High cholesterol is a condition that can lead to serious health problems, but it can often go undetected as it doesn’t have any symptoms – except for a ‘silent’ one that can show on your feet.
Medical experts have issued a warning about a ‘silent’ symptom of high cholesterol that can manifest in your feet. Cholesterol is essential in the body for hormone production and cell membrane formation, but an excess of this fatty substance can lead to serious health issues.
Excessive cholesterol can block blood vessels and arteries, hindering smooth blood flow when it combines with other substances to form plaques. These plaques can grow over time, potentially leading to heart attacks and strokes as blood cannot reach crucial arteries.
High cholesterol, also known as hyperlipidemia, is often associated with unhealthy diets, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption. It’s frequently dubbed a ‘silent killer’ because patients typically discover they have it only after a blood test.
However, Dr Sami Firoozi, a consultant cardiologist at the Harley Street Clinic, told Huffington Post in 2023 that there’s a symptom of the condition that can appear on people’s toes. Slow-growing or brittle toenails could be a warning sign of high cholesterol.
Three other symptoms include Tendon xanthomata (swelling of knuckles, knees, and backs of ankles), Xanthelasmas (small yellow cholesterol deposits near the inner corner of your eye), and Corneal arcus (a pale ring might appear around your iris), reports the Mirror.
The British Heart Foundation has flagged one concerning statistic — nearly half the UK’s adults boast cholesterol levels that surpass the recommended 5mmol/L. Meanwhile, renowned cardiologist Dr Elizabeth Klodas revealed three top-notch foods to tackle cholesterol, all rich in an essential ingredient — fibre.
Dr Klodas said: “As a cardiologist, I always tell patients that lowering their LDL [low-density lipoprotein] ‘bad’ cholesterol can help prevent cardiovascular disease. Many foods have soluble fibre, which binds cholesterol in the digestive system and drags them out of the body before they get into circulation.”
Oats are the first on Dr Klodas’ list for combating high cholesterol, as she said: “I always stock my kitchen with oats, and typically have half a cup per day. Not only are they high in fibre, they contain plenty of antioxidants, including those that help improve blood vessel function and lower blood pressure .”
In addition to oats, chickpeas also come highly recommended for their fibre content and multitude of health benefits.
Recent studies have shown that a well-loved spice could also be the key to reducing cholesterol and even fighting cancer. This particular fruit is packed with a compound renowned for its multitude of health benefits.
Chilli peppers are emerging as a potential ally for heart health and more, due to capsaicin, the fiery component that gives chillies their heat, reports the Express.
Not only does capsaicin bring the spice to chillies, but it also has properties that may lower cholesterol and help in the fight against cancer and arthritis.
A 2022 study published in the Frontiers in Nutrition journal highlighted capsaicin’s effects on cholesterol levels. This research involved an analysis of nine controlled trials with 461 patients suffering from metabolic syndrome—a combination of health issues that heighten the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.