Monday, April 6, 2009

Review : Cholesterol


Cholesterol is a fatty substance that the liver produces complex normally and that our body needs for numerous functions such as producing hormones, help the formation of bile and vitamin D and maintain the body's cellular structure. The excess can be harmful.

To circulate in the blood, cholesterol is combined with proteins called lipoproteins and triglycerides. Major Lipoproteins that transport cholesterol are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL).


LDL carry cholesterol throughout the body and are the cause of deposits that clog arteries, which are regarded as the fraction of Cholesterol "malicious."

While it is believed that HDL cholesterol extracted from the wall of the arteries, thus, a favorable indicator.

Cholesterol may cause problems when they exist in the body in quantities greater than necessary. Too much cholesterol can deposit in various parts of the body such as the walls of the arteries.

Source
Blood cholesterol comes from two sources: an endogenous source, which is the body's own production, especially in the liver and represents 60 to 80% of total cholesterol and an exogenous source, which comes from the food we consume.

Saturated fats, which increase cholesterol, are found primarily in foods derived from animals and tend to be solid at room temperature. An example is the white fat of red meat. Due to the way it is prepared, certain vegetable oils also contain saturated fats. Oils called "hydrogenated" contains saturated fats, which tend to raise cholesterol.

Unsaturated fats come mainly from plant and tend to be liquid at room temperature. Example: corn oil. The two basic types of unsaturated fats, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated may help lower blood cholesterol. Fish and poultry are foods low in saturated fat, while beef, milk and eggs contain a large amount.

High concentrations of cholesterol in the blood may be due to swallowed too much cholesterol, or excessive production of it in the body.

Relationship between cholesterol and cardiovascular disease
If the cells are given more cholesterol which can be used, do not have to remove the excess. Cholesterol unused deposits may form in the coronary arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart.
This disease, known as atherosclerosis, is the leading cause of coronary heart disease (leading cause of death in Chile, over 28% and affect hundreds of millions of people around the world).
Other risk factors for heart disease include heredity, diabetes mellitus, male sex, obesity, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking and a sedentary lifestyle.
The reduction of high cholesterol levels can reduce the chances of dying of a heart attack in people who have heart disease as those who have no evidence of heart disease. Controlling Cholesterol is for everyone.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Chile (more than 28%) and affect hundreds of millions of people around the world.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include: excessive blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes mellitus, family history of myocardial infarction.

The concentrations of blood cholesterol over 200 mg% increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
High blood cholesterol is one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Two other important risk factors are high blood pressure and smoking. Your doctor can determine the concentration of cholesterol for you based on your medical history and taking into account all possible risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Lipid analysis
This test separates the levels of total cholesterol in the proportions of high-density lipoprotein and low density lipoproteins, providing an indicator or risk of coronary heart disease more accurately.
The total cholesterol divided by high-density lipoprotein should be less than 4.5. The ideal proportion is less than 3.5. With the low density lipoprotein, a level of 130 mg / dl is desirable, 130 to 159 mg / dl and high limit is 160 mg / dl and over is considered high and high risk.

A more detailed analysis of cholesterol in the blood considered Triglycerides. There are a wide variety of normal levels of triglycerides, by age and sex. As a general rule, a triglyceride level of 250 mg / dl or less can be considered normal. Higher than this may be a cause for concern.

Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a type of fat that is transported throughout the body by lipoproteins very low density, are used by the body as energy. The liver produces triglycerides and cholesterol in some turns. Saturated fats, the unsaturated and mono unsaturated triglycerides are of all types.

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