vendredi 27 juillet 2012

Cholesterol and how to Lower it

By Steve Campbell


Cholesterol is a Jackal and Hyde compound that we can best do without but sadly our bodies needs it to sustain various processes, e.g. cell membranes. The 'good' Jackal cholesterol helps the body produces sex and adrenal hormones and vitamin D. While the 'bad' Hyde cholesterol plays a different role completely in helping in the obstruction of arteries and thus contributing to heart disease and stroke.

So, what is Cholesterol? Well, it is known as a steroid alcohol sterol produced by the liver and is a solid compound found in our blood and cells. It is a waxy, fatlike substance and is also known as a lipid. This means that it can not dissolve in water.

Cholesterol has a awful reputation in our body's blood stream for one sort of disorder, the reduction of arterial wall diameters through deposits, known as plaques that eventually restrict the flow of blood. This disorder is known as atherosclerosis. If atherosclerosis has occurred clotting of the blood takes place leading to a heart attack or stroke.

The body unsurprisingly synthesizes cholesterol in the liver for purposes as mentioned earlier, so it does not help if we allow supplementary cholesterol into our blood stream from our dietary behaviour. This can happen from a cholesterol-rich diet of dairy products and meats. These types of food could lead to unusually high levels of cholesterol and you are likely to develop atherosclerosis as a consequence.

Because cholesterol is a lipid and will not dissolve in water it has to be carried through our blood stream as part of a complex protein module. The following list descriptions the three forms of cholesterol carriers.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL): Retards atherosclerosis Low-density lipoproteins (LDL): Promotes atherosclerosis Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL): Promotes atherosclerosis

Therefore any individual who has abnormally high levels of LDL and VLDL cholesterol can lessen their risk of developing atherosclerosis and subsequent risks to heart attacks and stroke by having a lower cholesterol level. This can be done by following a low in cholesterol and saturated fat diet and getting plenty of exercise. Although drug therapy can also inhibit cholesterol synthesis it may well come at a high price, depending on side effects and dependency.

Finally, cholesterol has an altogether interesting sideline in providing a protective lubricant for hair and skin by being secreted through our skin oil glands. In fact, raw sheep's wool which is mostly composed of cholesterol esters has a variety of commercially uses in lubricants, leather preservatives, ointments, and cosmetics




About the Author:



Aucun commentaire:

Enregistrer un commentaire