It is commonly mistaken by many that cholesterol is bad for your health, but in fact, cholesterol is actually an essential element for our body; it is just having too much of it causes us problems.
Where does cholesterol come from?
Cholesterol is a wax-like fat in our body circulating in our blood plasma. About 75 percent of this lipid is actually produced by our own liver and about 25 of it comes from food source (meat to be exact). Cholesterol relies on lipoprotein as a carrier to circulate in our blood. There are two types of lipoprotein; Low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and high density lipoprotein (good cholesterol).
What does cholesterol do to our body?
Here are the basic functions of cholesterol.
It is essential in the formation of new cells and repair of old cells as it is an important component of the cell membrane.
It is essential in the process of cell permeability
It is involved in the production of androgens and estrogens; and contribution to bile production and converts sunshine to vitamin D,
It helps the formation of synapse which improves learning and memory.
LDL cholesterol transports cholesterol from the liver to the cells. If too much is transported, then the arteries can become clogged which increases the chances for heart disease. HDL, on the other hand, prevents arterial disease. It transports cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver to be decomposed. Eating a diet that is full of trans and saturated fats can increase the amount of bad cholesterol in our body so it is important to develop a healthy eating habit.
What can we do about it?
When high blood cholesterol begins to develop, it is almost impossible for us to notice as it has no sign or symptom. In fact, a person can have a healthy lifestyle but still can have high blood cholesterol since high blood cholesterol can be inherited. Thus, it is important for us to have our cholesterol levels tested in a regular basis keeping it in optimal levels. Persons with high blood cholesterol are prone to have high risk of having heart attacks.
Although high cholesterol can be genetic or causes of other diseases such as diabetes or liver failure, but maintaining a healthy diet, exercise regularly and avoid excessive consumption of alcohol are ways to keep our cholesterol level in optimal levels.
Where does cholesterol come from?
Cholesterol is a wax-like fat in our body circulating in our blood plasma. About 75 percent of this lipid is actually produced by our own liver and about 25 of it comes from food source (meat to be exact). Cholesterol relies on lipoprotein as a carrier to circulate in our blood. There are two types of lipoprotein; Low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and high density lipoprotein (good cholesterol).
What does cholesterol do to our body?
Here are the basic functions of cholesterol.
It is essential in the formation of new cells and repair of old cells as it is an important component of the cell membrane.
It is essential in the process of cell permeability
It is involved in the production of androgens and estrogens; and contribution to bile production and converts sunshine to vitamin D,
It helps the formation of synapse which improves learning and memory.
LDL cholesterol transports cholesterol from the liver to the cells. If too much is transported, then the arteries can become clogged which increases the chances for heart disease. HDL, on the other hand, prevents arterial disease. It transports cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver to be decomposed. Eating a diet that is full of trans and saturated fats can increase the amount of bad cholesterol in our body so it is important to develop a healthy eating habit.
What can we do about it?
When high blood cholesterol begins to develop, it is almost impossible for us to notice as it has no sign or symptom. In fact, a person can have a healthy lifestyle but still can have high blood cholesterol since high blood cholesterol can be inherited. Thus, it is important for us to have our cholesterol levels tested in a regular basis keeping it in optimal levels. Persons with high blood cholesterol are prone to have high risk of having heart attacks.
Although high cholesterol can be genetic or causes of other diseases such as diabetes or liver failure, but maintaining a healthy diet, exercise regularly and avoid excessive consumption of alcohol are ways to keep our cholesterol level in optimal levels.
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For more information on the risk of having high cholesterol, please visit this blog.
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