Cholesterol is a waxy substance used to produce certain hormones and synthesise vitamin D. It is an important compound in the body and is produced by the liver. Certain foods are high in cholesterol and by eating large quantities of these foods, your body is flooded with cholesterol. Your liver produces cholesterol for the body’s healthy functioning but additional cholesterol beyond the body’s needs can be detrimental.
What are Cholesterol Proteins?
Cholesterol cannot travel in the blood on its own. Lipoproteins are a special type of protein that transports cholesterols. There are two main types of lipoproteins – HDL and LDL.
High density lipoproteins (HDL) is also known as the “good cholesterol” and it will carry cholesterol back to the liver where it can be broken down and removed from the system.
Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is called the “bad cholesterol” because it keeps cholesterol circulating in the blood stream and eventually contribute to the cholesterol build up along the walls of youe blood vessels. Triglycerides are another type of fat that is transported by very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). VLDL is related to LDL and has the same effects in terms of narrowing the blood vessels.
Why is Cholesterol Bad?
By building up along the walls of your arteries, cholesterol narrows the blood vessel. This means that less blood carrying oxygen and nutrients can reach the body’s cells. If this narrowed blood vessel is blocked by a clot, the blood supply is almost entirely cut off. If this happens in the blood vessels of the heart, you will have a heat attack. In the blood vessels of the brain, it causes a stroke.
What Causes High Blood Cholesterol?
While your liver produces cholesterol, it usually regulates its production to ensure that only enough cholesterol that is necessary for the body to function is manufactured. Additional cholesterol is brought into the system through food.
Meat, eggs, dairy and other processed ‘fatty’ foods are high in blood cholesterol. Fruits and vegetables are low in cholesterol.
A family history of high blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) may increase your chances of suffering with the problem. If you are obese, smoke, live a sedentary lifestyle with a poor diet, then you are more likely to suffer with high blood cholesterol.
Chronic conditions like diabetes can also increase the risk of high blood cholesterol especially if your diabetes is not managed properly.
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