We talk about cholesterol importantly - why you need it, how much and what to do if your blood is too much, writes ukrhealth.net.
Read to the end to get the most useful information.
What is cholesterol
Cholesterol - a waxy fat-like substance that is found in all cells of our body. Cholesterol itself is not harmful. Moreover, the body produces its own to increase the strength of the cells, bile synthesis and formation of steroid hormones. But in addition to cholesterol, which is produced by the liver, the cholesterol we consume as part of the meat, poultry and dairy products.
In the body, cholesterol is carried by proteins, and when they compounds formed lipoproteins. The new complex proteins are divided into two types.
Two types:
1. "Good" Cholesterol
"Good" refers to high-density lipoproteins (HDL). They transfer cholesterol from cells backto the liver where it is destroyed or removed from the body. High levels of this cholesterol is not harmful to health and contributes to its strengthening.
2. "Bad" cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is called "bad" - they carry cholesterol to the desired cells, but can build up on artery walls. This leads to the development of arterial disease.
More there are compounds such as triglycerides.
As well as "bad" cholesterol, triglycerides are harmful to health. This is another type of fatty substances, which we get from meat, dairy products and oils. In contrast to cholesterol, they are much smaller quantities can be formed in the body and often come with food.
By itself, the cholesterol is very necessary to the body, as it is a substrate for the synthesis of steroid hormones (estrogen, testosterone, hormones adrenal cortex, etc.).
Low density lipoprotein LDL ( "bad" cholesterol) look like bead of protein, cholesterol tightly packed. The problem of "Ball" send cholesterol to the tissues. A "good", in turn, like a balloon filled with cholesterol only by a third. This allows it to work as a "sponge" soaking up excess cholesterol.
For a clearer understanding of how things work, you can imagine the liver in the form of ultra-modern plant with a well-functioning autonomous logistics where cholesterol is produced, packaged into a protein ( "ball"), to protein molecules is applied to certain transport label and all this sent into the bloodstream in order to deliver the cells need cholesterol molecules, and take them back to the unused cholesterol in the liver. In this system, as it was already clear, a lot of different proteins, ie the same "package" and mark on it, as well as receptors on the cells of many tissues of the body that allow the labels to find out.
The genetic structure of these protein molecules are strictly defined. Evolution of long brushed aside inappropriate options, so that only the most effective. But in fact, there are rare mutations that lead to a complete loss of the protein or its functions. In such cases, a person can not develop normally in childhood and severely ill (this condition is called abetalipoproteinemia).
More common are genetic variants that help a person to feel hungry sooner, but at the present type of food lead to the development of atherosclerosis. This happens when the labels on packaged cholesterol ( "balls") are not recognized by liver receptors, and then the excess cholesterol begins to accumulate in the blood (in the world every three hundred people).
Also cholesterol may increase due to a lack of labels (apoproteins) or cholesterol metabolism impaired hormonal regulation (with a decrease of thyroid gland). Usually suggest a genetic cause of cardiovascular disease in older relatives under the age of 45 years. When a particular person we know the cause of high cholesterol, then select treatment based on the desire to influence the broken mechanism.
Which leads to increased cholesterol levels
To name one cause of education "extra" cholesterol is difficult - most likely, there will be few. First of all, it is the consumption of food rich in saturated fats (mostly fatty meat and milk). Also increase the risk of smoking, drinking and lack of physical activity. If you suffer from liver disease and kidney disease, it also affects the level of cholesterol.
When it is necessary to do a blood test
Even if your risk of heart disease in a very small start to monitor cholesterol levels need at least 35 years. But in the presence of certain diseases (diabetes, familial early atherosclerosis) better do regular blood tests since 20 years. On average, you need to check the level of cholesterol every 5 years.
What is dangerous high blood cholesterol
Cholesterol levels are measured in special units - millimoles per liter of blood (mmol / l). Better, when this value is less than 5 mmol / l, especially if there is a risk of heart disease.
Increased level of cholesterol is dangerous in that it has no external symptoms. Therefore, many are not aware of this problem. In fact, high cholesterol can lead to many diseases - such as narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and peripheral arterial disease. Also increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
With an increase in cholesterol appears the risk of coronary heart disease, which can cause angina (pain in the center of the chest) during stress and physical activity.
Associated risk factors (smoking, hypertension, high blood sugar level, etc.) damage the inner lining of the vessel endothelium (inner wall). Inflamed, modified endothelium captures the "bad" cholesterol, while in the wall of the vessel begins to form atheroma. It grows, gradually narrowing the lumen of the vessel. While narrowing of 20-30%, a person does not feel anything. When she closes the gap to 50-60%, the remaining 40% is not enough to pass the required amount of blood - developing ischemia. Ischemia of the heart is called "angina" - the heart needs more blood and narrowing of blood vessels it can not give.
When atherosclerotic plaque is loose and unstable, it can be destroyed. This damaged the plaque body perceives as an injury, and the injury "nominated" platelets - blood cells that stop bleeding. The vessels form a blood clot, and then suddenly stops blood flow and tissue of the heart, brain or other body remains and dies suddenly without blood. This process is called "heart attack." If a disaster occurs in the heart - a heart attack in the brain - a stroke to leg arteries - gangrene.
What if the cholesterol level is high
First of all, the necessary changes in lifestyle and diet. Reduce your intake of fat, watch your weight, start doing sports, buy food with reduced fat and eat more fruits and vegetables.
Fats should not exceed 30% of the diet, are rich - not more than 10%. The main thing to realize that a change in power should not be short-lived. To protect yourself, you need to completely change eating habits. The effect will show immediately. On average, it takes 6 to 12 months.
There are various treatments for diseases associated with cholesterol. In this case, a lot more of those drugs that lower "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides than those that increase the amount of "good". Depending on the survey results and individual factors doctors can assign a variety of drugs.
It is important to remember that only 20% of cholesterol comes from food, the remaining 80% are produced in the body. Therefore, you need to take medication. When taking medications is very important to strictly adhere to the instructions and recommendations of the doctor.
Fatty fish (e.g. anchovies and tuna) contains the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6, which reduce triglyceride levels. The use of these types of fish once or twice a week can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Fish oil can also be used as a means of combating triglycerides, if you do not eat enough fish.
A diet with lots of soy protein can help reduce the number of total cholesterol and triglycerides and raise "good" cholesterol. Soy products (tofu, soy oil, edamame) have the same effect, however, completely rule out other sources of protein you should not low in saturated fats.
What to do if you have high levels of "bad" cholesterol - low-density lipoprotein (LDL)?
First, revise your diet, limit animal fats.
Second, go to the doctor for consultation.
To date, there is a group of drugs that are not only lower cholesterol, but also prolong life. No supplements, no lemon, garlic or fish oil such effect do not possess.
And what if cholesterol below normal?
Rejoice! Low cholesterol does not happen. The lower the cholesterol, the lower the risk of myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular events. Of course, as we know, cholesterol is needed in the body, from it synthesized steroid hormones, but it should be quite a bit for these purposes.
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