What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat-like waxy substance found naturally in each cell of our body, as well as in our blood. Most of the cholesterol found in our body is produced by the liver, while the remaining is provided through foods such as poultry, meat, and dairy.
Cholesterol performs several vital functions in our body, such as:
- it helps the body build new cells
- it aids in the synthesis of sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
- it aids in the production of bile acids
- it helps in the synthesis of Vitamin D
How Does Cholesterol Affect The Heart? |
What is Cholesterol?
The bad thing about cholesterol is that it cannot be converted into energy. If the amount of cholesterol in your blood exceeds the amount the body actually needs, it will start to accumulate in the coronary arteries of the heart, carotid arteries of the brain, and arteries that supply blood to the legs. Plaque buildup in the arteries may create blockages and can prevent fresh oxygenated blood from reaching the heart, brain, and other body organs. If left unattended, high cholesterol levels in the blood can lead to heart attack, stroke, and even heart failure in the long run.
Difference between Good and Bad Cholesterol |
What is Cholesterol?
In order to move cholesterol from one place to another, the body attaches them to proteins called lipoproteins (compounds made of fats and proteins). The three main lipoproteins found in our body are:
- HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is regarded as the “good” cholesterol since it acts to take the bad cholesterol out of the blood, thus preventing it from building up in the arteries.
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is categorised as the “bad” cholesterol since it can build up in the blood vessels (arteries) and block them, forming a plaque that reduces blood flow and can lead to various cardiovascular diseases.
VLDL or Very Low-Density Lipoprotein
VLDL or very low-density lipoprotein is another type of “bad” cholesterol produced in the liver and contains a high amount of triglycerides.
How to Lower Cholesterol Levels?
A variety of factors such as your diet, age, gender, weight, level of physical activity, medical condition, and medications can influence your LDL, HDL, and VLCL levels. The good news is that with some lifestyle changes and a healthy diet, you can prevent high LDL cholesterol and keep healthy HDL cholesterol. Here is what you can do to lower your cholesterol levels:
- get more fiber in your diet
- cut back on animal fats
- avoid full-fat dairy products
- include more vegetables in your diet
- maintain a healthy weight
- do not smoke or drink alcohol in excess
- exercise regularly
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WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL?