Friday, April 5, 2013

If Cholesterol is Bad, Why Do We Have It?

High cholesterol is one of the most common medical problems in American it is also one of the easiest to treat. Cholesterol is a vital part of the cell structure in blood and plasma of all animals. it is a fatty substance that aids in the building membranes for the body's cells, allowing the cells to be soft and malleable. Cholesterol is slightly denser and not able to dissolve in the blood stream, thus it is carried by lipoproteins throughout the blood stream. In simplest terms there are several types of cholesterol / lipoproteins combination's based on the density of cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The most common of these combination's are LDL and HDL.

To break down the technical jargon into something the "average" person can understand, LDL in high levels is bad and it is know as "bad cholesterol." Large amounts of LDL promote atheroma (blockage that forms in the arteries), which impedes blood flow to the heart and can lead to stroke, heart attacks and vascular disease. On the other hand HDL in high levels is good, known as "good cholesterol." The HDL travels trough the blood stream and collects LDL as it builds up on the walls of arteries, reducing blockage but this isn't enough to help some people who have a preexisting condition of high cholesterol.

Taking charge of your bad habits will have a significant impact on controlling your cholesterol. All foods containing animal fat contain cholesterol at different levels. It is not present in plants, unless it was added in processing. Other risk factors are obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking. Exercising on a regular basis in conjunction with dieting helps some people control their LDL and HDL levels. Lifestyle changes make sense for people with high cholesterol levels.

Some people also have a genetic disposition for high LDL and Low HDL cholesterol, it runs in their families and changes in their way of living can't always produce the necessary results as quick as needed, a physician my prescribe medication to control your cholesterol levels, as this is the quickest way to lower and bring your cholesterol under control.

Cholesterol is needed for your body to make healthy cells but to much is a bad thing. Taking the time for exercise, quitting smoking, and eating responsibility will help bring your cholesterol under control. I you feel that you need a more aggressive approach please consult a doctor. For more information about HDL and LDL cholesterol, please visit vasacor.com vasacor.com








A look at the basic difference between HDL and LDL cholesterol in the body.
cholesterol-reduction.org cholesterol-reduction.org

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