.
In spite of these measures, if you are not able to control your cholesterol level, you need to take medication as per your doctor's suggestions.