95 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol. If your cholesterol levels are high, you’re at greater risk of developing heart disease. Gurprit Sekhon, MD, is the internal medicine physician at Nu Wave Medical Center in Panama City Beach, Florida, and has more than 25 years of experience helping patients improve their cholesterol levels and lowering their risk of heart disease. Call today, or use the online booking button to schedule an appointment.
Cholesterol, the waxy fat your body produces in the liver, is used to make hormones and vitamin D and substances that help you digest food. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs to perform these essential functions.
However, certain foods, namely foods high in saturated and trans fat, increase your body’s production of cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. Additionally, some people are genetically prone to produce more cholesterol, even if they eat a healthy diet.
There are three different types of cholesterol, and not all types are bad.
LDL cholesterol is known as the bad cholesterol because high levels can lead to the buildup of plaque along your artery walls, causing them to narrow and harden.
HDL, the good cholesterol, carries excess cholesterol from your body back to your liver for processing and elimination.
VLDL is also considered bad cholesterol because it too contributes to the buildup of plaque on your artery walls. However, in addition to carrying cholesterol, VLDL also carries triglycerides, which is another type of fat.
To measure your cholesterol levels, Dr. Sekhon orders a lipid profile, which includes a number of different measurements.
For good health you want
If any of your blood lipid levels are out of range, Dr. Sekhon and her team at Nu Wave Medical Center work with you to develop a treatment plan to improve your numbers and your health.
Dr. Sekhon recommends lifestyle changes to help improve your cholesterol numbers, which includes a healthy diet and exercise program. Eating a diet filled with high-fiber foods, such as oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, and beans, may help reduce your LDL levels, while exercise may increase HDL levels.
If you’re carrying excess weight, losing unwanted pounds may also improve your cholesterol. To help you get to a healthier weight, Nu Wave Medical Center offers a medical weight loss program.
If you’re unable to improve your cholesterol with diet and exercise, Dr. Sekhon may recommend cholesterol-lowering medication.
If you’re struggling to improve your cholesterol or have concerns about your numbers, the healthcare team at Nu Wave Medical Center can help. Call today, or use the online booking button to schedule an appointment.
