What is Cholesterol?

You may be asking, what is cholesterol and how can the wrong type adversely affect your body.

Cholesterol is a lipid (fat) that makes up the membranes of all cells within the body. Cholesterol comes from two sources: the food we eat and that which is manufactured in the liver. While we can’t control the amount of cholesterol produced by the body, we can, however, control what we take into our bodies. Meats, fish, and dairy products contain cholesterol naturally. Processed foods also contain cholesterol.

When cholesterol is released from food, it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Here, it becomes a substance called “chylomicron” when it acquires a protein coating. The liver absorbs these chylomicrons from the blood. The liver also has the capability of producing cholesterol and secreting it back into the bloodstream between meals. Cholesterol in and of itself is not dangerous until there is too much of it circulating throughout the body.

Because the liver produces cholesterol, not much more is needed from outside sources. Eating lean meats and low-fat or skim milk and cheeses reduces the amount of cholesterol that enters the body through food. Food full of saturated fats increases the levels of cholesterol in the blood. Conversely, foods that contain mostly unsaturated fats leave less cholesterol in the body. Eating all of those fast food hamburgers, fries, and milkshakes is a surefire way to increase the cholesterol level in the blood.

There are two main types of cholesterol to be concerned about: high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Which is better? High levels of LDL in the blood are considered “bad”. These lipoproteins leave cholesterol deposits on arterial walls. The cholesterol hardens into a waxy substance called plaque. Over time, the plaques narrow the lumen (opening) of the affected vessel leaving blood less space to flow freely. Those cholesterol plaques could break free from the walls of the arteries and lodge in a smaller vessel causing a stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism.

High levels of HDL in the blood are considered “good”. These lipoproteins remove cholesterol from arterial walls before they can form life-threatening plaques. The cholesterol is returned to the liver. The arteries are kept free from anything that would hinder blood flow to the organs of the body.

The next time you have a physical (which should be once a year), make sure to have your blood drawn for a cholesterol panel. Talk to your doctor about what is cholesterol. Keeping your cholesterol in check is important.

What is Cholesterol?

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