When you hear the word cholesterol, what is your immediate reaction, or what comes first in your mind? Many people worry when they hear the word cholesterol. They perceive it as something that is always bad for the health. It is always associated with heart problems like hypertension and heart attack. But what cholesterol really is what it does to our body and health.
Cholesterol Defined
Cholesterol is a kind of fat or lipid found in the bloodstream and almost all parts of the body. It is a soft waxy substance in the body’s cells. Cholesterol is very useful because it is a component in forming cell membranes, some hormones. It is also needed for other body functions. Many of this substance is produced naturally inside of our bodies and some are from the food that we eat.
Cholesterol is not really a dangerous substance but it is actually one of those substances that our body needs to keep us healthy. However, it should be understood that there are two kinds of which, the good and bad cholesterol.
The Good and Bad
Since cholesterol is a kind of fat, it can not be directly dissolved in the blood. This substance is carried into and from the cell by another substance called lipoproteins. High-density lipoproteins or HDL is the good ones. This kind protects the body from heart diseases because the cholesterol is carried away from the arteries where fats could build up. It is also believed to remove other cholesterol from the arteries. This kind of cholesterol, however, should be maintained and monitored, because low level of this can also increase the risk of heart problems.
Bad cholesterol is known as the low-density lipoproteins or LDL. This kind highly contributes to the build up of plaque in the inner walls of the arteries. High levels of both compounds in the blood causes major risk of coronary diseases that could lead to heart attack.
Sources of Cholesterol
Though LDL is primarily produced in the body, the cholesterol from our food intake still contributes a lot to the total cholesterol count. Seventy five percent of our body cholesterol is produced inside and the remaining 25 percent comes from food. Almost all food that we take in everyday contains cholesterol and many of these foods contain large amounts.
Topmost of the list of food that contains large amounts of cholesterol is a food familiar to all and could be bought in almost all fast food chains and restaurants. Chicken and egg contains the highest count. These two are followed by livers, sea foods and Thanksgiving Day favorite turkey.
Unknowingly, our body cholesterol is also affected by hereditary means. There are some genes inherited from our parents or even grandparents that cause the cholesterol in our body to be too much produced.
Cholesterol Levels
Everyone should monitor cholesterol count because too much or too low cholesterol in the body bring a lot of sickness. The cholesterol count includes both the good and bad, both those produced inside the body and those that are acquired from food intake.
Cholesterol counts are determined through a blood test. Each person has a unique physicality that is why an individual should consult a doctor to know the cholesterol count that should be maintained. It is recommended especially people ages 20 and older to have lipoprotein fasting and test at least once in every five years. Consult a doctor for necessary medical routine before your cholesterol would be tested. Usually, doctors ask their patients to go on 10 to 12 hour fasting, meaning no food or pills taken. This determines the exact amount of good and bad cholesterol present in your blood and cells.
There are a lot of misconceptions about cholesterol especially with the food in take that make self-diagnosing patients worry about their health. As such, the best option is consultation to experts and living a healthy lifestyle.
Related Articles
Put En End to the Cholesterol and the Kilos in Excess Without Medecine P1
By: Patrick Beaufay | 26/09/2007 | Health
How to reduce your cholesterol level in a good way. Certain foods are good for a diet but a few of these foods are very bad for your cholesterol. What sort of modes of cooking you have to privilege. These total article is divides in 10 parts.
Put an End to your Cholesterol and your Kilos in Excess Without Medication (unit 2)
By: Patrick Beaufay | 03/10/2007 | Health
In what way to reduce your cholesterol level in a good way. Certain foods are exact for a cure but a few of these foods are very deficient for your cholesterol. What kind of modes of cuisine you have to privilege. These 2nd section will talk about fish, sea food and meat with fat matter.
Put an End to the Cholesterol and the Kilos in Surplus Without Medicine (unit Iii)
By: Patrick Beaufay | 12/10/2007 | Health
In what way to slow down your level of bad cholesterol (cholesterol LDL) and triglycerides and how to higher your level of good cholesterol (cholesterol HDL) in the right manner. Certain nutritions are good for a diet but a bit of these nutritions are very bad for your cholesterol and certain process of cooking must be banished. This third unit will donate you info in reference to:Is the wine your adversary?, what kind of way of cooking you must favor.
