What is Cholesterol.
Cholesterol is an essential fat with sterol (organic molecules), obtained by your body mainly by being manufactured by the liver and also derived from certain foods, which are from animal origin. 80% of your cholesterol is produced by the liver and only 20% comes from the foods that you eat. Cholesterol is a fat, and therefore reading these posts on Fats, Saturated Fats, Unsaturated Fats, Trans Fats, Benefits of Fats and Harmful Effects of Fats is recommended.
What is Blood Cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a waxy nature fat which cannot dissolve in blood. At the same time it has to be carried by the blood to the various parts of the body for the useful functions it has to perform. Cholesterol, therefore requires a sort of a vehicle to transport it.
What are Lipoproteins.
Cholesterol travels in the blood stream piggy riding on proteins and this combination is called lipoproteins ( Lipo meaning fat). Cholesterol is waxy in nature, insoluble in blood and therefore excess levels of cholesterol in blood cause it to get deposited or stuck on the walls of the arteries, clogging them over time. This condition is called atherosclerosis which can lead to heart diseases. This results when the levels of low density lipoproteins or LDL rise in blood.
picture of waxy cholesterol
Facts to Know about Cholesterol.
- More than half of the American population has higher than normal levels of blood cholesterol.
- Most of the cholesterol (80%) is produced by the liver.
- The more the saturated fats in your diet, the more cholesterol is produced by the liver.
- Cholesterol blood levels can be brought down merely by eating the right foods and having an active lifestyle. Medication may not be necessary.
- Cholesterol is obtained only from the animal food sources in your diet. No plant food contains cholesterol.
- Increase in blood cholesterol levels doubles your risk of getting heart disease.
- Every medical check up should contain a lipid profile showing your blood cholesterol levels.
How often should you check your Blood Cholesterol.
After the age of 20 years, blood cholesterol levels should be checked every 5 years. After the age of 35 years, such a medical check up should be carried out every 6 months or every year, depending on the risk factors you carry.
Types of Cholesterol.
Cholesterol, however is of one type only. It is the cholesterol and protein complex or combination called lipoproteins, as mentioned above, which is of different types. There are three types of lipoproteins – Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) or the bad cholesterol and High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) or the good cholesterol. There is a third type of cholesterol, however, called as the Very Low Density Cholesterol (VLDL).
1) Low Density Lipoproteins or LDL.
This is usually referred to as the Bad Cholesterol. This carries the cholesterol from the liver through the blood to the various body cells
2) High density Lipoproteins or HDL.
This is usually referred to as Good Cholesterol. This carries cholesterol from the blood stream to the liver to be excreted through the bile in to the small intestines.
3) Very low density Lipoproteins or VLDL.
This is not referred to much in everyday language. These are combinations of cholesterol and triglycerides and are heavier than LDL.
All these different types are discussed in detail in subsequent posts.
Picture of cholesterol cycle in the body.
Having studied these basics on Cholesterol and Types of Cholesterol, subsequent posts will tell you why your body needs cholesterol and the harmful effects cholesterol can have, if normal blood levels of cholesterol are not maintained.
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