Cholesterol Facts
Cholesterol
is a fat-like substance known as a lipid which travels through the body
by attaching to a protein forming lipoproteins. Approximately 75% of
your total cholesterol is produced by the body itself, primarily the
liver. The balance comes from foods we eat. While plant foods may
contain high levels of saturated fat that impact our body's cholesterol
levels, only animal products contain actual cholesterol.
The affects cholesterol have within our bodies
are both good and bad. On the positive side, it plays an important role
in producing cell membranes and some hormones as well as the formation
of bile acids for digestion. However, too much of it can lead to plaque
buildup within the arteries thus causing a higher risk for developing
heart disease or causing a stroke.
Cholesterol Types
Your body's cholesterol consists of two main forms - LDL (bad cholesterol)
and HDL (good cholesterol).
LDL stands
for low-density lipoprotein meaning it contains mostly fat and a small
amount of protein. It is considered the "bad" cholesterol because it
transports fatty lipids from the liver to other parts of the body. If
your LDL level is high, these fats may be deposited within artery walls
causing plaque buildup known as atherosclerosis and is a serious factor
in the development of heart disease and stroke.
HDL stands
for high-density lipoprotein meaning it contains a much larger portion
of protein than LDL. It is considered the "good" cholesterol because it
actually lessens plaque buildup by returning fat lipids to the liver
for disposal.
Triglycerides are
chains of high-energy fatty acids that provide much of the fuel needed
for cellular function. Like cholesterol, they are created by the body
and consumed in food products. Excess calories are converted into
triglycerides and stored in fat cells creating the most common type of
fat found in the body. Triglycerides are actually used as a fuel source
by the liver in the making of cholesterol. Thus, chances are people
with elevated triglyceride levels also have high cholesterol.
A
"Lipid Test" of your blood should provide both your cholesterol (HDL
& LDL) and triglyceride levels. Typically, a total cholesterol
level below 200 mg/dl is considered optimal. However, the ratio of LDL
to HDL is also a determining factor.
A
person with a total cholesterol of 210 (LDL = 130 - HDL = 80) could be
considered better than someone with a total cholesterol of 180 (LDL =
130 - HDL = 50) since they both have equal LDL risk factors but the
person with the 210 total cholesterol has substantially more protective
HDL. Obviously, consult with your doctor for test interpretation.
Click on
Good Fat / Bad Fat
for
additional information on how different fats in our diets
can both hurt or help our cholesterol levels.
Click
on
Fiber
for additional information on how fiber
can
lower cholesterol.
Click on
Fitness
for
additional information on how
physical activity can help increase beneficial HDL
while lowering harmful
LDL.
