Understanding bad cholesterol
Cholesterol is a protein found in foods of animal origin, but
it can also be produced by the human body. The liver produces
cholesterol, as do other individual cells throughout the body.
Once cholesterol is produced, it can make its way into the
bloodstream. Bad cholesterol can be the result of an
inappropriate diet. It is also known that bad cholesterol may
occur because of a genetic inheritance in the family history.
Bad cholesterol is in fact a very high level of LDL (Low Density
Lipoprotein) in the body. Take the cholesterol your body makes
and add it to the cholesterol you get from food. You can see how
easily bad cholesterol can build up in your bloodstream and how
your overall cholesterol level can increase. By monitoring and
treating both sources you can significantly lower your bad
cholesterol. Control your bad cholesterol by improving your
lifestyle! If proper diet and exercise are not enough, there are
also medical treatments that balance high levels of cholesterol.
In spite of the damage that bad cholesterol can cause to the
body, it also has a contribution to your good health! Some
people are causing themselves to go into a condition known as
chronic unintentional dehydration. This is when they do not
ingest enough water for long periods of time. They may be
consuming plenty of beverages, but if they contain caffeine they
are only adding to the dehydration of their bodies. In
situations like this, ,,bad" cholesterol protects the important
hormones and vitamin D production in the body as well as the
walls of the arteries.
Cholesterol coats the walls of the arteries in those who have
become so dehydrated. This process may save them from embolism,
but could lead to an excessive build up of bad cholesterol, a
precursor to heart disease.
The best way to deal with bad cholesterol in a healthy way is to
keep lower cholesterol levels, by properly hydrating the body.
This can be done by drinking at least 6 glasses of water each
day. This way, LDL levels do not need to compensate for
dehydration.