What Is Cholesterol?

A waxy substance that is also fat like called cholesterol is made in the liver and can be found in foods like meat, dairy products, and whole milk. The human body needs some cholesterol to carry out normal functions. Bile acids, hormones and cell walls all have cholesterol as a component. If the body has too much cholesterol it may lead to health problems such as coronary heart disease. An actual protein is attached to cholesterol. This cholesterol protein is called a lipoprotein. These lipoproteins are either high density or lower density depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.

Below Are The Different Types Of Cholesterol

-Triglycerides are a type of fat that is carried in the blood by very low-density lipoproteins. Sugar and/or alcohol can be converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells throughout the body.

-Low-density lipoproteins (LDL). LDL also called bad cholesterol can cause a buildup of plaque on the walls of arteries. The more LDL levels there are in the blood, the greater the risk for heart disease. Plaque is when too much cholesterol is present and may form in the body's arteries thereby narrowing the space for blood to flow to the heart. Over a period of time this buildup can potentially cause arteriosclerosis, which can lead to heart disease.

-High-density lipoproteins (HDL). HDL also called the good cholesterol helps the body get rid of bad cholesterol in the blood. .

-Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are similar to LDL cholesterol in that it contains mostly fat and not much protein. Symptoms Of Cholesterol

There are rarely if any symptoms of high cholesterol, other than a check up by the doctor or succumbing to all illness that occurred from the high cholesterol levels. Xanthomas can form halo like circles around the eyeball itself in some of those who have high cholesterol.

-Lower Cholesterol Naturally-

There are plant sterols that through research have been shown to lower cholesterol naturally. These plant sterols are found in the organic substance soy. These sterols are phytosterols are is small quantities in soy. As a result, it would take a person to eat very large portions of soy to get the amount adequate to reduce cholesterol level. After these plant sterols are swallowed our body's absorb them. In contrast, if you've ingested animal fats, the body eliminates the cholesterol from these fats. Our bodies will accept then absorb the plant sterols and at the same time eliminate the LDL cholesterol from the body. If we could only extract these plant sterols in larger quantities for consumption, we could possibly lower our LDL cholesterol levels.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided herein should not be construed as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other prescribed health-care advice or instruction. The information is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine or any other health-care profession and does not enter into a health-care practioner/ patient relationship with its readers.