When one hears cholesterol, what's the first thought that comes to mind? Most people would probably think of all the tasty dishes they would like to eat but can't - prawns, fries, fried chicken, cheese, oysters, fish, grilled meat, -- the works. Yummy, right? After all, one of the best joys in life is eating well. But some people won't, and some people can't - all for the fear of having too much cholesterol in their blood.
The fact is, cholesterol is not really a bad thing. You read that right -- our body needs it. Cholesterol is a type of fat present in our blood, and it is either produced in the body by the liver or derived from the food we eat. Cholesterol plays a big role in the production and metabolism of most hormones (like Cortisol, Estrogen and Progesterone), enzymes (such as bile) and vitamins (Vitamin D, for example) that the body needs. Cholesterol is also the main building block used in the structure of our cell membranes.
Most people would think that it is difficult to achieve a healthy level of cholesterol in the blood, and that could be the case to some who do not understand what cholesterol really is and how it works in the body.
Since cholesterol is needed by the cells in most parts of our body, it has to be distributed from the liver, the organ responsible for its production and elimination. Cholesterol is transported from the liver and back by lipoproteins, a combination of fats (also referred to as lipids) and proteins, along with produced vitamins and other enzymes needed by the body.
Lipoproteins that transport from the liver is called low density lipoproteins (LDL), also referred to as "bad cholesterol". It is named "low density" because its composition are less dense compared to other kinds of cholesterol particles, and as such, LDL particles crowd together and become compact, thus the tendency to deposit in the walls of the blood vessels. This build up can start from childhood and can go unnoticed over the years, which slowly blocks the blood vessels. The higher the LDL level, means more build up over time, which can increase the risk for heart problems.
Lipoproteins that transport cholesterol from the cells back to the liver are called high density lipoproteins (HDL). As it travels, it "sweeps" the bad cholesterol from the bloodstream and transports it back to the liver where it can be recycled or excreted. By doing so, HDL reduces the risk for heart diseases, making it the "good cholesterol."
Too much LDL, and less HDL means trouble for the heart, while less LDL and more HDL means that the heart is in good shape.
A third type of lipoprotein called triglycerides is also present in our body, and this neither transports the fat or cholesterol to and from the liver. The calories we eat that are not immediately consumed by our body are made into energy sources, converted and then stored as fat cells. The triglycerides from these fat cells are released and used as energy when there is no immediate food source.
Lastly, it is a good health habit to have your cholesterol levels checked regularly. This way, you know whether your eating habits are well within acceptable to your body or if your body is telling you to change. When you know your cholesterol numbers, a good cholesterol chart will tell you what your risk level is. Visit your doctor regularly and lead a healthy life.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zaiden_Xavier
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