Dr. Archana Senthilnathan B.H.M.S, Msc. Yoga

What is Hyperlipidemia and how can we find out:

Hyperlipidemia means high levels of lipids (fats) in the blood. I personally feel Hyperlipidemia is purely a Life-style disorder condition. It can be identified by a simple blood test - Lipid profile. 

Components of Lipid Panel :  

  1. Total Cholesterol, 
  2. LDL (Low density lipoprotein) commonly called as bad cholesterol, 
  3. HDL (High density lipoprotein) commonly called as good cholesterol 
  4. Triglycerides 
  5. VLDL (Very low density lipoprotein) – bad cholesterol 
  6. Triglycerides: HDL  - Ratio

It can be simply diagnosed by high levels of Total cholesterol, LDL also increase in triglycerides and low HDL (to know more detail about lipid components and its functions check this out: https://healthylifestylehealthybodyandmind.blogspot.com/2025/03/all-you-need-to-know-about-lipid.html)

What are the causes for Hyperlipidemia: 

Some Major causes include:  

  1. Smoking or alcohol  
  2. Sedentary habits  
  3. Over-eating 
  4. Improper eating (poor diet) – taking more than 40% of fat in total calories, more than 10% of saturated fat in total calories and more than 300 mg/day of cholesterol content in food.

                -Most of it comes from saturated fats like butter, palm oil, cheese, heavy creamy products, full fat dairy products, processed meat, etc.  Trans fat like -all commercially fried foods, baked foods, processed snack foods, frozen pizza, packed frostings, etc.  Refined carbs like white bread, polished and refined white rice, etc.

 What are the complications:

High fat content in blood starts to deposit in the blood vessels. 

  1. Stroke (CAD), 
  2. Deep vein thrombosis, 
  3. Fatty Liver

It also paves way to other metabolic diseases like Diabetes Mellitus, Thyroid Disorder, Obesity.

How to prevent:  

  1. Include physical activity - Stay active  
  2. Eat according to your body - don't overeat 
  3. Eat healthy - avoid  foods high in fat items and include green leafy vegetable more 
  4. Quit smoking and alcohol 
  5. Do meditation - be stress free 
  6. Use polyunsaturated fats like soy products, nuts and seeds, fish rich in omega 3 fatty acid.

Take charge of your health today and be active !!