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Stress, concentration, insomnia – they are unquestionably related, but recently in the popular media or in information propagated via the Internet, you can find a mention of the relationship between stress and cholesterol. Will people who are more often and more stressed really have higher levels of LDL (i.e. bad cholesterol)? Has this compound been clinically and scientifically tested? About it below!
Scientific evidence of the interconnectedness of stress and cholesterol
Answering the questions contained in the title and introductory, it should be emphasized at the beginning that the strong relationship between stress and cholesterol is a fact and has been discovered thanks to scientific research. Many scientists and doctors describe the mechanics of this relationship as follows: under the influence of severe stress, the body is stimulated to produce more glucose and fatty acids using food, because they are natural “carriers” of energy. Energy in a stressful situation is necessary for the body to survive a temporary crisis. The liver must then also produce more cholesterol, which is naturally used in the body as a means of transporting the above compounds. Together with “good” cholesterol, which fulfills the above-mentioned functions, “bad” cholesterol is also produced, which is responsible for many modern diseases.
Proper behavior during stress
Many people eat more than they need during stressful situations. Fast-processed snacks, fast-food, or sweets are especially common. This is one of the triggers of the entire process described above. Feeling strong stress, you should react to it appropriately and learn to “fight” with it in a more natural way without overeating.
Cholesterol and stress: what do we know?
- Strong stress raises the levels of bad cholesterol in small amounts, but it can also lead to other diseases and diseases, e.g. neurosis is caused by experiencing strong anxiety associated with stress
- Stress can be associated with the formation of hypertension and metabolic disorders, which are also associated with the management of cholesterol in the body
- What’s more, stress is also associated with increasing the level of insulin in the blood (just by driving the function of producing more glucose), and this again intensifies the synthesis of cholesterol
Coping with stress
It is worth dealing with upcoming stressful situations in advance. Remember not to overeat, as well as to perform appropriate anti-stress exercises, e.g. breathing, which will help to reduce the effects of stress. Stress can also be fought with mild sedatives, e.g. herbal tablets or herbal teas and infusions. We will also overcome stress by exercising physically, oxygenating ourselves, or by preparing well for all life exams and situations in which stress could intensify.