All About Cholesterol And What You Must Have To Know

Cholesterol is Essential. Cholesterol is a wax like substance that is similar to fat, not soluble and is important for a good deal of your body's metabolic processes and also to aid your body use vitamin D. Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream and is stored in body cells. It plays a key role in building the cell walls in heart, liver, brain, nerves, skin and muscles.

The body naturally produces in the region of 75% of all cholesterol, with consumed foodstuff responsible for the residual 25%. Your body actually needs cholesterol, but can make sufficient of it's own, without any help from the food you consume.

Cholesterol is designated in three ways:

1. LDL- Meaning Low Density Lipoproteins - This is known as 'bad' cholesterol and is responsible for blockage of our arteries when there is high levels in our bloodstream.

2. HDL-Means High Density Lipoproteins - This is 'good' cholesterol. Good since it helps to eliminate excess cholesterol from our cells including the arteries.

3. VLDL-Meaning Very Low Density Lipoproteins

Arteries and veins are the conduits for blood circulation and this function can be done effectively as long as they are flexible and unobstructed. LDL can cause atherosclerosis (also known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease or ASVD) which is state that hardens and narrows the arteries because of the formation of plaque. This condition is possibly one of the major reasons for heart attack and stroke. Alternatively, the HDL assists in preventing the built up of plaque on the walls of the arteries.

Cholesterol Checks

As with everything else, there is an acceptable range even for the bad cholesterol.
Everyone over 20 years of age, should check cholesterol levels at least every five years.

The way this is done is by a cholesterol blood test called as a lipid panel or lipid profile.

Prior to the check you cannot eat for minimum 9 hours, preferably 12 hours. The test will then determine the levels of Total,LDL and HDL Cholesterol along with the amounts of triglycerides in your blood. The measurement is taken in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dl).

Total cholesterol is a combination of LDL, HDL AND VLDL. It is better if your Total cholesterol is less than 200

LDL levels must be below 100

In men a HDL level less than 40 is deemed to be a danger factor for cardiovascular disease as is a level below 50 for women

Triglycerides are the most common types of fat found in your body. Levels in excess of 150 can mean increased risk of heart disease and stroke. More than 200 level and your doctor will be dealing with you so severely.

Cholesterol Management

You most definitely do not have to to eat food that contains cholesterol. Along with the cholesterol in food comes saturated fats. Once again a major cause of heart disease. Cholesterol comes from eggs and animal products, mainly meat and dairy products, not from fruit and vegetables.

Saturated fats could be eliminated by avoiding :

* Full Fat Dairy Produce

* Fatty Meats

* Deep fried food

* Cakes etc.

* Meat that has been processed

There's no need to cut out dairy foods, actually it's not at all good for you if you do, but you definitely need to go for low or 0% fat.

This article is meant only for information, if you suspect you have high cholesterol levels, then please visit your doctor for testing. As I mentioned earlier, you should actually schedule regular cholesterol checks anyhow.

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