The Relationship between Cholesterol Levels and Diabetes

Health information reviewed and edited by dr. dr. William

Did you know that cholesterol and diabetes can exacerbate each other's complications?
Cholesterol is a fat that is produced naturally by the liver or can also be obtained by
consuming animal products, such as meat and milk. Our bodies need cholesterol to help form
new cells, produce certain hormones, as well as produce vitamin D that the body needs.
Due to its insoluble nature in the blood, our liver also produces substances called lipoproteins
to distribute cholesterol throughout the body. Lipoproteins actually vary. However, there are
2 main types, namely:
1. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL): LDL carries cholesterol throughout the body
through arteries. LDL is often referred to as 'bad cholesterol'.
2. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL): a type of 'good cholesterol' whose job is to return
excess cholesterol back to the liver to be removed from the body.

How can diabetes and cholesterol complicate each other?

If you have diabetes, it's a good idea to start paying attention to cholesterol levels in your
body. Patients with diabetes have a special condition, namely the level of insulin (a hormone
that converts glucose into energy) needed by the body is not met.
Sugar that enters the body cannot be absorbed properly by the body's cells and eventually
accumulates in the blood. The condition of high sugar levels in the blood of diabetics turns
out to trigger an increase in the level of bad cholesterol or LDL in the body and actually
lowers the level of good cholesterol or HDL.
Too much bad cholesterol, builds up on the walls of the arteries and forms plaque. The more
plaque that accumulates, it will have an impact on the blockage of blood flow due to the
narrowed diameter of the arteries. If left unchecked, it is feared that diabetics will experience
atherosclerosis, which is a condition when diabetic patients become susceptible to stroke and
heart disease.

How to regulate cholesterol levels in the body?

There are several ways you can do to regulate cholesterol levels in the body, including:
1. Reduce or avoid consumption of foods containing chocolate, margarine, or coconut
milk.
2. Choose products that are low in fat.
3. Eat foods that contain lots of omega-3 fatty acids, such as soybeans, oats, sea fish, or
kidney beans.
4. Increase consumption of vegetables and fruit to help speed up the process of
dissolving cholesterol in the body.
In addition to cholesterol levels in the body, it's good for diabetics to always control body
sugar levels. Some ways that can be done to regulate blood sugar are:

1. Maintain ideal body weight.

2. Exercise regularly. Do it 4 days a week for at least 30 minutes.
3. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
4. Set a healthier diet by eating high-fiber foods.
5. Don't forget to check your blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides
regularly.

Finally, always consult a doctor regarding the possibility of taking cholesterol-lowering drugs
or diabetes treatment.