Cholesterol and How To Improve It

Cholesterol. A word that can seem ominous. What is it? Why is it a threat to health? More importantly, how can an individual help to adjust cholesterol to a healthier level?

First of all, let us define cholesterol. Cholesterol is a combination of a steroid and an alcohol also known as a sterol. Cholesterol is also a fat known as a lipid. Most cholesterol is produced by the liver (about 1,000 mg a day). The human body produces all the cholesterol that is needed by the body, so eating cholesterol in foods is not necessary for health. The usual culprit in high cholesterol levels is saturated fatty acids. This saturated fat seems to provoke the liver into producing too much cholesterol. Trans fats can have a similar effect. Cholesterol in animal foods may also have an effect on cholesterol levels. Plant foods do not contain cholesterol.

Cholesterol as a fat cannot dissolve in blood. Therefore, cholesterol needs another substance to move it around the body. This is where lipoproteins come in. Lipoproteins are a number of special carriers in the blood. There are several varieties of lipoprotein, but the ones that concern us here are High Density Lipoprotein and Low Density Lipoprotein.

The major carrier of cholesterol in the blood is low density lipoprotein (LDL). The problem is that too much LDL cholesterol can cause build-ups of this cholesterol along the arteries. LDL cholesterol combines with other substances to form a deposit known as plaque that can clog arteries. This condition is what is called arteriosclerosis. This can lead to heart attacks or strokes when a blood clot becomes caught in the narrowed arteries, due to plaque build-ups. When a blood clot becomes caught in a major artery, the blood flow to the heart or brain can be blocked. This results in a heart attack or stroke.

High density lipoproteins (HDL) are thought to move cholesterol back to the liver from the arteries where it is excreted. HDL carries about one forth to one third of the cholesterol in the blood. Obviously, the more HDL you have in your blood in comparison to LDL, the better it is in terms of getting cholesterol out of the body.

HDL can be raised by exercise in much the same way that LDL can be lowered, in most cases, by lowering fat intake. The good thing about exercise is that it can influence body weight, blood pressure and the risk of diabetes. All these factors can lessen the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Diet can also influence the levels of cholesterol in the blood. Controlling or lowering saturated or trans fat levels in the diet can lower LDL levels. A higher intake of fiber in the form of fruits and vegetables or various brans can also help the body deal with fats and cholesterol. Also, consider the healthful effects of good fats such as monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and omega-3 fats.

It is important to put cholesterol in perspective. Cholesterol is essential to the functioning of the human body. Without it our cells could not renew themselves. The problem starts when our cholesterol levels, particularly LDL levels, get too high. Or in the case of HDL too low. Our goal should be to try to develop and maintain a healthy balance in our cholesterol levels. This will result in a lower risk of heart attack or stroke and hopefully a longer healthier life.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to cholesterol.guide-for-you.com Cholesterol