Cholesterol
and Other Blood Lipids
|
 |
|
|
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance that occurs naturally in
all parts of the body and that your body needs to function normally.
It is present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including
the brain, nerves, muscle, skin, liver, intestines and heart. Your
body uses cholesterol to form many hormones, Vitamin D and the bile
acids that help to digest fat. It takes only a small amount of cholesterol
to meet these needs. With too much cholesterol, the excess is stored
in the arteries, including the coronary arteries, where it contributes
to the narrowing and blockages that cause the signs and symptoms of
heart disease. |
|
What is HDL cholesterol?
HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein and is otherwise known as
the "good cholesterol". It is a cholesterol carrying protein
in the blood, which is thought to retard the formation of atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries). Its function is to remove and carry away
fatty deposits from the walls of the blood vessels and take it to
the liver where it is eliminated. The current recommendation is for
your HDL level to be 40 or greater. |
|
How do I increase my HDL level?
HDL's can be positively impacted through regular cardiovascular exercise.
Heredity also plays a role. Smoking can have a negative impact on
HDL's because it causes the blood to thicken. |
|
What is LDL cholesterol?
LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein and is otherwise known as "bad
cholesterol". It is the cholesterol carrying protein in the blood
that is implicated in the deposits that thicken the walls of the blood
vessels. The current recommendation is below 130. There is s strong
correlation of increased heart attacks and heart disease with high
levels of LDL's. |
|
How do I lower my LDL level?
LDL's are negatively impacted through a high-fat diet and heredity. |
|
What are Triglycerides?
Triglycerides in the blood are derived from fats eaten in foods or
made in the body from other energy sources like carbohydrates. Calories
ingested in a meal and not used immediately by tissues and converted
to triglycerides and transported to fat cells to be stored. Hormones
regulate the release of triglycerides from fat tissue so they meet
the body's needs for energy between meals. |
|
How is an excess of triglycerides harmful?
Excess triglycerides in the blood are called hypertriglyceridemia.
It is linked to the occurrence of coronary disease in some people.
Elevated triglycerides might be an occurrence of other disease, such
as untreated diabetes. These measurements can be done through a simple
blood test, and should be done after an overnight fast of food and
alcohol.
| TRIGLYCERIDES |
| Normal |
Less than 150 mg/dl |
| Borderline high |
150-199 mg/dl |
| High |
200-499 mg/dl |
| Very high |
500 or greater mg/dl |
|
|
|
How do I lower my triglycerides?
|
- If overweight, cut down on calories to reach ideal body weight.
This includes all sources of calories, from fats, carbohydrates,
protein and alcohol.
- Reduce saturated fat and cholesterol from diet.
- Reduce intake of alcohol considerably.
- Be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most days of each week.
- Substitute fish high in omega-3 fatty acids instead of meats high
in saturated fat such as hamburger. Fatty fish like mackerel, sardines,
herring, albacore tuna and salmon are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
- People with high triglcerides should substitute monounsaturated
and polyunsaturated fats - those liquid at room temperature
(canola oil, olive oil or liquid margarine) for saturated fats.
Substituting carbohydrates for fats may raise triglyceride levels
and decrease HDL (good cholesterol) levels in some people.
|