Put a Stop to the Cholesterol and the Kilos in Excess Without Cure (part Vii)!
By: Patrick Beaufay | 18/10/2007 | Health
In this 7th article, I here give to you: Breakfast and One week of menus (the recipes will follow in my next articles)
Correct Peace of Information About the the Hdl Cholesterol (the Right One) and the Ldl Cholesterol (the Wrong One)
By: Patrick Beaufay | 25/10/2007 | Health
Info this time about the cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, diet, lipoprotein, weight excess, exercise, food and saturated fats ...
Put an End to the Cholesterol and the Kilos in Excess Without Medicine (part Ii)
By: Patrick Beaufay | 13/09/2007 | Fitness
How to reduce your cholesterol level in a good way. Certain foods are good for a diet but a few of these foods are very bad for your cholesterol. In this 2nd part you will get info about fish, sea food and meat related to fat material.
How a High Fiber Diet Can Save your Life
By: Douglas Alp | 15/12/2006 | Health
Although many people think they are eating a good healthy diet, many do not realize the importance of fiber in their diets. Learn what fiber is and how important it is to your overall health and how just by adding a few foods to your diet you can decrease the possibility of serious health problem now and in the future.
Want to Lower your Cholesterol - Naturally?
By: John Vanse | 29/09/2007 | Diseases and Conditions
You can take control of your cholesterol, lower it and maintain it at a healthy level - naturally.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
More from Dr John Anne
Home Remedies for Asthma to Prevent Asthma Attack
By: Dr John Anne | 15/02/2008 | Alternative Medicine
When it comes to asthma home remedies be careful about which ones you choose.If you are looking for natural asthma home remedies on the net,be careful and study each one before attempting them yourself, look for testimonials from other asthmatics that have similar symptoms to what you may be experiencing.
Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids – Fast Relief at Home
By: Dr John Anne | 15/02/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Encyclopedias reference the condition of hemorrhoids, in a summarization, as either or a combination of inflammation, swelling or varicosities of the veins within the rectal areas of the anus.
Home Remedies for Sinus Infections - Relief to Breath
By: Dr John Anne | 15/02/2008 | Alternative Medicine
The constant pressure. The agonizing pain. Continually stuffed nasal passages. An almost chronic condition. It's a sinus infection. If there were only home remedies for sinus infections.
Home Remedies for Cold Sores – Reduce Cold Sores Appearance
By: Dr John Anne | 14/02/2008 | Alternative Medicine
If you ever have had a cold sore, you know how embarrassing it can be. Most people try to cover it up with cosmetics or hide behind a scarf or coat collar, but you do not have to be embarrassed by a simple little cold sore, because they are so easy to eliminate.
Home Remedies for Head Louse – Get Rid of Head Lice
By: Dr John Anne | 14/02/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Head louse is a type of louse which lives and feeds in the hair of humans. There are several different kinds of lice, but head louse can be by far the most irritating. Head louse is common among children because it can be so easily spread, usually by sharing hair brushes with a person infested with lice.
Home Remedies for Toothache – Fast Tooth Pain Relief
By: Dr John Anne | 14/02/2008 | Nutrition
Ache of the tooth, more commonly known as a toothache, is clinically labeled either odontalgia or odontalgy. The intense discomfort associated with such affected tooth, is in the aching pain that involves the tooth or areas around it.
Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus
By: Dr John Anne | 14/02/2008 | Alternative Medicine
The most common source of infection related to the toenail is due to fungus, which is clinically ranked in up to twenty percent of all disorders concerning toenails.
Vitamin B Functions, Sources and Deficiencies
By: Dr John Anne | 14/02/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
Vitamin B refers to a group of 8 vitamins. They are vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), vitamin B7 (Biotin), vitamin B8 (myo-inositol), vitamin B9 (Folic acid) and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
Health 
| Posted: 15-12-2007 | Comments: 
