What is Cholesterol?Everybody talks about it, but what is cholesterol exactly, and why do we have it in our bloodstream? Cholesterol is a natural, soft waxy substance similar to fat, which is present in all animals, and to a much lesser extent in plant membranes. It is made by the human body and found in many animal-based foods such as meats, poultry, fish, dairy products and eggs. Cholesterol plays a vital role in our bodies - in fact , without it , we would not be able to function. It is necessary for the digestion of dietary fats, making hormones, building cell walls, and other important processes. The body produces as much cholesterol as it needs - there is no need for it to be present in the diet. Because it is produced to help the digestion of fats in the diet, the more fat that is eaten, the more cholesterol is produced. This is where the problem lies - it is not the fact that we have cholesterol in our bloodstream that is dangerous, it is if we have too much.
Good and Bad CholesterolCholesterol, being similar to fat, does not dissolve in the blood, so it has to be transported round the body by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are several kinds of lipoprotein, but the important ones are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). These are often referred to as "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and "good" cholesterol. LDL is the main carrier of cholesterol to the body and can deposit cholesterol in the arteries. A high level of LDL cholesterol (160 mg/dL and above) gives an increased risk of heart disease. That's why LDL cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol produce a lower risk of heart disease. HDL carries 25%-30% of the bodys cholesterol. Medical experts think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is removed from the body. Some believe HDL actually removes excess cholesterol from plaques and so slows their growth. HDL cholesterol is known as "good" cholesterol because a high HDL level seems to protect against heart attack. |
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