Cholesterol during pregnancy: the norm and reasons for the increase

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

During pregnancy, changes in the work of almost all organs occur in a woman's body. Protective mechanisms decrease, blood counts, endocrine and nervous system activity change. There are deviations from the norm, which are considered physiological. And some are pathological. What is the norm of cholesterol during pregnancy and what are the reasons for the deviation? This is described in the article.

Norma

The main indicators related to the level of cholesterol in the body of a girl carrying a child are determined by the content of substances:

1. Norm of cholesterol during pregnancy (total cholesterol) - 3, 07-13, 8 mmol / l.
2. Atherogenic – 0.4-2.5 units.
3. Fatty acids - 0.4-2.2 mmol/L.

The large ranges in these standards are due to several reasons. Every age has its own cholesterol levels during pregnancy:

• B16 years - 3.07-5.19 mmol/l.
• At 25 years old - 3, 17-5, 6 mmol/l.

In addition, the rate of cholesterol during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester and the third increases by 1.5-2 times. It turns out that at 16-20 years old it can be 3.07-10.38 mmol / l. The norm of cholesterol during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester is almost the same as in the second. A doctor can determine its level.

Unhe althy diet, excess weight, physical inactivity can lead to a deviation from the norm of cholesterol during pregnancy. Especially harmful are products with trans-fatty acids, which affects the blood and lipid metabolism. It is undesirable for women to consume red meat, lard, confectionery while carrying a child. These products include fatty acids, they act on the violation of the norm of cholesterol in the blood during pregnancy.

Why is it going up?

Increase in the rate of total cholesterol during pregnancy may develop due to heredity. If there are people in the family who suffer from atherosclerosis, the risk of impaired cholesterol levels increases. The older the pregnant woman, the greater the number of diseases that can manifest themselves. This applies to systemic diseases, age-related increase in blood cholesterol. Harmful is sunflower oil, which is better to replace with olive oil.

There are other reasons for high cholesterol levels in women during pregnancy. This may be related to:

• pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• presence of foci of chronic infection;
• diseaseskidneys, including those with renal failure, nephroptosis;
• disruption of the pancreas;
• lack of growth hormone, diabetes mellitus.

Changes during pregnancy are harmful in that they reduce the level of good cholesterol in the blood and increase "bad". Diseases acquired with age, bad habits before the conception of a child only aggravate the condition, which can lead to negative consequences.

Danger high and low

Cholesterol in pregnant women is checked every 3 months. An increase in its level in the later period, especially in the 3rd trimester, can cause he alth problems for the mother and child. Anxiety appears when the norm is increased by 2-2.5 times. In this case, cholesterol is dangerous for a woman and a child.

With a 2-fold increase in the norm, an increase in blood viscosity and fragility of blood vessels is likely. This can lead to cardiovascular pathologies in the mother. There are situations when a child develops heart disease. The cause of a strong increase in cholesterol over 9-12 mmol / l can be diseases of the heart, blood vessels, thyroid gland, kidneys and liver.

Low cholesterol during pregnancy is also undesirable. Lack negatively affects the formation of the child. A reduced level leads to premature birth, worsens the mother's well-being, and weakens her memory. Therefore, it is important to be examined by a doctor in a timely manner in order to identify violations in he alth in time and correct it. Only a specialist can recommendeffective measures to improve the well-being and he alth of mother and child.

How to shrink

It is not difficult to influence the causes of high cholesterol during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester. It is necessary to control nutrition, monitor weight, undergo examinations, donate blood for cholesterol.

It is important that lowering the content of substances (cholesterol levels) during pregnancy is safe. Therefore, you should not use medicines. It should be borne in mind that the body needs cholesterol, it will be dangerous only in excess. When using medicines and folk remedies, it is important not to overdo it, since the body of a pregnant woman works for two, a slight violation of lipid metabolism will not be harmful to him.

To normalize cholesterol during pregnancy, the following rules must be observed:

1. You should stick to a diet: do not eat fatty foods, butter, reduce sweets in the diet.
2. Physical activity helps. This requires special gymnastics for expectant mothers. Exercise normalizes lipid metabolism and weight.
3. Fresh juice and tea, preferably green, have a positive effect on metabolic processes. Preventive measures help normalize cholesterol levels.

Pregnancy can be not entirely easy, and therefore many women are not up to recommendations. Many pregnant women direct all actions to eliminate toxicosis, poor he alth, sleep and appetite disorders. This can also affect the increase / decrease in cholesterol, since habits and lifestyleaffect metabolism.

Prevention

To maintain normal cholesterol in the third trimester of pregnancy, it is necessary to follow preventive measures. To do this, you need to adhere to proper nutrition, be in a stable psychological state, use safe folk remedies, natural herbs. It is important to get rid of bad habits.

The main rule of prevention is a he althy lifestyle. Juice therapy is effective, which does not eliminate the cause, but strengthens the immune system:

1. On the first day of treatment, prepare 50 ml of celery juice and 130 ml of carrot juice. Consume them 2 hours after eating.
2. On the 2nd day, cucumber, beetroot, carrot juices, 100 ml each, are used to reduce cholesterol. Drink in the morning, afternoon and evening.
3. On the 3rd day, cabbage, carrot, apple juices are mixed in any proportions (to taste).

