High cholesterol is a common complaint in our society. Cholesterol and triglycerides are the two main forms of fats found in the blood. Cholesterol is produced naturally in your liver as every organ in your body requires cholesterol to function. Fats are formed when your body retains excess calories that it does not require for energy. Cholesterol, like fats, can be found in fatty foods like eggs, red meat, and cheese. Fats in the blood are also increased if you have a high intake of refined sugar, fructose and alcohol.

Many people with high cholesterol usually don’t have any symptoms. High cholesterol can run in the family. After a few years, those with hereditary high cholesterol may develop signs and symptoms, such as:

• Fatty growths around the eyes or joints that are yellow in colour.
• Chest discomfort (at a young age).
• Heart attack (at a young age).
• Walking causes cramps in the calves.
• Toe sores that aren’t healing correctly.
• Symptoms of a stroke include difficulty speaking, drooping on one side of the face, and weak limbs.

High cholesterol can also be due to poor lifestyle choices. High cholesterol is usually detected through a blood test or after an occurrence of a heart attack or stroke. You can control some of the causes of high cholesterol. Although high cholesterol can be treated, it is generally a lifelong health problem. Regularly monitor your food and exercise on a regular basis. You may need to take prescription medication as well if there is a need for you to control cholesterol and fat levels in your blood.