Cholesterol is a common substance that many people have heard of, but they have not necessarily heard the entire truth about it. You may believe that it would be better for your body not to have any cholesterol because the good things that cholesterol does for the body do not receive as much attention. The fact is that cholesterol exists naturally in the body and is necessary for many bodily functions. It does have negative consequences if the levels are too high, but this does not tell the whole story. We will examine the most common myths about cholesterol below:
Myth #1: There Are Always Symptoms if Cholesterol Levels Are Elevated.
Cholesterol is a “waxy substance” found in the bloodstream. Although it has a bad reputation, the body needs it to build healthy cells. Elevated cholesterol levels are only a problem because they increase the risk of heart disease. If your cholesterol levels are elevated, you will not experience any symptoms. You will need to see your doctor and have a blood test to determine whether your cholesterol is high or normal.
Myth #2: High Cholesterol Is Dangerous Only for Men.
High cholesterol has the same effect on men and women, so when a woman has high cholesterol levels, she is also at an increased risk of developing heart disease. This myth may have gotten started because the medical community discovered that a man’s risk of high cholesterol is greater than a woman’s between the ages of 20 and 39. The truth is that a woman’s cholesterol levels tend to go up after menopause. This is because, during and after menopause, female hormones that protect women against high cholesterol dissipate.
Myth #3: Any Cholesterol Type Is Bad.
This is not necessarily true. Some cholesterol is very useful in the body, and we described one of those above. Along with creating healthy cells, it also produces hormones, such as testosterone, estrogen and vitamin D. The body also has two types of cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, is known as the “bad cholesterol,” and high-density lipoprotein or HDL, is known as the “good cholesterol.”
If LDL cholesterol were to build up inside your arteries, this is known as “plaque,” and it creates a very dangerous situation as it continues to increase. As time goes by, your blood vessels begin to constrict so that the blood cannot flow freely. When these narrow areas block the flow of blood, you can experience chest pain or even a heart attack. If you have high levels of HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, it sends cholesterol to your liver where the liver releases it from your body, so having high levels of HDL cholesterol is highly beneficial to you.
Medical conditions exist that decrease your testosterone levels, but these levels can also lower just due to natural aging. You can take the opportunity to look into testosterone injections for sale to combat this loss.
Myth #4: You Can’t Have High Cholesterol at a Normal Weight.
High cholesterol is more about your genetics than other factors. The body is the entity that creates the cholesterol that runs through it, and your body may produce a high volume of cholesterol based on your genetics. Therefore, you can be a size 2 and have high cholesterol levels, and you will not be able to diet your way out of this reality if it is related to your genes.
Myth #5: You Should Avoid Foods Containing Cholesterol.
You do not necessarily have to avoid foods that contain cholesterol, but the recommendation is that you keep these foods at a minimum. The cholesterol that you get from food is known as “dietary cholesterol,” and it comes from animal products, such as beef, dairy products and egg yolks.
Myth #6: You Need to Check Your Cholesterol Levels Only After Turning 40.
Waiting until the age of 40 to check your cholesterol levels is much too long. According to the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, children should have their first cholesterol screenings between the ages of nine and 11. Then, repeat these tests every five years. Between the ages of 45 and 65, men need to have their cholesterol checked every one to two years, and women need to have theirs checked at these times between the ages of 55 and 65. After the age of 65, both men and women need to have yearly tests.
If your test shows high cholesterol levels, your medical provider may recommend additional testing. You may have coronary artery disease right now, and this condition also requires that you test more frequently for high cholesterol levels. Your physician may have prescribed a cholesterol-lowering drug for you, or you have a higher risk of coronary artery disease. If any of these conditions are true for you, you may need additional screenings if the following also applies to you:
- You are a smoker.
- Your diet is unhealthy.
- You have diabetes.
- You live a sedentary lifestyle.
- You are overweight.
- You have a history of heart attacks or high cholesterol in your family.
If you believe that your testosterone levels are low because of the natural aging process or some other reason, make an appointment with Nexel Medical today. In most cases, the reason that your testosterone levels are low is because of the natural aging process, but we can determine the cause when you have an appointment with us. If TRT or testosterone replacement therapy is the right solution for you, we can prescribe it.
We can prescribe several different ways to increase the testosterone in your bloodstream, including topical gels and creams, nasal sprays, oral medications, skin patches and testosterone injections. Contact us so that we can find the best solution for you.
