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Cholesterol: the silent killer
Posted Date: 20 May 2008 Resource Type: Articles/Knowledge Sharing Category: General
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Posted By: bharath sudar Member Level: Platinum
Rating:  Points: 1
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Cholesterol is a white-coloured, fatty substance, which forms an important of the outer lining of cells in animal bodies. This lipid is also found in the blood stream of human beings. The cholesterol in bloodstream is obtained mainly from dietary intake and production from liver. Through diet, cholesterol is obtained mainly from meat, fish and dairy products. Vegetarian meals do not contain cholesterol. When a meal is finished, cholesterol is absorbed into the blood stream through the intestines and is then packed up in a protein coat. The liver is the organ responsible for manufacturing cholesterol and also removing it from the blood stream.
Cholesterol is of two types, LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein). LDL deposits in bloodstream form a coating on the inner walls of arteries called cholesterol plaque, thus causing arterial blockage. This phenomenon is called “arteriosclerosis “. Hence the name “bad” cholesterol has been given to it.
HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) is called the “good” cholesterol, prevents “arteriosclerosis” by removing layers of “bad” cholesterol from artery walls and expelling those form body via the liver. Thus high level of HDL and low level of LDL is desired in order to maintain a healthy cholesterol level in the body.
Heredity and diet both have a prominent influence on a person's LDL, HDL and total cholesterol levels. For example, familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common inherited disorder whose patients have a reduced number or nonexistent LDL receptors on the surface of liver cells. People with this disorder also have a chance to develop arteriosclerosis and heart attacks during early adulthood and hence have to closely monitor their cardiac health..
Diets that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol raise the levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Fats are classified as saturated or unsaturated. Saturated fats are obtained mainly from meat and dairy products and can raise blood cholesterol levels quite high. Vegetable oils made from coconut, palm, and cocoa are also very high in saturated fats.
Lowering LDL cholesterol is currently the main focus in preventing arteriosclerosis and heart attacks. Reducing or stopping the formation of new cholesterol plaques on the artery walls and existing plaques, widening the arteries that have been narrowed, etc. Prevention of rupture of cholesterol plaques, which can initiate blood clot formation, is also very important. Prevention of blockage in coronary arteries also benefit the carotid and cerebral arteries (arteries that deliver blood to the brain).
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