What is Hyperlipidemia?
Lipids present in the bloodstream are referred to as blood lipids, primarily consisting of triglycerides and cholesterol. Triglycerides, also known as neutral fats, are absorbed from the intestine through food and synthesized in the liver. Triglycerides play a role in transporting and storing energy in the blood and are essential for maintaining the normal functioning of organs and tissues.
Cholesterol, on the other hand, has two main sources. A portion is endogenously synthesized by body cells, and the other comes from exogenous dietary sources, mainly animal-based foods like liver and egg yolks. Cholesterol is a crucial component for synthesizing hormones, bile acids, vitamin D, and maintaining the integrity of cell membranes.
Cholesterol can be further categorized into high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL, known as “good cholesterol,” removes excess cholesterol from blood vessel walls and transports it back to the liver for metabolism. On the other hand, LDL, known as “bad cholesterol,” transports cholesterol from the liver through the bloodstream to peripheral tissues for utilization. Due to its smaller size, LDL is prone to accumulate in blood vessel walls, leading to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
When the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), or LDL exceed standard values in the blood, it is diagnosed as hyperlipidemia. Prolonged high blood lipid levels can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, narrowing of blood vessels, blood clot formation, and, consequently, the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases such as angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke.
| Ideal (mg/dl) | High (mg/dl) | Dangerous (mg/dl) | Very Dangerous (mg/dl) | |
| Total Cholesterol (Non-fasting) |
<200 | 200~240 | >240 | >240 |
| Low-Density Lipoprotein (Fasting for 12 hours) |
<130 | 130~160 | 160~190 | >190 |
| Triglycerides (Fasting for 12 hours) |
<150 | 150~200 | 200~500 | >500 |
Note: Diagnostic criteria for hyperlipidemia
How to Manage Hyperlipidemia?
Preventing hyperlipidemia involves lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, maintaining an ideal weight, and medication control. Additionally, incorporating relevant dietary supplements can effectively improve hyperlipidemia. Here are some related health foods:
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Fish Oil
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and studies have confirmed its cardiovascular health benefits, anti-inflammatory properties, thrombus inhibition, anti-depressant effects, lipid-lowering, anti-dementia properties, and eye health benefits. Among them, EPA and DHA are particularly beneficial.
According to a Taiwanese professor of cardiology at National Taiwan University Hospital, high-concentration fish oil is effective in improving elevated triglycerides. In addition to medications such as statins and fibrate derivatives for reducing triglycerides, high-concentration fish oil has also shown effectiveness. It is worth noting that improper use of statins and fibrate derivatives may lead to side effects such as abnormal liver function and may cause rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure due to drug interactions.
Clinical experiments abroad have shown that fish oil with EPA/DHA concentrations above 80% has better absorption rates and is effective in reducing triglycerides. Therefore, Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare recommends high-concentration fish oil containing EPA/DHA above 80% for treating elevated triglycerides. EPA and DHA in Omega-3 increase liver beta-oxidation, reduce liver synthesis of triglycerides, and increase the activity of plasma lipoprotein lipase, thereby reducing blood triglyceride levels.
Further Reading: [2023 Latest] 7 Recommended and Compared Fish Oils, 5 Key Points to Choose High-Concentration Deep-Sea Fish Oil
Brands!
Further Reading: 13 Effects and Side Effects of Taking Fish Oil Omega-3 (Pay Attention to Point 4.5)
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Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice, as documented in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, has the effects of enhancing physical strength, aiding digestion, and promoting blood circulation. Fermented red yeast rice contains various compounds such as dimeric acids and amino butyric acid, among which “monacolin K” (Monacolin K) is well-known. Monacolin K, especially, has been thoroughly researched for its primary efficacy in inhibiting endogenous cholesterol synthesis by blocking hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), reducing cholesterol production in the body, and achieving the effect of lowering hyperlipidemia. [2] [3]
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Nattokinase
Natto is a traditional Japanese fermented food made from soybeans through the action of Bacillus subtilis natto, characterized by stickiness and a distinct odor. Natto is rich in nutrients, with “nattokinase” being the most extensively studied.
💡Studies indicate that nattokinase has several benefits in preventing cardiovascular diseases, such as dissolving blood clots, inhibiting atherosclerosis, suppressing hypertension, inhibiting platelet aggregation, reducing triglycerides, reducing total cholesterol, and neuroprotection [4] [5].
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Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber is a nutrient that is not easily digested and absorbed by the body but is essential. In addition to promoting gastrointestinal motility to aid in bowel movements, dietary fiber can control body weight, regulate blood sugar, improve gut microbiota, and lower blood lipids.
Dietary fiber binds with fat in the intestines, reducing the absorption of fats. Moreover, dietary fiber binds with bile acids, increasing the excretion of bile acids in feces. This prompts the liver to recycle blood cholesterol to synthesize bile acids, meeting the body’s demand for bile acids. Studies also indicate that daily supplementation of an appropriate amount of dietary fiber significantly reduces total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and atherosclerosis indicators in the blood [6] [7] [8].
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Green Tea
Green tea is a common beverage in Asia, and epidemiological and clinical experiments have proven that consuming green tea can maintain cardiovascular health. Catechins are the main polyphenolic compounds in green tea, and they possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-thrombotic, and anti-lipogenic enzyme inhibition effects, reducing fat absorption, among other benefits. Through various mechanisms, green tea achieves vascular protection. [9]
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