CHOLESTEROL

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TweetCholesterol


AHA Scientific Position

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all your body’s cells. It’s an important part of a healthy body because it’s used to form cell membranes, some hormones and is needed for other functions. But a high level of cholesterol in the blood — hypercholesterolemia — is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack.
Cholesterol and other fats can’t dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers of lipids and proteins called lipoproteins . There are several kinds, but the ones to be most concerned about are low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL).


What is LDL cholesterol?

Low density lipoprotein is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. When a person has too much LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood, it can slowly build up within the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis . When a plaque ruptures, a clot (or thrombus) is formed and can block the flow of blood to part of the heart muscle and cause a heart attack. If a clot blocks the flow of blood to part of the brain, the result is a stroke. A high level of LDL cholesterol reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That is why LDL cholesterol is often called "bad" cholesterol.


What is HDL cholesterol?

About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high density lipoprotein or HDL. Medical experts think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from atherosclerotic plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL is known as "good" cholesterol because a high level of HDL seems to protect against heart attack. The opposite is also true: a low HDL level indicates a greater risk.


What is LP(a) cholesterol?

Lp(a) is a genetic variation of plasma LDL and an important risk factor for premature development of atherosclerosis . Most of the atherogenicity seems to be the processes that occur in the arterial intima . However, the mechanism whereby an increased Lp(a) contributes to disease is not understood. It may rest with its affinity for fibrin in lesions that leads to accumulation of lipid in fibrous plaques.


What about cholesterol and diet?

Cholesterol comes from two sources. It’s produced in your body, mostly in the liver (about 1,000 milligrams a day). And it’s found in foods that come from animals, such as meats, poultry, fish, seafood and dairy products. Foods from plants (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds) do not contain cholesterol.

Saturated fatty acids are the chief culprit in raising blood cholesterol, which increases your risk of heart disease. But dietary cholesterol also plays a part. The average American man consumes about 360 milligrams of cholesterol a day; the average woman, between 220 and 260 milligrams.

Some of the excess dietary cholesterol is removed from the body through the liver. Still, the American Heart Association recommends that you limit your average daily cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams.

People with severe hypercholesterolemia may need an even greater reduction. Since cholesterol is present in all foods from animal sources, care must be taken to eat no more than six ounces of lean meat, fish and poultry per day and to use skim and low-fat dairy products. High-quality proteins from vegetable sources are good substitutes for animal sources of protein.


How does exercise (physical activity) affect cholesterol?

For some people, exercise affects blood cholesterol level by increasing HDL level ("good" cholesterol). A higher HDL level is linked with decreased risk of heart disease. Exercise can also help control weight, diabetes , and high blood pressure. Exercise that uses oxygen to provide energy to large muscles (aerobic) raises your heart and breathing rates. Such vigorous, regular exercise as brisk walking, jogging and swimming also condition your heart and lungs.

Physical inactivity has been established as a major risk factor for heart disease. Even mild activities, if done daily, help reduce your risk. Examples are walking for pleasure, gardening, yard work, housework, dancing and prescribed home exercise.


How does cigarette / tobacco smoke affect cholesterol?

Cigarette and tobacco smoke is one of the six major risk factors of heart disease that you can change, treat or modify. Smoking has been shown to lower HDL or "good" cholesterol levels.


How does alcohol affect cholesterol?

In some studies, moderate use of alcohol is linked with higher HDL or "good" cholesterol levels. However, the benefit is not great enough to recommend drinking alcohol if you don’t do so already.

If you drink, do so in moderation. Incidence of heart disease in those who consume moderate amounts of alcohol (an average of one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women) is lower than in nondrinkers. However, with increased consumption of alcohol, there are increased public health dangers, such as alcoholism, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, suicide, etc. In light of these and other risks, the AHA believes it is not advisable to issue guidelines to the general public that may lead some to increase their intake of alcohol or start drinking if they do not already do so. It is best to consult with your doctor for advice on consuming alcohol in moderation (no more than 2 drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women).

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[mick-G]

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[mick-G]

TweetGood read!

[mick-G]

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[mick-G]

TweetGood read!

[mick-G]

TweetNice read!