Cholesterol has gotten a bad name in our society. People fear their cholesterol numbers will be too high and they will die from a heart attack, but in reality, this substance makes a quarter of the brain, produces bile that helps digestion, and provides protection for cells. Just like everything in life, it is about moderation — a key factor in preventing certain heart and brain diseases.
Blood plasma and the lipid lining of cell membranes are vital for human survival, but what do they have in common? They are all made from cholesterol. Cholesterol was given its name in 1784 when it was first discovered as a solid in gallstones. Hence the name “chole” (bile in Greek) and “stereos” (solid in Greek). Later on, the two types of cholesterol were found to be LDL and HDL— these two have wildly different functions.
(the molecular structure of cholesterol)
Think of HDL proteins to be the healthy cholesterol, and think that LDL protein count should be low. What do you think this implies? If you said that HDL is more beneficial and healthier than LDL then you are correct. HDL absorbs fat, calcium, and other plaques, and moves towards the liver to flush them out, via the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Along with a high count and small size of HDL, HDL transports microRNA, boosts metabolism, and effectively lowers the risk for strokes and heart diseases.
LDL, on the other hand, is named “bad cholesterol” as they carry fat and cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the body. Ideally, one would want a low number and large size of these particles to ensure that plaque deposits are not present on artery walls. The formation of this plaque is called atherosclerosis and is linked with numerous cardiovascular conditions. High counts of LDL contribute to fat buildup in arteries which narrow the artery’s walls and cause more strain to the heart.
(notice which type of cholesterol passes through the artery and which one sticks to the walls)
As mentioned before, atherosclerosis occurs when there is a build-up of hardened plaque in the artery walls which leads to coronary and cardiovascular issues. Plaque is fat, calcium, cholesterol, and other particles found in the blood; as it hardens arteries become more narrow, making it harder for oxygen-rich blood to travel, and eventually parts of the plaque can rupture, leading to catastrophic results.
If this does happen, platelets try to clot the rupture site by clumping together and essentially form a blood clot. As you may have guessed, this clot narrows the arteries drastically and obstructs blood to go to the rest of the body. The site where the clot has formed can cause a multitude of effects: worsen angina (chest pain), cause a heart attack, and even cause a stroke.
Another horrifying quality clots have are they can travel through arteries and invoke even more damage.
In 2016 atherosclerosis caused 18 million deaths worldwide, making it the leading cause of death. Doctors had to come up with ways to fix this problem both surgical and naturally. Depending on the amount of buildup, doctors will either widen the arteries by placing a stent (wire mesh tube) near the blockage, or they will target small amounts of soft plaque and suck out the cholesterol so that the plaque will shrivel. A cardiologist at Harvard Medical School says that to shrink and lower LDL levels, one must make drastic lifestyle changes. He says that a “Mediterranean diet” can lower the risk of heart disease by 30%. This diet is rich in omega fatty acids, fruits, lean meat, vegetables, and constricts the consumption of processed meat, cheese, and wine. Other lifestyle changes include exercising for 150 minutes weekly — this raises HDL, burns body fat, and eventually lower LDL levels— and quitting smoking — this also helps to raise HDL levels and prevent further damaging arterial linings.
Cholesterol is crucial to our survival. Without this, we would not be able to digest food, regulate calcium, produce hormones or cellular membranes. Do not be scared of LDL, for we need to supply cholesterol to the body, but keep in mind that there needs to be a balanced proportion of the two. You should aim for around 60 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of HDL. If you are unsure of your cholesterol levels, ask your doctor to order a test for you, but make not to panic if there the total cholesterol level is high. Understand what type is high and make the according changes.
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