Controlling cholesterol levels is important for everyone, but it’s especially important if you have diabetes. Studies show that people diagnosed with diabetes often have more “bad” cholesterol (also known as LDL cholesterol), which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Managing cholesterol is essential to preventing heart disease and other health problems in those who have high cholesterol and diabetes.
Types of Cholesterol
In the past, you may have heard of “good cholesterol” and “bad cholesterol.” It’s not quite as simple as that, but there are multiple types of cholesterols. Cholesterol is the name of a group of fats called lipoproteins that are integral to your body’s metabolism. Though they are important to your body’s function, too many, especially of a certain type, can be harmful.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)- Commonly colloquialized as the “bad” cholesterol, an excess of this kind of cholesterol can lead to a buildup in your arteries. You want to have a lower number of this kind of lipoprotein. Statins will reduce LDL cholesterol in people with diabetes and reduces the risk of damage to blood vessels.
High-density lipoproteins (HDL)- Commonly referred to as “good” cholesterol, it helps remove other cholesterol from your body. A higher amount of these lipoproteins is considered good.
Triglycerides- These are another kind of blood fat that can raise your chance of a heart attack or stroke if you have too high of a level. These should be monitored as well.
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| HDL vs. LDL. Source: nih.gov |
Diabetes and Cholesterol
Here are some tips to lower your cholesterol if you have diabetes:
- Quit Smoking- Smoking increases your risk of heart attack and other coronary artery diseases, especially in those who have high cholesterol and diabetes. Quitting smoking can reduce your risk.
- Lose Weight If Necessary- Carrying excess weight, even just a few pounds, contributes to high cholesterol. Losing 5-10% of your weight can drastically improve your cholesterol levels. Start with assessing your diet and exercise plan with a doctor or nutritionist.
- Exercise Most Days of the Weeks- Increasing your physical activity will reduce high cholesterol, whether you have diabetes or not. Moderate physical activity can raise your “good” cholesterol. Talk to your doctor and try exercising at least 30 minutes daily, with activities such as a brisk walk, riding your bike, swimming laps, or playing a sport.
- Eat Heart-Healthy Foods- No matter what your diet has been in the past, making healthy changes can affect your cholesterol in a positive way. Eat foods with healthier fats, such as those found in leaner cuts of meat, low-fat dairy products, and in olive and canola oils. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon and other fishes, can also be heart-healthy. Try to avoid trans fats, which can be found in fried foods and many packaged products.
- Talk to Your Doctor About Prescription Options- Discuss taking a medication like Welchol, a bile acid sequestrant medication, to reduce high LDL levels. Medication might be part of a solution, along with the other changes, to maintain healthy cholesterol levels as a diabetes patient.
Conclusion
If you have high cholesterol and diabetes, consider some of these tips to lower your cholesterol and keep yourself safe from heart disease and other risk factors. Especially if you have hyperlipidemia, which is quite common in adults with high cholesterol and diabetes, it is important to take the necessary steps to take care of yourself and lower your cholesterol.
