Heart Disease
Print This Post
2.15 Cholesterol is natural, health-enhancing fatty substance with a complex chemical formula. Some cholesterol is necessary for the proper functioning of the body cells. Cholesterol plays an important role in our fat absorption, is required for the production of certain hormones such as estrogen and testosterone and helps in vitamin D metabolism. The membranes of cells require a minimum quantity of cholesterol for healthy functioning and cholesterol helps to form the protective sheath of the nerves.
2.16 The most common cause of high cholesterol level in people is too much saturated fat and transfat in the diet. The other root causes of high cholesterol are obesity, stress, anxiety, diabetes, thyroid imbalance, hereditary conditions, or addictions such as drugs, alcohol, nicotine and caffeine.
2.17 Cholesterol has a special transport system for reaching all the cells, which need it. It uses the blood circulation as its road system and is carried on vehicles made up of proteins. These combinations of cholesterol and proteins are called lipoproteins. There are two main forms of lipoprotein namely:
(i) Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL, also referred to as bad cholesterol) which carries cholesterol and other fats from the digestive system through the blood/liver to the cells for all processes; and
(ii) High Density Lipoprotein (HDL, also referred to as good cholesterol) which removes cholesterol from the circulation in the blood by returning the extra cholesterol that is not needed back to the liver. Some experts believe that HDL also removes excess cholesterol from arterial plaque, thus slowing its build-up.
2.18 When too much LDL cholesterol circulates in blood, it accumulates in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick hard deposit that narrows and stiffens the arteries and makes them less responsive to triggers to expand and constrict, thereby reducing the blood flow to the heart and other organs. In case of a clot formation due to infection/inflammation in these arteries, a heart attack or a stroke can result.
2.19 About one-fourth to one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. Low levels of HDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease whereas high levels seem to protect against heart attack. Methods to increase HDL cholesterol are excess weight reduction; regular exercise, low fat, low calorie, high fibre diet; increase in Omega-3 fatty acids (olive oil, mustard oil, canola oil, flaxseeds, almonds, walnuts, oily fish). Moderate alcohol drink (one drink a day especially, red wine) is said to increase good HDL cholesterol. But more than one drink a day can increase bad LDL cholesterol and prove to be catastrophic. However, if you are teetotaler, you don’t have to start drinking. A glass of black grape juice has similar benefits and so has green tea.
