About him recently speak more and more, but the information is often contradictory. They say that cholesterol is an evil for the body and should be disposed of, it is said that it is useful and almost vital. Where is the truth? What is actually cholesterol - its biological and chemical role for the organism is set forth in this article.
Cholesterol is styrene and is found mainly in the tissues of animals, including humans. Free cholesterol is the main component of cell membranes and serves as a precursor of steroid hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, aldosterone and bile acids. Interesting is the fact that our body actually produces all kinds of cholesterol, which we need in the required quantities. When conducting studies on cholesterol levels, doctors actually measured the level of circulating cholesterol in the blood, or in other words, the level of cholesterol. 85% of the cholesterol that circulates in the blood is produced by the body itself. The remaining 15% comes from external sources - from food. Dietary cholesterol penetrates the body through consumption of meat, poultry, fish and seafood, eggs and dairy products. Some people eat cholesterol-rich foods, but they still have low blood cholesterol and, conversely, eat people who eat foods that are low in cholesterol, which at the same time have high cholesterol levels in the blood. The level of cholesterol in the blood can be increased by taking dietary cholesterol, saturated fats and trans fatty acids. This increase in cholesterol is often associated with atherosclerosis - plaque deposition on the walls of the vessels, which sticks to normal blood flow. If the coronary arteries are blocked, a heart attack can occur. Moreover, if the particles of the plaque exfoliate from the walls of the vessels, they can get into the blood, together with it reach the brain and cause a stroke.
What is "good" and "bad" cholesterol?
There are two main types of lipoproteins (constituents of cholesterol), which work in opposite directions. Low-density lipoprotein carries cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the body's organs and tissues. When the level of this cholesterol is too high, cholesterol is deposited on the walls of the blood vessels. For this, it is called "bad" cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein, on the contrary, carries cholesterol from the blood back to the liver, where it is processed and excreted from the body. The probability of accumulation of such cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels is extremely small. That's why such a cholesterol is called "good". In short, the higher the density of lipoproteins, the lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. For adults 20 years and above, the following optimal biological levels of cholesterol in the blood are recommended:
1. The total cholesterol is less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg / dL);
2. "Bad" cholesterol - not higher than 40 mg / dL;
3. "Good" cholesterol - not less than 100 mg / dl.
Cholesterol and heart disease
Too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to serious problems. In the 1960s and 70s, scientists found a link between high levels of cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol deposits, the so-called plaques, accumulate on the walls of the arteries and slow the rate of blood flow. This process of narrowing is called atherosclerosis and usually occurs in the arteries that supply blood from the heart muscle to all organs and tissues. When one or more sections of the heart muscle does not receive enough blood, respectively, oxygen and nutrients, the result is chest pain known as angina. In addition, a piece of cholesterol plaque can be released from the wall of the carnan vessel and cause it to block, which will inevitably lead to a heart attack, stroke and even sudden death. Fortunately, cholesterol detachment can be delayed, stopped and simply prevented. The main thing is to monitor yourself and get help from specialists in time.
Cholesterol and diet
The human body receives cholesterol from two main sources: from itself - mainly from the liver - produces a different amount of this substance, usually about 1000 mg. per day. Food also contains cholesterol. Products of animal origin - mainly eggs, red meat, poultry, seafood and whole milk products contain large amounts of cholesterol. Food of vegetable origin (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds) does not contain cholesterol at all. A modern man takes about 360 mg. cholesterol a day, and a modern woman of about 220-260 mg. in a day. The American Heart Association recommends that the average daily cholesterol dose does not exceed 300 mg. It is obvious that people with high blood pressure should consume cholesterol several times less. Usually the body produces enough cholesterol, which is necessary, so it is not necessary to take it with food. Saturated fatty acids are the main chemical cause of high cholesterol levels in the blood. It follows that, by supporting the intake of saturated fats, cholesterol intake can be significantly reduced, because foods rich in saturated fats usually contain high cholesterol.
The role of physical activity in the normalization of cholesterol levels
Physical activity increases the level of "good" cholesterol in all, without exception. It also helps regulate body weight, prevents diabetes and high blood pressure. Aerobic physical activity (fast walking, jogging, swimming) improves the heart muscle and increases the body's biological potential. In other words, the role of physical activity in the prevention of cardiovascular disease is simply enormous. Even moderate activity, if performed on a daily basis, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Typical examples are walking for pleasure, gardening, housekeeping, dancing and fitness at home.
Risk factors
There are a lot of factors that affect the level of cholesterol - its biological and chemical role in the body. These include diet, age, weight, sex, genetic conditions, concomitant diseases and lifestyle. And now about each of them in more detail.
Diet
There are two reasons why the cholesterol level in the blood rises sharply. At first. This is the consumption of foods high in saturated fats, while the fats themselves do not contain cholesterol (including products with high levels of hydrogenated vegetable oils, as well as palm and coconut oil). Secondly. This is a meal with a high cholesterol content (a group of these foods mentioned above). Again, it is important to remember that only food of animal origin contains cholesterol.
Age
The level of cholesterol in the blood increases with age - regardless of diet. This is a factor that physicians must take into account when deciding on treatment options for patients with a higher blood cholesterol level.
The weight
Excess weight, as a rule, leads to a higher level of cholesterol in the blood. The area in which excess weight is concentrated, also plays its biological role. The risk is much higher if the overweight is centered around the abdomen and lower if it is concentrated in the buttocks and legs.
Floor
Men usually have a higher cholesterol level, unlike women, especially under the age of 50. After 50, when women enter the menopause period, they observe a decrease in the level of estrogen, which causes an increased level of "bad" cholesterol.
Genetic conditions
Some people are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol. Many congenital hereditary defects can lead to increased production of cholesterol or reduce the potential for its elimination. This trend toward higher cholesterol levels is often transmitted from parents to children.
Concomitant diseases
Some diseases, such as diabetes, can reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, thereby accelerating the development of atherosclerosis. Some drugs used to lower blood pressure can also increase the level of "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and reduce the level of "good" cholesterol.
Lifestyle
High level of stress and smoking are factors that can negatively affect the level of cholesterol in the blood. On the other hand, regular physical activity can increase the level of "good" cholesterol and reduce the "bad" level.