What Is Cholesterol?
By now we have all heard that cholesterol is bad, and we need to keep our levels of this substance in the lowest possible range. But what is cholesterol, where does it come from, and what can we do about it?
Cholesterol is made in the liver and is a thick, fat-like, waxy substance. This substance is also found in certain types of food, such as dairy products, eggs, and meat products. Cholesterol is not completely bad. The body does need a certain level to be able to function efficiently. Bodily tissues, cells, and membranes all use cholesterol to produce acids to aid digestion, hormones, and vitamin D. That being said, it is important to note that the body needs and uses only a small amount of cholesterol. The excess amounts consumed end up being stored in the body, typically in the arteries, and can lead to health problems, such as coronary heart disease.
There are four main types of cholesterol: LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins), HDL (High Density Lipoproteins), Triglycerides, and VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoproteins). LDL, also known as “bad cholesterol”, is the type of cholesterol that tends to build up as plaque on artery walls. The higher this level is in the blood, the higher the risk of heart disease. HDL, also known as “good cholesterol”, is the type of cholesterol that is utilized by the body to help get rid of bad cholesterol in the blood.
This level should be high; if this level is low, your chances of developing heart disease increase. Triglycerides are another form of fat, and are carried in the blood by VLDL. The fat that is stored in the body from excess calories consumed, or calories from sugar or alcohol, are converted into triglycerides. VLDL is quite similar to LDL and is mostly all fat and little protein.
There are a many factors that can affect an individual’s cholesterol levels. The first, and often most difficult to deal with is hereditary. Genes play a huge role in how much cholesterol your body expels and produces. High cholesterol usually runs in families. Diet is the next major contributor to cholesterol level. Diets that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol raise blood levels a great deal. Reducing the amount of fat consumed can help to lower overall cholesterol.
Exercise can also help to reduce cholesterol levels; regular activity can lower LDL, and raise HDL. Just thirty minutes of activity per day can make a significant difference in your total score. Age, as well as gender, can contribute to high cholesterol. As people age, cholesterol tends to increase. After menopause, women’s LDL levels tend to rise and are often comparably higher than those of men in the same age range.
Medical conditions, such as diabetes, can also raise cholesterol levels. Finally, weight is an extremely factor when managing cholesterol. Those who are overweight experience high LDL levels, and a much greater risk for heart disease. Losing weight increases HDL levels, and lowers LDL levels in addition to lowering overall total blood cholesterol levels.
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