What Is Cholesterol?
Surely, you've heard of cholesterol, regardless of how much you actually know about it. In fact, many people have even heard the terms "good" and "bad" cholesterol, given their rising prevalence in the news and recent studies.
But, the question for many remains: What is cholesterol? And how does it affect our bodies?
Well, cholesterol is made by the liver. Just about every animal that is eaten for food produces cholesterol in this manner. After it's produced in your own body, or absorbed from the food you eat, it's then carried through the bloodstream by particles known as lipoproteins.
It's interesting to note that your body accounts for 75 percent of your overall cholesterol levels, while your diet only contributes to the remaining 25 percent.
Anyway, these lipoproteins are made up of fat and protein. However, which they contain more of determines if they are "bad" or "good." If they contain a higher proportion of fat, they can stick to your blood vessel walls as they speed through your veins and arteries.
Over time, this accumulates and forms hardened plaque, thus reducing the flow of blood to your heart — and hence the "bad" label. The scientific term for bad cholesterol is low-density lipoprotein, or LDL.
On the other hand, lipoproteins that contain a higher proportion of protein serve a different and much healthier function. Their main task is to carry cholesterol away from your heart and out of the body. The higher your levels of these "good" lipoproteins, or high-density lipoproteins (HDL), the lower your risk of dying from a heart attack.
In other words, you want to raise your HDL and lower your LDL. Unfortunately, there are no significant symptoms of high cholesterol, so the only way to know where you stand is to see your doctor.
And, don't think just because you aren't overweight, you aren't at risk. Even seemingly healthy and fit individuals can succumb to high cholesterol.
Hopefully, that clears some things up for you and will encourage you to get your cholesterol levels checked at your next checkup.
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Comments
Thanks for breaking it down into terms even I can understand, lol. I've always been kind of curious exactly what is cholesterol and now I have a much better handle on it.
I've never really understood the whole cholesterol thing. Thanks for the great information.
Your post will be included in the next edition of the Carnival of Family Life scheduled for Nov. 19th at An Island Life. See you there!
My family has a history of high cholesterol so I have mine checked on a regular basis and I'm happy to say my levels have always been normal so far thanks to a clean diet and plenty of exercise. It just goes to show you really can do it with a healthy lifestyle rather than popping pills.
well ill be darned, i didnt know our bodies created it.
hrm you learn something new each day I guesss.
Thanks fitbuff