CholesterolCholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy lipid attached to a protein (called a lipoprotein) found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It is an important part of having a healthy body because it's used for producing cell membranes and some hormones, insulating nerves, and it also helps many bodily functions. All lipoproteins are classified into different groups such as high density, low density, and very low density depending on their ratio of fat to protein.

CholesterolHaving too much cholesterol in your blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease. This is a disease which leads to a heart attack. Hypercholesterolemia is the medical term for high levels of blood cholesterol.

CholesterolThere are two main

different types of Cholesterol:

HDL

(Good Cholesterol)

LDL

(Bad Cholesterol)

HDL (Good) Cholesterol

HDL cholesterol, also known as good cholesterol, is a high density lipoprotein (HDL) that carries bad cholesterol away from the arteries. These lipoproteins carry about ¼ to 1/3 of blood cholesterol. By having a high level of HDL, you can reduce your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke.

LDL (Bad) CholesterolLDL cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol, is a low density lipoprotein (LDL) that circulates in the blood stream. When you have too much LDL, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries. By building on the walls, the arteries are narrowed and it puts strain on the heart and lungs as the blood circulates. The medical condition for having narrowed arteries is called atherosclerosis. If an artery becomes completely blocked, it causes you to have a heart attack or stroke.

Cholesterol

Diagram of how plague blocks blood flow

Artery diagnosed with atherosclerosis

Plague

Very Low Density Cholesterol

Very low density lipoproteins, also called VLDL, are much like LDL cholesterol, but contain mostly fat rather than protein. These lipoproteins are highly dangerous and need medical treatment to help lower the count.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are another type of fat which is carried in the blood by very low density lipoproteins. Triglycerides are converted from excess calories we obtain from foods and liquids, such as alcohol or sugar and stored in fat cells throughout the body.

Where does it come from?

Cholesterol comes from two sources:  your body food 

Your liver and other cells in your body make around 75 percent of blood cholesterol. The other 25 percent comes from the foods you eat.

LDL cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, but many people inherit genes that cause them to make too much.

 Eating saturated fat, trans fats and dietary cholesterol also increases your cholesterol level. Trans Fats are especially dangerous and are found in many packaged foods, such as chips and canned goods. Trans fat lowers your good cholesterol level and raises your bad cholesterol.

Diseases and Health Problems

Many diseases and health problems can arise from high cholesterol such as:

High blood pressure Diabetes Coronary Heart Disease Coronary Artery Disease Stroke Heart Attack

Lower Your Cholesterol

You may eat up to 30% of total fat, but eat mostly unsaturated fat because it does not raise your cholesterol levels.

Eat foods such as: Whole wheat bread Brown or wild rice Fruits without added sugar Vegetables with low-salt and no cream or cheese Fat-free or 1% milk Lean cuts of meat Fish

Did you know??? 105 million Americans have total cholesterol of

200 mg or higher. It is this level at which cardiovascular risk begins to rise.

By watching how we eat and have up to date health exams and blood tests for our cholesterol, we can reduce this number greatly.

CreditsInformation-

www.americanheart.org http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/cholesterol-

management-overview http://www.emedicinehealth.com/high_cholesterol/article_em.htm http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1999/199_chol.html

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