High Cholesterol

High Cholesterol

Introduction

Cholesterol is chemically an alcohol and a compound composed of 27 carbons, 46 hydrogen's and 1oxygen represented as C27H45OH. It is mainly produced in the body by liver and is also a main component of the food products we consume. It is an important constituent of our bodies as it helps in insulating the body; promotes the production of certain hormones and is a component of the cell membranes as well. Similarly cholesterol is a fat type substance which furthermore assists in the production of bile in the gall bladder which is then used to digest fats (www.umm.edu).

Discussion

Cholesterol's transportation in the blood is carried by proteins which later combines together to form lipoproteins. Lipoproteins exist in three types:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): LDL moves cholesterol from liver to cells all over the body. If the level of cholesterol near cell increases then it starts mounting up on the walls of arteries which is very dangerous and harmful for an individual's health.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL): HDL functions oppositely to LDL, it takes the cholesterol away from the cells back to liver where it is later broken down or passed out from the body.

Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL): contains mostly fats not proteins.

Cholesterol level also depends on fats known as triglycerides which are found in blood.

The cholesterol level in every individual body varies. According to doctors the level should be below 200mg/dL. If it exceeds 240mg/dL mark then a person is in danger. Similarly lipoprotein and triglycerides level should also be monitored. According to surveys for a healthy body the HDL level should be above 60mg/dL while the LDL level should be below 160mg/dL and the triglycerides level should be less then 200mg/dL (NIH, 2005).

Total Cholesterol Level in Healthy Adults

Total Cholesterol Level

Category

Less than 200 mg/dL

Desirable

200-239 mg/dL

Borderline High

240 mg/dL and above

High

Source: (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/wyntk.htm)

Factors Affecting Cholesterol Levels

Heredity: high cholesterol level are often inherited

Age and sex: generally as men and women gets older the level of cholesterol rises. For women the cholesterol level particularly due to increase in LDL level rises. This occurs during pregnancy period which later returns to normal and it also amplify when the ceasing of menstruation takes place at the age of round 50. While for men there HDL level decreases as they get older.

Weight: obese or being overweight causes cholesterol level to rise.

Diet: intake of saturated fats results in the increase in cholesterol level. They are normally obtained from ...