Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that's stored in the fat (lipid) content of one's blood stream. It's actually important to have a certain amount of "good" cholesterol in one's system.
Cholesterol, and our other body fats, cannot dissolve in our blood. They must be transported by special carriers called lipoproteins. While there are numerous kinds (too many to cover here), the two that are most important are the high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and the low-density lipoproteins (LDL). There is a third kind, which is referred to as Lp(a), which can increase one's risk of heart attack and stroke. We'll cover that one here, as well.
HDL, LDL, and Lp(a)...What ARE These?
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are known as "good cholesterol". Most experts agree that HDL moves the cholesterol from the arteries to the liver, where it is broken down and leaves the body through the natural evacuation process. A higher HDL level seems to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Keep in mind, though, that a lower HDL level in one's body (-40 mg/dL in men, -50 mg d/L in women) is a warning signal of greater risk of one or both.
HDL seems to remove excess cholesterol from the plaques which build up in one's blood vessels, thereby inhibiting or slowing their growth. This is what makes it so important to the human body. Approximately 1/3 to 1/4 of the cholesterol in our bodies is carried by the HDL.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are the major transporters of cholesterol in our blood. One can experience a build up on the walls of the arteries which supply blood to our hearts and brains, if too much LDL enters the blood stream. When combined with other substances, it forms plaques. Plaques are hard, thick coatings that can clog one's arteries and decrease blood flow to the heart or the brain. Should the blood not move swiftly enough, there is danger of a blood clot forming near the plaques. When this occurs in the arteries leading to the heart, one is at greater risk of a heart attack. If it happens in the arteries which lead to one's brain, there is a higher risk of stroke.
If one's LDL level is 160 mg/dL or higher, this is an indication of a greater risk of heart disease. And if one has already been diagnosed with heart disease, it is strongly recommended that one maintain a level of less than 100 mg/dL.
A little known (by the general population) lipoprotein that can also cause a greater risk is the Lp(a) cholesterol lipoprotein. This is a generic variation of plasma (the "fluid" which carries the blood cells through one's blood stream) LDL. When one's Lp(a) level is higher, one can more quickly develop the plaque build up which physicians and specialists refer to as "arthersclerosis". Although there has been no conclusive evidence drawn as to WHY Lp(a) contributes to the increased risk of heart disease, it is commonly believed that the natural lesions which occur in our artery walls may contain substances that interact with it. This may lead to the build up of the fatty deposits.
From Where Do We Get Cholesterol?
The general consensus is that the human body is capable of producing the cholesterol that one needs to remain healthy. The body - most especially the liver - produces roughly 1,000 mg per day. Therefore the cholesterol consumed (by the average person eating the typical foods such as whole milk dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry, fish and seafood) is not really necessary to maintain the healthy level which one needs.
Two of the biggest culprits which contribute to the excessive consumption of cholesterol are transfats and saturated fats. But other fats consumed in foods can also raise blood cholesterol. While some of the excess fat is removed from the body by the liver, most heart specialists recommend that the average person limit himself/herself to less than 300 mg daily. And if one has been diagnosed with heart disease, that level should be less than 200 mg daily. If one has been diagnosed with extremely high cholesterol, even more drastic measures may be necessary to bring it under control.
How Do I Control My Intake?
A proven and accepted measure of control is to limit one's intake to no more that 6 ounces of lean meat/fish/poultry daily, and to consume only low fat/no fat dairy products. Effective substitutes for the protein necessary for good health can be found in beans and vegetables with high protein content. Two excellent sources for determining which foods have high protein content can be found at:
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/protein.htm and
http://www.vegparadise.com/protein.html#Charts
It is also recommended that one adopt a regular exercise regimen. Even a moderate amount of daily activity can help to increase the movement of blood through one's body. Physical activities such as leisurely walking, gardening, light yard work, housework and slow dancing are often prescribed as ideally suited for those who need a daily routine to help control the cholesterol levels.
A more intense regimen can include brisk walking, jogging, swimming and weight-lifting. Aerobic exercising is an excellent way to increase one's breathing and heart rates.
Side benefits of a regularly scheduled exercise program can include weight control, reducing one's risk of developing diabetes, and helping to keep one's blood pressure at a healthy level. Regular moderate to intense exercise can also help to strengthen one's heart and lungs.
To Smoke or Not to Smoke...
Most physicians and specialists recommend that no one smoke. And it has been proven that tobacco smoking increases the risk of heart disease. One's intake of oxygen, which is a necessary component for good vascular circulation and health, is drastically reduced. Plus, smoking is detrimental to HDL cholesterol levels and increases the possibility of blood clots, not to mention the risks of causing cancer in one's body.
The Effects of Alcohol on Cholesterol Levels
The moderate consumption of alcohol has shown, in some studies, to actually promote higher HDL cholesterol levels. With that said one must weigh the risks of alcoholism, obesity, stroke, high blood pressure, some forms of cancer, and sometimes depression. Exercise moderation (not more than 1-2 drinks daily for men, not more than 1 drink daily for women). And if you don't drink, don't start. There are better and safer alternatives for controlling one's cholesterol.
Synopsis:
- HDL is "good" cholesterol - LDL is "bad" cholesterol - An exercise regimen can help in lowering LDL and increasing HDL - Cholesterol can be controlled with a sensible diet, for many people - Smoking can increase the risks of lower HDL levels and the possibility of blood clots
Consult your physician or health care provider before embarking on any exercise regimen, or the consumption of alcohol, as a method to control one's cholesterol. He or she can direct you to what steps you need to take in order to ensure the best results for your efforts.
