By Ella Kang
Cholesterol is a waxy type of fat or lipid-like substance which moves throughout the body blood. Chemically, it is an organic compound in the steroid family; its molecular formula is C27H46O. Cholesterol in its pure state is a crystalline substance that is white, tasteless, and odourless.
There are 3 types of combinations of lipid and protein: HDL, LDL, and VLDL. Each kind has different purposes in the body:
HDL (high-density lipoproteins) is called “good” cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of the body back to the liver. The liver then removes cholesterol from the body.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is called “bad” cholesterol because it leads to the buildup of plaque in arteries.
VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) is “bad”, because it also contributes to the buildup of plaque. While VLDL mainly carries triglycerides, LDL carries cholesterol.
Why Cholesterol Is Important
Cholesterol is practically found in every cell in the body, because the body requires some cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D, and other substances. Cholesterol also helps the cell membranes to form layers that can protect the contents of the cell by acting as a gatekeeper to things that enter or leave the cell, which all allow the body to digest foods. To carry out all those important functions, the liver naturally produces the cholesterol, but it is also found in foods from animal sources such as egg yolks, meat, and cheese.
Why Cholesterol Matters
Cholesterol travels in the bloodstream, and the risk to health issues rises as the amount of cholesterol does in the blood. For instance, high cholesterol level means a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart disease and stroke.
Other medical conditions (high blood pressure and diabetes), certain medicines, as well as age, weight, and heredity can also raise the risk for high cholesterol. Genetics may also play a role: for example, familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited form of high cholesterol. However, the most common cause is an unhealthy lifestyle.
Unhealthy eating habits: eating lots of bad fats (saturated fat) found in some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, and deep-fried and processed foods. Another type, trans fat, is in some fried and processed foods. Eating these fats can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Lack of physical activity: lots of sitting and little exercise lower the HDL (good) cholesterol.
Smoking: raises LDL cholesterol while lowering HDL cholesterol
Too much of the bad cholesterol (LDL), or not enough of the good cholesterol (HDL) can make cholesterol to slowly accumulate in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and the brain. Then, cholesterol may join with other substances to form a thick deposit on the inside of the arteries, causing the arteries to be less flexible– a condition known as atherosclerosis. Again, if a blood clot forms and blocks these narrowed arteries, a heart attack or stroke can result.
It is important for everyone to frequently test the cholesterol levels, to prevent any further consequences. 3 things to remember with cholesterol are: check, change, control.
Check your cholesterol levels. It’s key to know your numbers and assess your risk.
Change your diet and lifestyle to help improve your levels.
Control your cholesterol, with help from your doctor if needed
It is possible to lower cholesterol through healthy lifestyle changes, such as a heart-healthy eating plan, weight management, regular physical activity, and avoiding tobacco. In some cases, medications might be needed. Statin medicines are one of the most well-known types of cholesterol reducing drugs.
Keep in mind that the healthcare providers will work with you to determine which therapy would be the best for you!
Works Cited
“Cholesterol.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 May 2021, medlineplus.gov/cholesterol.html.
“Cholesterol: Types, Tests, Treatments, Prevention.” Cleveland Clinic, 31 July 2020, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11920-cholesterol-numbers-what-do-they-mean.
“What Is Cholesterol?” Www.heart.org, 6 Nov. 2020, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol.
Comments