Cholesterol

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and has important natural functions. It is manufactured by the body but can also be taken in from food. It is waxy and fat-like in appearance.  Cholesterol is

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 oil-based and so does not mix with the blood, which is water-based. It is therefore carried around the body in the blood by lipoproteins. There are basically two types of cholesterol

1. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL - cholesterol carried by this type is known as 'bad' cholesterol). A high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries. (Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your body.)

2.High-density lipoprotein (HDL - cholesterol carried by this type is known as 'good' cholesterol). HDL cholesterol sometimes is called “good” cholesterol. This is because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver removes the cholesterol from your body.

While many are of the opinion that all cholesterol is bad, cholesterol actually has an important role to play in our bodily function as outlined below:

           1.  Contributes to the structure of cell wall
       2. Makes up digestive bile acids in the intestine
       3.Allows the body to produce Vitamin D
       4. Enables the body to make certain hormones.

High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, a cause of heart attacks, and

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reducing blood lipid levels lowers the cardiovascular risk. High levels of LDL lead to a build-up of cholesterol in the arteries, whereas HDL carries cholesterol to the liver for removal from the body. A build-up of cholesterol is part of the process that narrows arteries, called atherosclerosis, in which plaques form and cause restriction of blood flow.

Limiting intake of fat in the diet helps manage cholesterol levels. In particular, it is helpful to limit foods that contain:

Meat, cheese and egg yolks are sources of cholesterol.

   
     1. Cholesterol (from animal foods, such as egg yolks, meat and cheese)

2. Saturated fat (found in some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, and deep-fried and processed foods)
3. Trans fat (found in some fried and processed foods).

References

1. National Institute of Health :http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbc/

2.MNT: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9152.php