Many people struggle with high cholesterol levels due to an unhealthy lifestyle and too little exercise in everyday life. However, inherited predispositions can also play an important role. The body needs cholesterol, which is similar to fat, to build cell walls and produce bile acid, and the important vitamin D is needed for normal bones. The body itself forms one to two grams of the vitamin, the important rest is achieved with enough cholesterol. Animal fats help absorb vitamin D from food. Type 2 diabetics often experience high blood pressure and lipid metabolism disorders. LDL cholesterol, which damages the blood vessels, is usually too high and HDL cholesterol, which protects the blood vessels, is too low. But what do LDL and HDL mean for the body? LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein and HDL for high-density lipoprotein. In addition, the lipoprotein promotes blood lipids. Too much harmful LDL has a negative effect on the body and the vessels can calcify as a result. HDL, on the other hand, protects the blood vessels by taking the cholesterol out of the tissues and transporting it back to the liver.

Sick from too much cholesterol

Diabetes - if not treated properly, this condition damages the body's vascular walls by causing high blood sugar levels. The natural elasticity decreases and injuries to the vessels can occur quickly as a result and these areas are then much more susceptible to calcification of the arteries. That "too much" of the bad LDL cholesterol migrates from the liver into the vessels, where it is deposited as plaque on the injured arteries, which can then quickly lead to arteriosclerosis. This plaque builds up cushions over time, vessels are constricted, blood clots collect and the arteries can block. The result: a heart attack or stroke, for example. The good HDL cholesterol carries excess cholesterol back to the liver, thereby preventing calcification. Therefore, having higher levels of HDL cholesterol in the body is not harmful because it is beneficial to the body. Type 2 diabetics in particular are at higher risk of arteriosclerosis. It is therefore important that you keep a close eye on your cholesterol levels . The reason: the HDL cholesterol in the body is broken down too quickly and more free oxygen radicals are released. Diabetes sufferers should therefore make sure that the LDL value is always below 100 mg and the HDL value above 35 mg. If vascular disease is present, then HDL cholesterol should be higher. Note: This article does not replace a medical consultation!

• Cholesterin
• Cholesterinspiegel
• Diabetes
• LDL
• Lipo Protein
• Vitamin D