High cholesterol levels linked to genes

[LahoreEstate]

By Sarwat Ghulam Rasool

KARACHI: Familial hypercholesterolemia, a constant high level of cholesterol in individuals since birth, is commonly found in Pakistani families, due to which risks of having a heart attack increase from a very young age.

The Karachi University (KU) Centre for Molecular Genetics Director Dr Nuzhat Ahmed conducted a research with her team members, which included students working for their PhD. “Hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disease that can be passed on from parents to their children. It has been found that in those families where inter-family marriages are common, there are greater chances of inheriting hypercholesterolemia,” revealed Dr Nuzhat. She stated that chances of suffering from heart diseases, including heart attack and atherosclerosis (in which arterial blood vessels are affected, commonly referred to as Hardening and Furring of the arteries) are higher in those families where cholesterol levels are constantly high. Such high levels of cholesterol can be maintained by altering ones lifestyle.

In hypercholesterolemia, Low Density Lipid (LDL) levels increase due to a gene mutation that can be transferred from generation to generation. A high LDL level is harmful for the body, while a high level of High Density Lipid (HDL) is good for the body. Regular exercise can help decrease the LDL levels and increases HDL levels; smoking is harmful as it lowers the HDL level, Dr Nuzhat maintained.

Families that suffer from high cholesterol should have a diet low in unsaturated fats, saturated fats and proteins, including red meat. The total cholesterol intake per day should not exceed 300 milligrams and they should eat meals containing vitamin E, she added.

Dr Nuzhat went on to say that genetic diseases are commonly found in Pakistan due to inter-family marriages.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg7_26