High-Cholesterol Impacts On Your Kidneys

Cholesterol is a fatty molecule that is one of various forms of fat in the body. It serves various critical roles and circulates in the blood. If blood vessels are injured, cholesterol can be accumulated, eventually causing blood vessel constriction. This is more likely if your blood cholesterol level is high.

Understanding Cholesterol:

There are two forms of cholesterol: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein) (High-density lipoprotein). LDL is considered bad cholesterol, whereas HDL is considered healthy.

The culprit here is LDL.

LDL (bad cholesterol) has less protein and so weighs less. When LDL becomes oxidized, it causes inflammation and forces lipids to cover the walls of vessels in the heart and throughout the body, forming plagues that can thicken and limit or block blood and nutrients to affected tissues or organs, leaving no room for recovery; this is where cholesterol is linked to heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease.

The link between Cholesterol and kidney disease according to clinical trials

The Physicians' Health Study provided some of the earliest evidence associating high cholesterol to Kidney damage. Over the course of ten years, researchers monitored around 4,500 healthy males and took blood samples from them.

Using a creatinine test, the researchers assessed the men's kidney function. This test determines how successfully your kidneys remove waste from your blood. They also examined cholesterol levels.

The researchers discovered that high total cholesterol and high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, were more prevalent in individuals whose kidneys weren't functioning as well when they examined renal function and cholesterol combined.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good" cholesterol, levels were also lower in men with impaired kidney function. Because it helps prevent cholesterol from accumulating inside blood arteries, HDL cholesterol is beneficial.

What causes high cholesterol levels?

There are several variables that affect cholesterol levels. Other family members may also have high cholesterol levels if one person has them. Some kidney conditions, such as nephrotic syndrome  and after transplantation, are linked to high cholesterol, possibly as a result of the medications taken. Kidney conditions that cause protein leakage in the urine are also linked to high cholesterol.

Exercise and diet also have a significant impact on cholesterol levels. Heavy cholesterol levels may result from a diet high in fat and cholesterol. A person with severe illness and malnutrition could have a strangely low cholesterol level.

Managing Kidney Disease and High Cholesterol:

The risk of heart attack and stroke can be decreased with the use of cholesterol-lowering medications. But if you have kidney disease, are they safe to take?

According to studies, if you have early kidney disease, it's frequently a good idea to take medications to decrease your cholesterol. For this, physicians most frequently give statin medications. According to studies, the medication decreases cholesterol and lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke.

If a statin is not tolerated, there are a number of different medication kinds that can be used instead of it or combined to it. These have an impact on either how well cholesterol is absorbed from diet or how the body processes it.

To maintain a target blood level of cholesterol, all medications used to treat cholesterol must be monitored using blood tests, and the dosages may need to be raised over time. The use of medications cannot take the place of a low-fat diet, exercise, or quitting smoking. It is crucial to continue taking action against blood vessel disease on all fronts.

If you undergo dialysis or have undergone a kidney transplant, statins could also not be advised. Whether cholesterol-lowering medication can prevent the progression of your kidney disease is likewise less certain.

Suggestions for reducing unhealthy fat in your diet and lower your cholesterol levels:

Diet:

Dietary changes can have a massive impact on blood cholesterol levels. The goal of the diet is to limit hazardous fat intake while maintaining a balanced diet with adequate protein, carbs, and fresh fruits and vegetables. The optimal diet differs from person to person, and if a few simple dietary modifications do not lower excessive cholesterol levels, it is generally good to consult with a renal dietitian.

• Limit your intake of red and processed meat.
• Instead of whole-milk products, choose skim, low-fat, or fat-free dairy.
• Fried meals should be avoided.
• Use healthy oils like vegetable oil for cooking.
• Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, chicken, fish, and nuts.
• Avoid meals and beverages that are high in salt or sugar.
• Make sure you're eating enough calcium and phosphate.

Recommended article based on healthy fats and oil options.

Lifestyle:

• Exercise regularly.
• Stop smoking.
• Get rid of extra weight.
• Stop snacking any chance you get.
• Don't sleep right after eating.
• Don't sit for long periods of time.
• Don't over lift heavy weights

If you have high cholesterol or suspect you have kidney disease, talk to your doctor about actions you may take to reduce your risk.