What is the connection between thyroid and cholesterol?

2024-03-28 09:57:00, Shëndeti CNA

Cholesterol is the headline in a flood of articles and medical advice about heart health, but experts clarify that cholesterol is not necessarily bad.

First of all, humans need cholesterol. This soft, wax-like substance is found not only in blood vessels, but also in every cell. Cholesterol is needed for the production of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone and bile acids that help digest fats.

In addition, cholesterol also helps with memory and is essential for many nerve functions.

In short, if you've made it this far, you have cholesterol to thank. All kidding aside, however, as with everything in life, even in the case of cholesterol, balances are fragile. If your body contains high amounts of bad cholesterol, then the damage is great.

Good cholesterol and bad cholesterol

Cholesterol is divided into three categories: lipoprotein of a low density, very low and very high. High density lipoprotein is very good for health. Bad cholesterol does not necessarily manifest itself with specific symptoms, so it is often known as the 'silent killer.' According to experts, a healthy cholesterol level is as follows:

Total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter of blood), LDU cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dl, LDL cholesterol should be 40 mg/dl or slightly higher. The level of triglycerides should be lower than 150 mg/dl.

What does cholesterol have to do with the thyroid?

The thyroid is responsible for releasing hormones that control metabolism, which directs how the body uses energy.

Thyroid hormones regulate breathing, body weight, body temperature, heart rate, and the nervous system. What researchers didn't know until now is that thyroid problems lead to increased levels of bad cholesterol.

In some cases, the thyroid produces too much or significantly less hormone, which causes a variety of problems. If you suffer from hypothyroidism, then the lack of hormones means more bad cholesterol in the blood. The few hormones in the body fail to clear cholesterol from the blood, raising its levels significantly and increasing the risk of heart disease.

Balanced diet

People suffering from hypothyroidism cannot be subjected to a specific food regime, however they should ensure that this regime is balanced. Doctors suggest that eating too much of a certain food damages the body. Consequently, they suggest a rich mix of fruits and vegetables.

Foods to avoid

Coffee and soy are two products that reduce the body's ability to utilize medications that affect hormones. Foods such as broccoli and spinach should be consumed carefully and not too much because they are rich in iodine.

Healthy fats

According to data from AgroWeb.org, the lack of healthy fats causes disruption of hormonal balances. Healthy fats make up the core of most hormones. They are found in avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, flax seeds, fish, yogurt, cheese and nuts.

Gluten

Patients suffering from hypothyroidism should avoid foods rich in gluten because they trigger the immune system to attack the thyroid. Bread, pasta, spices, wheat and barley are some examples of gluten-rich foods that should be avoided./ AgroWeb.org