High Blood Cholesterol
What is high blood cholesterol and what can it mean for you?
It’s pretty much common knowledge in our society today that high blood cholesterol levels can put you at an increased risk for heart disease, especially when
combined with other factors such as heredity. obesity, smoking and a poor diet.
But exactly what is meant by "high blood cholesterol?" Where does it come from? Why is it dangerous?
To understand, you have to know a little bit about something called "lipids" and the role they play in the human
body.
Lipids and Cholesterol
Lipids are indispensable for structure and function of body cells and constitute about 15-20% of the body weight
in humans. They are stored in "fat depots" called Adipose tissue in various forms like triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids, glycolipids etc. The fat stores will meet the
energy requirements for several weeks in humans.
Lipids in the diet are digested and absorbed into the blood in the form of free fatty acids, cholesterol and triglycerides.
Cholesterol, which literally means ‘solid alcohol from bile,’ is a soft, fat molecule that cannot be used for
energy production in the body. It conducts heat and electricity poorly and so, functions as insulating
cover for transmission of impulses in the nervous tissues.
Where does high blood cholesterol come from?
Blood cholesterol comes from two sources:
- it is produced in our own bodies, mostly by the liver and intestines. About 1 gram of cholesterol is synthesized per day in adults. Almost
all the tissues in the body participate in cholesterol formation.
- it comes from the food we eat.
In healthy individuals, the total blood cholesterol is in the range of 150-250 mg/dl. However, women of child
bearing age have relatively low range of cholesterol, which is attributed to female reproductive hormones.
Cholesterol level increases with age.
High blood cholesterol can lead to a condition called atherosclerosis. This happens when the blood vessels are
narrowed due to deposits of free-floating cholesterol. The excess cholesterol that cannot be used by the body
travels around in the blood and then tends to stick to the walls of these blood vessels. It can build up as plaque
on the walls of the blood vessels and reduces the diameter, often causing the heart to have to work harder to push
the blood through (known as high blood pressure). When the arteries around the heart become clogged, it leads to
heart disease and heart attacks. When the arteries in the brain are clogged, it causes a stroke.
It’s very important to understand cholesterol, how it works and what it means for your body. You should also
study the types of cholesterol and what foods they are found in so you can be sure you are getting enough
HDL or "good" cholesterol to reduce your increased risk of heart disease and live a
healthier, longer life.
Also see our related article on eating a good diet for high cholesterol.
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