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What is
Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance
found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all
your body's cells. It's an important part of a healthy body,
it's used to form cell membranes, some hormones and is
needed for other functions. But a high level of cholesterol
in the blood hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor
for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack.
Types of
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is carried in the
blood by molecules called lipoproteins. There are several
different lipoproteins, but the three main types are:
Low density lipoprotein (LDL).
This is often known as bad cholesterol and is thought to
promote arterial disease. It carries cholesterol from the
liver to the cells and can cause a harmful build-up if there
is too much for the cells to use. Normally, the blood
contains about 70% of LDL, but the level will vary from
person to person
High density lipoprotein (HDL).
This is often referred to as good cholesterol, and is
thought to prevent arterial disease. It takes cholesterol
away from the cells and back to the liver, where it is
either broken down, or is passed from the body as a waste
product.
Triglycerides are another type of fatty substance present in
the blood. They are found in dairy products, meat and
cooking oils. Triglycerides are also produced by the liver.
Those who are overweight, have a diet that is high in fatty
or sugary foods, or drink a large amount of alcohol, have an
increased risk of having a high triglyceride level. What
Cause Cholesterol?
Cholesterol plays an important role in the functioning of
the entire body. It carries fat through the bloodstream to
help build cells and hormones in the body, and helps the
body to produce Vitamin D. However, if there is too much
cholesterol in the body, it can be a contributing cause for
many diseases.
Our bodies produce 80 percent of our total cholesterol, with
the remaining 20 percent coming from foods we consume. High
cholesterol occurs when we consume more cholesterol in our
diets than the body needs.
There are several factors that can lead to high cholesterol.
Eating a diet high in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol
is the most common cause, but for some people it could be an
inherited genetic condition. Being overweight or leading an
inactive lifestyle can also be factors. Medical conditions
including diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease can
also cause increased levels of cholesterol. |
