Although today the word cholesterol is full of negative connotations associated with poor diet, obesity and cardiovascular problems, in reality it is a necessary element for our body. The important thing is to know what it is, how and when it is detrimental to health. Cholesterol is not nothing but a type of fat, a lipid involved in many important physiological processes such as cellular, digestive, and in the synthesis of hormones, among other functions.
Our liver is capable of producing the needed cholesterol to the body. However, through the power , we can receive an additional amount of this substance in many instances, is detrimental to health, especially for the heart . The origin of increase in blood is derived mainly from the increase in saturated and trans fats in the diet.
‘Good’ cholesterol and ‘bad’
With this simple dichotomy, many physicians try to educate their patients of the risks to health involves a balanced diet low in fat and rich. For cholesterol reaches the cells, before requires transport through the blood supply. To this end, two lipoproteins, LDL , low density, associated with the ‘bad cholesterol’ and HDL, or high density, which is identified with the ‘good cholesterol’.
The problem of bad cholesterol or LDL is in excess, it accumulates in the arteries and impedes the passage of oxygen through the blood, which makes the work of the heart and brain. The accumulation of these fats in the blood vessels is called arteriosclerosis . Apart from the risks of stroke, other serious cardiovascular diseases linked to excess fluid.
For its part, the good cholesterol, or HDL , is not only necessary for the body , it is recommended to increase their numbers in the blood when there is risk of atherosclerosis, because it helps to synthesize the “bad” cholesterol that accumulates in the walls of the arteries.
Medical management
It is very important to keep track of thorough blood cholesterol levels, especially in the case of healthy adults, to be reviewed at least every five years. It is measured in milligrams per deciliter and post the total amount of cholesterol is transported in lipoproteins such as LDL, HDL, and others.
A blood test is sufficient to evaluate the amount of this substance. Those who already suffer from an arteriosclerotic clear picture will have to make these checks once or twice a year.
One of the most common causes of hypercholesterolemia (excess bad cholesterol) is in the lack of good cholesterol or HDL, which is essential to promote the synthesis of LDL in our liver. Smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and physical inactivity are causes frequent lack of HDL.