What Is Cholesterol? - Everything You Ever Wanted To Know

What Is Cholesterol?

Here is everything you ever wanted to know about cholesterol but didn't know where to ask.

What Is Cholesterol?

It's a waxy substance that is made by the liver and derived from an animal food diet (meat, eggs, dairy products), and transported in the blood. Most of the cholesterol in a body is created by the liver and it is called blood cholesterol. The cholesterol that is derived from animal foods is called dietary cholesterol.

What Are Its Components?

The following are considered as components of cholesterol: (i) High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) which is called good cholesterol (ii) Low Density Lipoprotein, termed as the "bad" cholesterol (LDL) (iii) Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL), also classified as "bad" and (iv) Triglycerides, which too are a form of lipoproteins whose elevated levels are considered bad.

Explain HDL, LDL, VLDL and Triglycerides

Modern research says that the LDLs are not as bad as they are said to be. They are present in the body for a purpose and they stick to the arteries in their quest to help them (the arteries). HDL cleans up the LDLs after they are done with their job (of helping repair the arteries). Elevated LDLs in the body are a symptom and the body must be investigated to figure out what is wrong. Triglycerides are types of fats found in blood - they can be derived from food or synthesized by the body.

Does The Body Need Cholesterol?

Absolutely. Cholesterol is required to produce hormones, Vitamin D and the acids that help in the digestion of fat. However, the body needs only a certain amount of cholesterol. When it exceeds the amount required, it has the potential to cause heart disease.

How Does Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease?

When cholesterol in the body exceeds the amount required, it (the LDL/VLDL) builds up on artery walls slowing down the blood flow. With time, the build-up causes arteries to harden and the blood flow gets seriously slow. Now the blood carries oxygen to the heart and when blocked, the heart does not get the right quantity of what it needs, it leads to chest pains, or angina. When blood flow is completely blocked, it can lead to a heart attack.

Do Cholesterol Issues Show Any Symptoms?

No. There are no symptoms associated with cholesterol. You must get your cholesterol levels checked by means of a blood test (lipoprotein profile).

Do High Levels of Cholesterol Matter?

Yes, they do. High levels of cholesterol have the capability to cause coronary artery disease, heart attack, and strokes. There is evidence that elevated cholesterol levels can boost the risk of Alzheimer's. So, it is advisable to keep tabs on your cholesterol levels and treat elevated levels with diet, exercise and if required, drugs.

What Are The Cholesterol Levels To Watch?

Cholesterol can impact all adults and it is recommended that all adults over the age of 20 get their cholesterol levels once in every 5 years. However, with hectic lifestyles and so much processed food around, many physicians recommend a cholesterol measurement once in 2 years.
The total desirable cholesterol level is pegged up to 200 mg/dl*; anything between 200 and 239 mg/dl is borderline high, while 240 and above mg/dl is considered high.
LDL is considered optimal at below 100 mg/dl; 100 to 129 mg/dl is near optimal; 130 to 159 mg/dl is borderline high; 160 to 189 mg/dl is high and over 190 mg/dl is very high.
HDL at less than 40 mg/dl is considered very low and is considered a risk factor because HDL protects against heart disease. 40 to 60 mg/dl is optimal, while levels over 60 mg/dl help lower risk of heart disease.
Triglycerides between 150 and 199 mg/dl are considered borderline high, levels above 200 mg/dl need treatment.
(*mg/dl = milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood)

What Are The Factors That Affect Cholesterol Levels?

There are many factors that impact cholesterol levels - some are within your control and some are out of it.
First, here are the factors that are in your control:
Dietary intake: Saturated fats in your food increase cholesterol levels. Excess consumption of animal foods also enhances cholesterol levels.

Weight: Overweight folks have elevated cholesterol levels. The trick is to lower weight and increase HDL.

Exercise: A sedentary lifestyle can increase cholesterol levels. Regular exercise increases HDL and lowers LDL and Triglycerides. Doctors recommend 30 minutes of exercise on most days in a week. Exercise also helps increase the metabolic rate which in turn helps burn body fats at a faster pace.

Smoking: There is evidence that giving up smoking makes your good cholesterol (HDL) go up by as much as 10%. It may be tough to kick the smoking habit, but high cholesterol levels can motivate the patient to do so.
Factors that impact cholesterol levels, which are not in your control, are:
Age: as your ages progresses, so do your cholesterol levels.

Gender: Post-menopause, women's cholesterol (LDL) levels rise.

Genes: If high blood cholesterol runs in the family, it may pass on to you as well.

How is high cholesterol treated?

Cholesterol-lowering treatment focuses on bringing the LDL levels down. Drugs include statins, Cholesterol absorption inhibitors, and bile-acid resins. Cholesterol drugs work best when the patient gets careful with his diet, sheds some pounds (if overweight), and follows a regular exercise program. Getting careful of his diet involves staying away from saturated fats and sticking to a healthy diet.

Do supplements help with cholesterol levels?

Yes, there is evidence to that effect. Supplements like Flax Seed Oil, Fish Oil and Plant Sterols are known to raise HDL levels. The Niacin drug, which is a B-complex vitamin, is also known to be a good cholesterol raiser and a bad cholesterol buster.