What Are Cholesterol & Triglycerides?

🟡 Cholesterol is a fat-like substance made by the liver and also absorbed from certain foods (mainly animal-based).

• Functions: Builds cell membranes, hormones (like estrogen, testosterone), and vitamin D.
• Sources: 80% is made by the liver, 20% comes from diet (e.g., egg yolks, red meat, dairy).

🟣 Triglycerides (TG) are the most common type of fat in your body.

• Function: They store excess calories from food and provide energy.
• Sources: Formed in the liver when you consume excess carbohydrates, sugars, or alcohol.

⚠️ Why Do Cholesterol & TG Levels Go Up?

1. Unhealthy Diet

The biggest contributor to raised lipids:

• High saturated fats (ghee, butter, red meat)
• Trans fats (packaged snacks, bakery items)
• Excess sugar, sweets, and sweetened drinks
• Refined carbs (white bread, white rice)
• Overeating even healthy calories

What Happens?
Excess energy → stored as triglycerides → liver converts more fat → raises blood lipid levels.

2. Liver Dysfunction

The liver is the central player in cholesterol metabolism. If the liver is:

• Fatty (NAFLD)
• Inflamed
• Insulin-resistant
  It will produce more cholesterol and TG, and less HDL (good cholesterol).

3. Lack of Exercise

A sedentary lifestyle:

• Reduces HDL (protective cholesterol)
• Increases TG and LDL
• Promotes visceral fat and insulin resistance

Even 30 minutes of walking daily can lower TG and raise HDL.

4. Obesity and Belly Fat

Visceral fat (fat around organs) is metabolically active:

• It increases free fatty acids in the blood
• Promotes TG and LDL production
• Decreases HDL
• Makes cells resistant to insulin, leading to more TG synthesis

5. Insulin Resistance / Type 2 Diabetes

When your cells don’t respond well to insulin:

• Sugar remains in the blood
• Liver turns excess sugar into triglycerides
• Leads to high TG, low HDL, and small, dense LDL (very dangerous)

🔍 Clue: If your TG/HDL ratio is high, you likely have insulin resistance.

6. Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is rapidly converted to acetate, which the liver turns into fat.
Heavy drinking:

• Raises TG
• Leads to fatty liver
• Can also elevate LDL

7. Hypothyroidism

Low thyroid hormone slows metabolism and causes:

• High total cholesterol
• High LDL
• Sometimes elevated TG

Always rule out thyroid issues in unexplained high cholesterol cases.

8. Genetics / Family History

Some people have familial hypercholesterolemia — inherited high LDL due to a gene defect.
Even young, slim people may have:

• Total cholesterol > 300 mg/dL
• LDL > 190 mg/dL

They often need early lifestyle changes + medication.

9. Medications That Raise Lipids

• Steroids
• Birth control pills
• Beta blockers
• Diuretics
• Some anti-HIV drugs
• Retinoids (for acne)

Always inform your doctor of all current meds during lipid evaluation.

🧪 Summary Table: Where Cholesterol & TG Come From

📌 Takeaway: Root Causes of High Lipids

• Poor diet = increased fat & sugar → liver overproduces TG & cholesterol
• Inactivity & stress = less HDL, more belly fat, insulin resistance
• Liver dysfunction = faulty fat metabolism
• Genetics & hormones can worsen these effects

🌿 What to Do Naturally?

Monitor labs every 6–12 months

Eat whole foods: fiber, greens, nuts, berries

Avoid trans fats, sugar, excess meat

Exercise regularly

Treat underlying thyroid or liver issues

Use Omega-3s, garlic, flaxseed, and amla