Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance made by your liver and found in every cell in your body. While it’s essential for building hormones, vitamin D, and healthy cells, too much of the wrong type can be harmful to your health.
There are two main types of cholesterol:
- HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein):Known as “good” cholesterol, it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your blood.
- LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein):Known as “bad” cholesterol, high levels of LDL can clog your arteries and lead to serious health problems.
When LDL cholesterol builds up in your blood, it forms plaque, a sticky substance that narrows your arteries and slows blood flow. This is where kidney complications can begin.
What causes kidney damage from cholesterol?
Specifically, there are 3 damages as follows:
1. Narrowing and hardening of blood vessels in the kidneys
High LDL cholesterol causes plaque to form in the blood vessel walls, a phenomenon called atherosclerosis. When this happens in the small blood vessels in the kidneys, the blood filtration process will be hindered. These blood vessels are like sophisticated filters, and once they are narrowed, the kidneys will not be able to remove toxins and waste effectively. Gradually, kidney function declines, creating a burden for the whole body.
2. Pressure on the kidneys when blood pressure increases
High cholesterol makes the heart have to work harder to push blood through narrow blood vessels. This leads to chronic hypertension, which is one of the leading causes of kidney damage. The high pressure from blood constantly hitting the kidney’s glomeruli will damage them over time. If not controlled promptly, high blood pressure combined with high cholesterol will accelerate the process of kidney failure.
3. The link to type 2 diabetes
High cholesterol doesn’t usually stand alone. It’s an unwelcome companion to obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which are serious risk factors for chronic kidney disease.
Diabetes, in particular, is the second leading cause of end-stage renal failure. When blood sugar and blood lipids rise together, the kidneys face a double attack, and the consequences can be irreversible.
Signs Your Kidneys May Be Affected by Cholesterol
Here are some common signs:
- Feeling unusually tired for no apparent reason
- Frequently dry and itchy skin, even after moisturizing
- Mild swelling in the legs, ankles, hands, or face
- Foamy or bloody urine
- High blood pressure, despite a low-salt diet
- Shortness of breath during exertion (in severe cases)
These are warning signs that your kidney function is being affected, and high cholesterol may be part of the reason.
Cholesterol control strategies to protect your kidneys
1. Eat a Healthy Diet to Reduce the Stress on Your Kidneys
A diet low in saturated fat, low in sodium, and high in vegetables and fiber is the most important foundation. Cut down on red meat, animal fat, and fast food, and replace it with fatty fish, whole grains, lentils, dark green vegetables, and fresh fruit. Not only is this a way to reduce bad cholesterol, it also helps the kidneys not to work too hard to eliminate toxins.
2. Control your weight and stay physically active
Being overweight, especially in the abdominal area, is a factor that increases the risk of both high cholesterol and diabetes. Maintaining a reasonable weight, light exercise such as brisk walking, yoga or cycling will improve blood circulation and reduce pressure on the kidneys.
3. Drink enough water and properly
Water helps the kidneys work more effectively, but for people at risk of kidney failure, it is necessary to be instructed by a doctor on the appropriate amount of water. Drinking enough, but not too much, will help the body eliminate cholesterol through the digestive tract and urine more effectively.
4. Limit tobacco and alcohol
Both damage blood vessels, causing endothelial damage, including the small blood vessels in the kidneys. Eliminating tobacco and alcohol from your daily lifestyle is not only good for the heart but also especially beneficial for the kidney’s blood filtering function.
5. Regular Screening
Finally, don’t wait until you have symptoms to get your cholesterol and kidney function checked. A simple blood test every 6–12 months can detect high blood lipids and the risk of kidney damage early.
