Cholesterol Count

When you hear the word cholesterol, what is your immediate reaction, or what comes first in your mind? Many people worry when they hear the word cholesterol. They see it as something that is always bad for health. It is always associated with heart problems like hypertension and heart attack. But what cholesterol really is what it does to our body and health.

Cholesterol determined

Cholesterol is a type of fat or lipids in the blood and almost all parts of the body. It is a soft, waxy substance in cells of the body. Cholesterol is very useful because it is a component in the formation of cell membranes, certain hormones. It is also necessary for other body functions. Much of this substance is produced naturally within our bodies and some of the food we eat.

Cholesterol is not really a hazardous substance, but it is actually one of those substances that our body needs to stay healthy. However, we must understand that there are two kinds of which, the good cholesterol and bad.

The good and bad

Since cholesterol is a type of fat, it can not be directly dissolved in the blood. This material is transported to and from the cell by another substance called lipoproteins. The high density lipoprotein or HDL is the good. This type protects the body against heart disease because cholesterol is transported by the arteries where fats can accumulate. It is also believed to remove cholesterol from arteries other. This type of cholesterol, however, must be maintained and monitored, because the low level which can also increase the risk of heart problems.

Bad cholesterol is known as density lipoprotein or LDL. This type strongly contributes to the accumulation of plaque in the inner walls of arteries. high levels of compounds in the blood causes a major risk of coronary heart disease that could lead to a heart attack.

Sources of cholesterol

Although LDL is mainly produced in the body, cholesterol in our diet contributes more to total cholesterol. Sixty-five percent of our cholesterol is produced in the body and the remaining 25 percent comes from food. Almost all the food we eat every day in cholesterol and contains many of these foods contain large quantities.

Above the list of foods that contain large amounts of cholesterol is a food familiar to all and can be purchased in almost all fast food chains and restaurants. Chicken and egg contains the highest number. These two are followed by the liver, seafood and turkey Thanksgiving favorite.

Unknowingly, our body cholesterol is also affected by hereditary means. Some genes inherited from our parents or grandparents who are the cholesterol in our bodies to be produced too much.

The level of cholesterol

Everyone should monitor cholesterol because too much cholesterol or too low in the body make a lot of disease. Cholesterol includes both good and bad, both those produced inside the body and those acquired from food intake.

cholesterol numbers are determined by a blood test. Each person has a unique physical, so a person should consult a doctor about cholesterol should be maintained. It is recommended especially those aged 20 and over for fasting lipoproteins and test at least once every five years. Consult a doctor for routine medical need before your cholesterol should be tested. Usually, doctors ask patients to go on fasting for 10 to 12 hours, which means no food or pills taken. This will determine the exact amount of go.