Speaking on radio DZMM Tuesday, Dr. Kurt Glen Jacoba of the Philippine Heart Center said there is a form of cholesterol that may be good for the body.
Low density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol, can clog arteries and blood vessels.
Meanwhile, high density lipoprotein (HDL) can eliminate the bad cholesterol from the system.
“Pag titingnan mo yung molecules ng dalawa, ang difference lang is that yung bad cholesterol, yung LDL, meron siyang konting protein, pero maraming cholesterol. Yung good cholesterol, mas madaming protein, less yung cholesterol,” he explained.
Jacoba said the clogging of arteries and other blood vessels may lead to cardiovascular diseases and heart problems.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines.
The cardiologist explained that the best way to know your cholesterol level is to give a blood sample to a laboratory after adequate fasting.
A doctor, however, may see telltale signs of high cholesterol levels by looking at a person’s eyes using an instrument.
Whitish accumulations on the eye may indicate high cholesterol.
If your fingertips take some time to return to their normal color after you pinch them, this may also mean that some of your capillaries are clogged because of cholesterol.
Jacoba said HDL cholesterol may be obtained from the omega fatty acids in fish.
Exercise may also help reduce the amount of cholesterol in the body.
Those prone to cholesterol problems are also advised to avoid fatty foods.
When frying dishes, it may be better to use corn oil or olive oil.
Or, if it is possible, don’t fry the dishes. Steaming and other ways of cooking food are better for your health, he said. “Madami naming luto ang Pilipino na masarap eh,” he added.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
