What should I do if my total cholesterol is high

There are many types of cholesterol, which is a type of lipid. Total cholesterol is the sum of all cholesterol. High total cholesterol is also common in clinical practice. What to do about high total cholesterol can be adjusted through diet, but good living habits are also important.

1. Eat a light diet, including low fat, low sugar and low salt. Low-fat diet includes two points. First, do not eat fatty meat and animal skin; second, do not eat high-cholesterol foods, such as animal offal and scaleless fish, including crab roe, shrimp brain, eel, squid, etc. Low sugar includes controlling rice and high-sugar foods, because excessive carbohydrate intake exceeds the body's consumption, and the excess will be converted into triglycerides through a series of biochemical reactions. Since consumption is less after dinner, it is more necessary to control the staple food. Low salt means strictly controlling tangible and intangible salt intake. The human body's physiological need for salt is about 5 grams a day, but the average intake of Chinese people far exceeds the standard. In addition to eating light dishes, patients with hyperlipidemia should also avoid high-salt foods such as pickled cucumbers, preserved eggs, and cured meats. Generally, a full cap of a small-sized Chinese toothpaste contains 1 gram, and patients can control this by themselves.

2. Quit drinking. The main thing is to quit drinking liquor, which will disrupt fat metabolism in the body. Other foods such as wine and rice wine can activate blood vessels when consumed in moderation, but remember not to drink too much, as excessive drinking will increase blood lipids.

3. It is advisable to use steaming, boiling, stewing, blanching, simmering and stewing methods, and avoid frying, deep-frying, roasting and smoking methods.

4. Cholesterol is an important substance that is indispensable to human tissue cells. It not only participates in the formation of cell membranes, but is also the raw material for bile acid and vitamin D. Treatment for high total cholesterol should be carried out through both diet and medication.