Lower Your Cholesterol

If you've heard cholesterol spoken about often but still wonder what it really is a brief summary is provided below.

Cholesterol is a waxy, soft fat that is found in the blood and in the cells of all human beings. As with other fats, it has to be carried through the bloodstream and to and from the cells. This is done by proteins called lipoproteins. There are five different kinds of lipoproteins:

1.  High-density lipoproteins (HDL)
2.  Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
3.  Very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
4.  Intermediate-density-lipoproteins
5.  Chylomicrons

About 80% of cholesterol is produced by the liver and is very important to the production of hormones by the cell membranes. It is also required for the production of vitamin D and bile acids which, in turn, help in the digestion of fats. Cholesterol is also believed to help the cell connections in the brain that are vital for learning and memory. However, these benefits are devalued when cholesterol levels increase. Depending on the type of cholesterol and the amount of its elevation, serious health risks can occur.

The required amount of cholesterol is produced by the body itself - normally about a thousand milligrams each day. This means that taking in cholesterol-rich foods as a result of eating animals products is not really necessary. Saturated fats from animal foods such as egg yolks, poultry, fish and dairy products are rich sources of cholesterol. Food derived from plants like fruits, vegetables, and nuts, among others, tend to be cholesterol free.

There are a number of factors which can influence one’s cholesterol levels. Some of these include: weight, diet, amount of exercise, age, gender, heredity, and some medications.

Health Risks of High Cholesterol

A lot of health dangers are associated with high cholesterol levels. Atherosclerosis is a dangerous disorder where fats, cholesterol and other substances stick to the walls of the arteries damaging them and suppressing the flow of blood. Arterial disease, more familiarly known as heart disease, is top of the list among causes of death in America.

Warning signs are often not evident for these health problems. Angina or heart attacks usually happen when cholesterol builds up and it is advisable for everyone above the age of 20 to have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every five years. Being complacent may increase your risk factors and lead to poor health and greater medical expenses.

What Does Cholesterol Treatment Involve?

Cholesterol treatment is designed to lower the levels of bad cholesterol and thus help to prevent atherosclerosis and ensuing heart attacks. Before any cholesterol treatment is prescribed your doctor will most likely request a few tests to ascertain exactly what the levels of cholesterol in your blood. Your doctor will also look into your medical history to judge the intensity of risk involved.

Importance of Risk Factors

If you have a history of heart attack in the family, you smoke, you have already developed high blood pressure, diabetes and/or have a history of atherosclerosis or heart disease, the recommended cholesterol treatment will be chosen accordingly. However, if the risk factors (as described above) are low the doctor will most likely prescribe a drug free therapy which will consist mostly of changes in diet and life style.

However, if one or more high risk symptoms are found to be present, and the levels of cholesterol (LDL in particular) are high too, then the doctor will start you on medication, depending upon the stage of the disease.

It is common knowledge that bad cholesterol or LDL cholesterol is instrumental in causing atherosclerosis. This disease is the first step towards heart attack and eventually death. Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease which can start extremely early in life. Since it does not have any particular symptoms, it will progress silently and manifest itself through heart pain (angina) and heart attacks.

The cholesterol treatment the doctor prescribes will aim to reverse this trend. While medicines are found to be efficient, some studies show that they are not enough. People who develop atherosclerosis are still at risk from heart attacks even with the most appropriate regime of diet, exercise and lifestyle. What seems to help is to increase the levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).

HDL cholesterol removes and cleans the arteries of the plaque formed by fat and other debris accumulation thereby returning the cardiovascular system to its healthy form. This cholesterol treatment is what really helps in the end. Unless the arteries are “cleaned”, the risk of heart attack can still exists despite the bad cholesterol being brought under control.

In order to be informed about risk from an early stage, when it is easier to reverse the atherosclerosis, you need to take a cholesterol test at least once every three years. You should also be careful about what type of fat you consume and reduce saturated fats to the minimum.