Our penchant for unhealthy foods is taking its toll in terms of our general health. The recent findings of Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) study shows that the number of Filipinos with high cholesterol is increasing on an alarming rate and women with high cholesterol outnumber men by a wide margin.
The findings were revealed by Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, assistant scientist at the FNRI during the 56th Philippine Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, Inc. (PATACSI) Foundation Day held recently at Crowne Plaza Galleria. Agdeppa revealed that during the latest survey conducted by agency in 2013, females with borderline cholesterol level stood 51.4 percent with only 41.5 percent among men. While Adgeppa admitted that they have no study to explain why it is higher among women than men, she speculated that a sedentary lifestyle can be the reason for this.
“This is quite alarming and we need to make the people aware of the situation; we need to do something about it.”
She added that the prevalence of high cholesterol has increased to an alarming rate with one in two Filipino adults suffering from this condition. She also said that borderline cholesterol levels start to increase among people in their 20’s and continues to increase until middle age.
In the same survey, about 51.5 percent of adults between 40 to 49 years old already suffer from borderline cholesterol while people between 50 to 59 years old account for the highest rate of people with high cholesterol at 61.9. Meanwhile, people between 60 to 69 years old account for 58.9 percent.
Agdeppa emphasized that in order to better manage cholesterol, it is important to adopt a more active lifestyle and make proper dietary choices. Finally, regular visits to your doctor and to strict compliance with the medical treatment can help manage the condition.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all the cells of the body. This is needed to make hormones, vitamin D and substances that help people digest foods.
Cholesterol travels through your bloodstream in small packages called lipoproteins (lip-o-PRO-teens). These packages are made of fat (lipid) on the inside and proteins on the outside.
LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol. A high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries that usually causes to cardiac arrest.
Let’s watch this video from beloved senior citizens and learn more on how they manage their cholesterol.