Traditional medicine

There are safe and effective traditional medicines that reduce the level of harmful substances in the blood:

1. Garlic (10 cloves) is added to olive oil (2 cups), which is passed through a garlic press in advance. The remedy is infused for a week. The resulting oil is used to prevent atherosclerosis. And when cholesterol is elevated, the remedy, in combination with other measures, will help to lower it safely.
2. Need dill (1/2 cup), honey (1 cup), valerian (1 tbsp.). Components are mixed and poured with boiling water(1 liter). Then the remedy is infused for 2 days. The resulting infusion is stored in the refrigerator and taken 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. l. 30 minutes before meals. This is an excellent prevention of atherosclerosis, since each component can normalize the high level of harmful substances in the blood.

Useful products

The following foods should be included in your diet:

1. Avocado. This is a valuable product for the prevention of atherosclerosis and lowering blood cholesterol in pregnant women. If you eat ½ fruit for 21 days, then bad cholesterol is reduced by 5%.
2. Olive oil. It contains many phytosterols, which reduces the harmful substance and restores the overall balance. The unrefined oil has an anti-inflammatory effect.
3. Fish oil. It is found in abundance in sardines and salmon. These products are leaders in the content of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, marine representatives contain less mercury. Thanks to red salmon, with its regular use, cholesterol is lowered. This product is considered a strong natural antioxidant.

Fish oil & omega-3

In addition to daily consumption of omega-3 in foods, it must be obtained from drugs. Doctors recommend a trusted manufacturer and prescribe a dosage. The capsules contain an oil concentrate of the substance. If it is not possible to eat fish, nuts, avocados every day, then this remedy will be the most suitable.

In a smaller amount, omega-3 is present infish oil. It is sold in a pharmacy - an oil solution and capsules. The negative property of the product is that it should be consumed in large quantities to replenish the daily requirement of omega-3. The average dosage of a fish oil capsule is 50-100 mg. The oily solution tastes bad, the smell can cause nausea, so the capsules are easier to take.

Oil and flax seeds

Flax seeds are effective. They are ground in a coffee grinder and poured with hot water. A jelly-like solution is obtained. Use it for 1 tbsp. l. three times a day before meals. The seeds are also added to low-fat dairy products.

Flaxseed oil is useful. It contains a concentrated extract from flax seeds. It is used as part of dishes or 1 tbsp. l. three times a day with meals. But the oil should not be subjected to heat treatment, as valuable substances are lost. In the pharmacy it is sold in the form of capsules. They are easy to use and retain valuable components.

Food

When pregnant, women should follow the doctor's recommendations. This is especially important for high cholesterol. Since malnutrition is a common cause of atherosclerosis, you should pay attention to the diet.

In nutrition, you must adhere to the following principles:

1. We need to change the fat composition of food, replace saturated fats with unsaturated ones, which immediately eliminates the causes.
2. Requires a variety of foods, a combination of fruits, vegetables, meat and fish.
3. Eat fresh foods that contain the right vitamins and minerals.
4. Food neededcook at home.

Eat preferably in small portions, but often. It is best to do this 5-6 times a day. Useful snacks in the form of yogurt, kefir, fermented baked milk with low fat content. It is better to cook food in such ways as boiling, stewing, steaming, baking in the oven. Fried and smoked foods should not be consumed.

He althy Diet

Menu should consist of:

• vegetable oils;
• fruits and vegetables;
• greenery;
• groats;
• fish;
• nuts;
• soy products - soy milk, cheese, cottage cheese.

Omega-3s are essential. It is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. It covers the body's need for fats, and also dissolves atherosclerotic plaques. Omega-3s are found in vegetable oils, avocados, walnuts, and fatty fish. It is advisable to eat these foods every day.

The calorie content of the menu should be reduced to 2500 kcal per day. The norm of fluid per day is up to 2 liters. In the later stages, women develop swelling and increased pressure. In these conditions, you should consult a nutritionist and gynecologist.

Nutritional nuances

It is especially necessary to consume fresh vegetables. It is desirable that they replace fatty foods. They are considered the main sources of vitamin E, C, beta-carotene, mineral components. The most useful products can be selected by color. Dark green, dark yellow, red fruits and vegetables are more beneficial.others.

In the diet should be vegetable and fruit salads, leafy vegetables rich in folic acid (it protects against the appearance of harmful cholesterol). This diet is considered a good prevention of diseases of the endocrine system and malignant processes. Limit intake of saturated fats. It is important for pregnant women to adhere to the following rules:

1. It is better to replace fatty foods with plant foods to eliminate the cause.
2. You need to choose lean meat or remove fat before cooking.
3. Eat chicken without the skin, do not cook meat broths, as they contain a lot of cholesterol.

Special attention should be paid to broths. Fat accumulated on the surface is dangerous, so it must be removed before use. Pregnant women with high cholesterol should be under the supervision of a cardiologist and endocrinologist all the time while carrying a child.