Natural ingredient in blood, necessary for life, but if not under control, it may turn into vicious killer
CHOLESTEROL is a steroid which has structural and functional role in the biology of a cell. It is part of cell membrane and it serves as a firmer of specialized proteins and making transportation into cells faster. Cholesterol is also used for production of gull acids necessary for intestinal absorption of fats (absorption of fats from food in bowels. Cholesterol is necessary for the synthesis of hormones from the group of corticosteroids, including sex hormones (estrogen, androgen ...) . In addition, fats are necessary for the absorption of vitamins soluble in fats, such as vitamins A, D, E and K.
Therefore, cholesterol is vital for cell function and life itself, so it is a natural ingredient of blood.. However, increased level of cholesterol in blood is dangerous for life. Along with diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking, increased level of cholesterol in blood is one of four most important reasons for coronary diseases, myocardial infarction and brain stroke.
Cholesterol enters the circulation either by absorption of food in bowels, or by synthesis procedure in the liver. It is included in zoosterol and can be found in animal origin food. The cells of human and animal origin especially the liver, have the potential and capacity to synthesize about two thirds of endogen cholesterol, while the one third is being consumed by food (exogenous cholesterol). Once taken into body, it links to proteins, dissolves in blood plasma and along with them, circulates through blood circulation.
There are several sorts of cholesterol transmitters, among them especially important: LDL cholesterol (lipoproteins of low density), so called ‘bad cholesterol’, and HDL cholesterol (lipoproteins of high density), so called ‘good cholesterol.
In order to decrease the level of LDL cholesterol in blood, one should reduce the total amount of fats consuming, limit the consuming of red meat, avoid high fat cheese, use low-fat milk products, avoid fried or breaded food, as well as ‘hydrogenised’ vegetable oil (never use already used oil for food preparing). It is recommended to use olive oil, nonrefined and dry. Increase consummation of food rich in nutritive fibers (fruits and vegetables). Decrease as much as possible consuming of trans saturated fat acids products, such as margarine, chips, French fries, crackers, chocolate, chicken pate...)
So called ‘good fats’ can have very good effects. Omega 3 fats naturally decrease the level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, lower the risk of blood vessels diseases, autoimmune disorders and malign diseases, Alzheimer disease and multiple sclerosis. The resources of these fats can be found in tuna fish, salmon, soy oil, etc.
Omega 6 fats have both good and bad effects. Their optimal consummation has protective effects on against heart and blood vessels diseases by decreasing the level of bad cholesterol, while too much consuming of the same elements, equally increase the risk of the same diseases. The resources of the mentioned fats are sunflower, corn and other vegetable oils.
Mono non saturated fat acids decrease the level of cholesterol in blood. these can be found in olive oil, avocado, etc.
Today, special attention is paid to the process of increasing good cholesterol HDL. Low level of HDL cholesterol is equally dangerous for health of blood vessels, as increased level of LDL cholesterol. Regular physical exercise increases the level of HDL cholesterol. The analyses including 25 studies that have been published in last 40 years, showed that aerobe activity brings to the increase of HDL cholesterol in all age groups. It has also proved that better results appeared in persons who do not suffer from obesity, which means that it is optimal to reduce body mass index, consume correct diets and exercise. For each extra HDL cholesterol milligram, the risk of cardio-vascular diseases is being decreased by two to three percents. Smoking decreases the level of HDL cholesterol by fifteen percents.
In case the recommended actions do not lead to the improvement and to the desired results, medicament therapy must be introduced into treatment.
VICIOUS
Lipoproteins of low density (LDL) transport cholesterol from the liver through blood to every body cell. Surplus of cholesterol that the cell cannot use, may sediment in blood vessels. These areas of sediment can further be covered by other substances, such as calcium, and then there is a deposit which may later cause the plug of blood vessel and consequently lead to more serious cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, brain stroke....). This is the reason why LDL cholesterol is called "bad" Cholesterol.
Lipoproteins of high density (HDL), “good cholesterol” are the molecules that circulate through blood and remove the surpluses of cholesterol from blood and tissue, bring it back to the liver and eliminate through the gull. In this way the sedimentation of cholesterol is being decreased in blood vessels, as well as the probability of cardiovascular diseases development decreases. .
