Cholesterol
Cholesterol is the most familiar and popular word in the medical
arena. Everyone knows something about it but they don't have
concrete information. Usually people think cholesterol is a bad
and unwanted substance but the reality has some other face.
Cholesterol is said to be the fatty substance found in the blood
circulation of the human body. It is said to be every important
substance in the human body as it also produces cell membranes
and performs other needed bodily functions. It not only veils
the nerves in the human body but also held responsible for
making up of your sex hormones. However brain, liver and spinal
cord are said to be the hot spots where this cholesterol
concentrates.
According to the human body's psychic there is enough
cholesterol present inside the body but still majority of the
people intake more cholesterol by consuming fatty products.
Cholesterol slowly builds up in and around the blood vessels and
act as an obstacle in the normal blood circulation.
Generally cholesterol and other fats don't dissolve in the blood
that's why they are carried to and from the cells by the special
carriers called lipoproteins. In broader terms there are
primarily two types of lipoproteins known as Low Density
Lipoproteins and High Density Lipoproteins. Low Density
Lipoproteins are also known as 'bad' cholesterol as too much of
it can lead to blocking of the arteries which results in heart
attack. Whereas High Density Lipoprotein is said to be 'good'
cholesterol and it is made inside the body and it carries the
cholesterol away from the arteries.
It has been said that too much of anything is not good same
applies in cholesterol too as its excessive quantity is said to
be the main source of many heart diseases. Hypercholesterolemia
is the term used for high level of blood cholesterol.
Experts feel that wrong eating habit and unhygienic diet is the
main reason behind the increase of cholesterol. It has been said
that if your cholesterol level is 240 or more then you are
usually at a high risk of cholesterol. According to the latest
survey it has been stated that almost 20% of Americans are close
to high cholesterol level and around 70 million Americans are
already affected with cardiovascular disease.
It has been popularly quoted that prevention is better than
cure. If you're in middle 40's then try to reduce the intake of
fatty foods as it not only reduces the risk of cardiovascular
disease but also increases your life span. Apart from the waxy
and fatty food the lavish lifestyle too is to be blamed. So if
you want to live long and healthy life then it is always
advisable to consume the food having controlled cholesterol and
fats.