In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat’s the Link Between Inflammation and High Cholesterol?How to Reduce Inflammation to Prevent High CholesterolFAQs
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
What’s the Link Between Inflammation and High Cholesterol?
How to Reduce Inflammation to Prevent High Cholesterol
FAQs
High cholesterolhas long been associated with an increasedheart disease risk. But did you know that—in addition to factors like diet, exercise and genetics—inflammation may play a role in less-than-optimal cholesterol levels? According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, about 86 million U.S. adults have high cholesterol, while chronic inflammation is linked tovarious health conditions, such asdiabetes, cardiovascular disease andarthritis.
In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating relationship between inflammation and high cholesterol and how one can lead to the other.
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There are two types ofinflammation: acute and chronic. According toStatPearls,acute inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury or infection, like when you get a cut or catch a cold. It’s a short-term process that helps your body fight off invaders and heal. Conversely, chronic inflammation is a persistent, low-grade inflammation that can linger for weeks, months or even years and lead to health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and autoimmune diseases, according to theNational Institutes of Health.
Chronic inflammation is the type to be concerned about regarding your cholesterol levels and overall health.Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, a registered dietitian and author of2-Day Diabetes Diet, tellsEatingWell, “Chronic inflammation over time can lead to a reduction in “good” HDL cholesterol, while increasing “bad” LDL levels. This inflammation can also irritate blood vessels and cause plaque buildup, eventually leading to atherosclerosis.”
A 2018 study published inNutrientsfound that in addition to lowering HDL and bumping up LDL levels, chronic inflammation also increasedtriglyceridesand lipoprotein(a)—all biomarkers for cardiovascular disease. And according to 2022 research published inAntioxidants, chronic inflammation triggers the release of substances that can lead to the accumulation of cholesterol in your artery walls, potentially leading to heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. Another 2022 study, also fromNutrients, found that chronic inflammation can disrupt the balance of fats in your bloodstream, potentially raising your cholesterol levels further.
There are steps you can take, however, to tamp down inflammation and cholesterol levels.
CDC
The Bottom Line
To prevent high cholesterol, adopt an anti-inflammatory diet high in nutrient-rich whole foods, exercise regularly, manage stress effectively, maintain a healthy weight and prioritize quality sleep. These lifestyle strategies can help reduce inflammation and manage cholesterol levels to help boost your overall health and quality of life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Signs of inflammationcan vary but may include redness, swelling, pain or warmth in the affected area if it’s acute. Signs of chronic inflammation are trickier to pinpoint, but may include fatigue, fever and general malaise. However, chronic inflammation is often internal, so it may not have noticeable symptoms and can only be detected through medical tests.“Chronic inflammation can cause fatigue, gastrointestinal discomfort, poor sleep and changes in clinical data, including elevated inflammatory markers such as CRP levels,” says Palinski-Wade.
Signs of inflammationcan vary but may include redness, swelling, pain or warmth in the affected area if it’s acute. Signs of chronic inflammation are trickier to pinpoint, but may include fatigue, fever and general malaise. However, chronic inflammation is often internal, so it may not have noticeable symptoms and can only be detected through medical tests.
“Chronic inflammation can cause fatigue, gastrointestinal discomfort, poor sleep and changes in clinical data, including elevated inflammatory markers such as CRP levels,” says Palinski-Wade.
Absolutely. According to theNIH, eating whole, nutrient-dense foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats, will support heart health and reduce cholesterol.
Several factors can contribute to unusually high cholesterol levels. According to theAmerican Heart Association, these may include a diet high in saturated and trans fats, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, genetic factors and age.
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