Cholesterol is needed by the body
Cholesterol is a waxy,
fatty substance in the blood that plays an important role in the body’s cells
and hormones. Make no mistake; cholesterol is of the utmost
importance to the body. The liver produces all the cholesterol the body needs.
As it is, unfortunately the liver is also enticed to produce more cholesterol
than is actually necessary for the body. This process is triggered by the fat
in the food we eat - saturated fat in meat and dairy products.
High cholesterol is
one of the major risk factors for heart disease. The reason is
because excess amounts of cholesterol are deposited on the inside of arteries.
If the blood cholesterol level continues to be high, more fatty material is
deposited, narrowing the arteries even more, resulting restricted blood flow
to the heart and other areas of the body. The restricted blood flow encourages
formation of a blood clot, which may cause the final blockage. If the blood
flow is blocked off completely, it can result in a heart attack or stroke.
The good news is
that cholesterol in a way also carries “cleaners” as part of its composition.
These “cleaners” are actually HDL cholesterol - HDL stands for High Density
Lipoprotein. Lipoproteins, which are combinations of fats and proteins, are the
form in which fat are transported in the blood. The high-density lipoproteins
transport cholesterol from the tissues of the body to the liver where it is
passed from the body. HDL cholesterol is therefore considered the
"good" cholesterol. The higher the HDL cholesterol level, the lower
the risk of coronary artery disease.
Even small
increases in HDL cholesterol reduce the frequency of heart attacks. On the flip
side of the coin, the lower the HDL level, the higher the risk for heart
disease. Any person’s priority should therefore be to ensure their HDL
cholesterol levels are constantly high to ensure maximum protection. The first
step is to modify one’s lifestyle. Regular exercise, loss of excess weight and
quitting of smoking will increase HDL cholesterol levels. Moderate alcohol
consumption (such as one drink a day) also raises HDL cholesterol. When life
style modifications are insufficient, medications are used. Medications that
are effective in increasing HDL cholesterol include nicotinic acid (niacin),
gemfibrozil, estrogen, and to a lesser extent, the Statin drugs.
So remember who the
good guys in your blood are and look after them – they are looking after you
and your heart!