Have an annual screening (usually a blood drawing) to determine your cholesterol levels. Be sure to discuss family history and other issues which your doctor may want to know before deciding whether or not you should be checked for the Lp(a) lipoproteins. He or she can better determine your risks, the diagnosis, and possible treatment (which may include prescription medication) when fully informed.
INTRODUCTION: Cholesterol is a lipid (A greasy organic compound that cannot be dissolved in water.) found in the cell membranes of all tissues, and is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. It is also considered a sterol (a combination steroid and alcohol) and is more abundant in tissues which either synthesize more of it or have more abundant densely-packed membranes, for example, the liver, spinal cord and brain and is insoluble in blood, but is transported in the circulatory system bound to one of the varieties of lipoproteins. Cholesterol is required in the membranes of mammalian cells for normal cell function, and is either synthesized or derived from the diet, in which case it is delivered by the bloodstream in low-density lipoproteins.
It is minimally soluble in water; it cannot dissolve and travel in the water-based bloodstream. It is primarily found in animal fats: all food containing animal fats contains cholesterol; food not containing animal fats either contains none or negligible amounts. It's a waxy, fat-like substance that can build up on the walls of your arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body) and plays essential roles in the formation of cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D.
DISEASE: Large amounts of low density particles (LDL) are strongly associated with the presence of arterial disease within the arteries. By contrast, having small amounts of large particles (HDL) has been independently associated with arterial disease progression within the arteries. In other words too much LDL or too little HDL is associated with arterial disease. This disease process can develop into myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
It is recommended that you have your cholesterol levels tested more frequently than 5 years if a person: has total levels of 200 mg/dL or more, is a man over age 45 or a woman over age 50, has HDL (good) cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL, or other risk factors for heart disease and stroke. A campaign is under way to teach women that heart disease isn't just for men.
It's estimated that 70-million americans have at least one form of heart disease. New results from the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial showed that eating a low-fat diet for 8 years DID NOT prevent heart disease, breast cancer, or colon cancer, and didn't do much for weight loss, either.
What is becoming clearer and clearer is that bad fats, meaning saturated and trans fats, increase the risk for certain diseases while good fats, meaning mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats, decrease the chance. In a study of over 80,000 female nurses, Harvard researchers actually found that raising cholesterol intake by 200 mg for every 1000 calories in the diet (about an egg a day) DID NOT appreciably elevate the risk for heart disease. Recent research by Harvard investigators has illustrated that moderate egg consumption--up to one a day--DOES NOT raise heart disease risk in healthy individuals. People with diabetes, though, should probably limit themselves to no more than 2 or 3 eggs a week, as the Nurse's Health Study found that for such persons, an egg a day might increase the risk for heart disease.
LEVELS: According to the lipid hypothesis, abnormally high cholesterol levels (AKA hypercholesterolemia) and abnormal proportions of LDL and HDL are associated with cardiovascular disease by promoting atheroma development in arteries (atherosclerosis). Since high LDL contributes to this process, it is termed "bad cholesterol", while high levels of HDL ("good cholesterol") offer a degree of protection against heart disease. Abnormally low levels are termed hypocholesterolemia. As has been said, high levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of heart disease and your levels tend to rise as you get older. In the 1960s and 70s, scientists established a link between high blood levels and heart disease.
Some forms of fat are clearly good for cholesterol levels and others are clearly bad for them. While it is well known that elevated blood levels are associated with an elevated risk for heart disease, scientific studies have shown that there is only a weak relationship between the amount of cholesterol a person "eats" and their blood cholesterol levels or chance for heart disease.
For some people with elevated levels, reducing the quantity in the diet has a small but helpful impact on blood cholesterol levels. While it's true that egg yolks have a lot of cholesterol--and, therefore may slightly affect blood levels--eggs also contain nutrients that may help reduce the risk for heart disease, including protein, vitamins B12 and D, riboflavin, and folate. Saturated fats increase total blood levels more than dietary cholesterol because they tend to boost both good HDL and bad LDL. Trans fats are even worse than saturated fats because they increase bad LDL and decrease good HDL.
In studies in which poly-unsaturated and mono-unsaturated fats were eaten in place of carbohydrates, these good fats decreased LDL levels and increased HDL levels. Logically, most of the influence that fat intake has on heart disease is due to its effect on blood cholesterol levels. In other words, low-fat diets appear to offer no apparent advantages over diets with fat levels close to the national average.
CONCLUSION: Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body and is also found in some of the foods you eat. It is recommended by the American Heart Association to test cholesterol levels every 5 years for people aged 20 years or older. There are usually no signs or symptoms that you have high blood cholesterol, but it can be detected with a blood test. You are likely to have high levels if members of your family have it, if you are overweight or if you eat a lot of fatty foods. You can lower your cholesterol by exercising more and eating more fruits and vegetables. You also may need to take medicine to lower it.
Both Michael Russell & Richard H Ealom are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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Richard H Ealom has sinced written about articles on various topics from Types of Cancer, Woman Menopause and Bad Breath. About The Author: Richard H. Ealom is an ezinearticles.com writer and has written many articles on Diseases,Causes,Cures. To learn more about Lowering Cholesterol Levels visit. Richard H Ealom's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.