What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that’s present in all cells of the body. It is naturally formed inside the body, but can also be taken in through the foods we eat.
It does not mix with blood; it is carried in the blood by Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and by High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL). The LDL (bad cholesterol) tends to build up and block the blood vessels carrying blood to the body. The HDL (good cholesterol) carries the cholesterol back to the liver for removal.
We cannot live without cholesterol because its functions are very important to our survival:
• Provides the structure of cell walls
• Allows the body to make particular hormones
• Creates digestive bile acids in the body
• Enables the body to generate vitamin D
However, irregular cholesterol levels may also be secondary to other disorders:
• Liver or kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Underactive thyroid gland
• Conditions increasing
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Take a brisk daily walk during lunch break
2. Ride your bike to work
3. Do swimming laps
4. Playing a favorite sport
5. To stay motivated, find an exercise buddy or join an exercise group.
6. Any physical activity is helpful’ like taking the stairs up or down, walking to the nearby supermarket instead of driving, standing up and sitting down during TV commercials, etc. can make a difference.
• Maintain a healthy weight - Excess weight leads in higher LDL. We should control the intake of foods that are high sources of cholesterol like egg yolks, meat and cheese, deep-fried and processed foods, dairy products, baked goods and chocolates.
• Avoid smoking – Quit any kind of smoking cigarette, tobacco, or e-cigarette.
• Moderate consumption of alcohol – Too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems.
Sometimes changing your lifestyle is not sufficient enough to lower cholesterol levels. However don’t let this discourage you if you don't see immediate results. Just keep going and maintain your revitalized
My cholesterol consumption in milligrams according to my Diet Analysis plus was 449.44mg on Sunday 2/21/2016.
Hypercholesterolemia is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance and is a major class of lipid, so it gets into the blood by lipoproteins [1]. A high level of lipoproteins is unhealthy. A high level can result in an elevated risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease [2]. The high levels of lipoproteins are often influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors such as obesity or dieting habits [2]. High cholesterol can be caused by mutations in the following genes: APOB, LDLR, LDLRAP1, and PCSK9 [3]. Mutations in the LDLR gene are responsible for causing familial hypercholesterolemia, which is the most commonly seen form of inherited high cholesterol [3]. The LDLR gene contains instructions for making LDL receptors or low-density lipoprotein receptors. LDL receptors play critical roles in regulating levels of cholesterol in the blood by removing low-density lipoproteins from the bloodstream. Mutations in the LDLR gene can make the amount of LDL receptors produced less than normal or affect their job of removing the low-density lipoproteins in the blood [4]. People who have these mutations will have higher levels of cholesterol. There are many ways that the environment can affect the levels of cholesterol in the blood. Reducing the amount of dietary fat you consume lowers the total amount of cholesterol in the blood [5]. Sucrose and fructose can raise the amount of LDL in the blood. Reducing fatty foods will however lower the amount of LDL [5]. Having a healthy body and maintaining physical exercise plays a key role in keeping your cholesterol at a healthy level. If you are overweight or obese you can lower your cholesterol levels by simply losing ...
Dietary Factors in Preventing Heart Disease As coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the UK, more attention should be paid to preventing the disease. Many patients suffering from heart disease realise that it was mainly caused by their diet. Research has shown that elevated levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with increased risk of heart disease. “ Studies indicate that for every 1% elevation in the bad cholesterol there is a 2% increase in risk of heart disease” (A leaflet on heart disease.)
The cell plasma membrane, a bilayer structure composed mainly of phospholipids, is characterized by its fluidity. Membrane fluidity, as well as being affected by lipid and protein composition and temperature (Purdy et al. 2005), is regulated by its cholesterol concentration (Harby 2001, McLaurin 2002). Cholesterol is a special type of lipid, known as a steroid, formed by a polar OH headgroup and a single hydrocarbon tail (Wikipedia 2005, Diwan 2005). Like its fellow membrane lipids, cholesterol arranges itself in the same direction; its polar head is lined up with the polar headgroups of the phospholipid molecules (Spurger 2002). The stiffening and decreasing permeability of the bilayer that results from including cholesterol occurs due to its placement; the short, rigid molecules fit neatly into the gaps between phospholipids left due to the bends in their hydrocarbon tails (Alberts et al. 2004). Increased fluidity of the bilayer is a result of these bends or kinks affecting how closely the phospholipids can pack together (Alberts et al. 2004). Consequently, adding cholesterol molecules into the gaps between them disrupts the close packing of the phospholipids, resulting in the decreased membrane fluidity (Yehuda et al. 2002).
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition occurring in adults over 45 years but is now increasing in younger age groups such as children, adolescents and young adults. With type 2 diabetes the body becomes resistant and the insulin gradually loses that capacity to produce enough insulin to the pancreas. Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia. The numbers with people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is increasing. In the past year more than 100,000 people have been diagnosed with diabetes. (https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/diabetes-in-australia) The numbers with people having type 2 diabetes is increasing in children mainly because they are not getting the right about of exercise each day, and eating incorrectly. This is happening because of the all the new electronic gadgets. This is concerning because this disease is taking memorable years from that person’s life. An idea for treatment could be that kids and adults should manage their life style more by eating healthier and doing more exercise. They could also go to the doctors and have
Our bodies need some cholesterol to function, and our liver makes it naturally. However, too much LDL-cholesterol, also known as “bad cholesterol,” can lead to buildup in the arteries, which can result in heart disease. LDL-cholesterol levels are affected by from the saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol that may be in a regular diet. The soluble fiber in whole grain oats forms a gel that combines some of the cholesterol in your digestive tract. When
Liver makes cholesterol from the saturated fats in the blood; it enters the blood and is transported around by proteins known as “lipoproteins”. There are two types of lipoproteins low density and high d... ... middle of paper ... ... its along with environmental risks can both contribute to causing heart disease and the same symptoms. Bibliography 1.
It can be prevented naturally by practicing vegetarianism which refers to those who practice a diet low in meat and fish or may not consume meat products at all. Vegetarianism diet offers an advantage because people who practice or change their lifestyle to no meat consumption have lower body mass index (BMI), and can reverse the effects of atherosclerosis. (reducing, 2010). However, people have to be careful while practicing it because a poorly vegetarian diet can cause anemia, fatigue, decreased zinc, decreased vitamin C. Also it can decrease B12 and this may cause neural tube defects, congenital heart defects, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. It is very important to educate vegetarians to have a vitamin B supplementation to prevent another type of conditions. (reducing, 2010). There is another way to prevent or reverse heart disease by consuming seven heart nutrients which are fiber, fish oil, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K, zinc, and COQ10. Also, there are statin drugs such as Crestor (rosuvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin) that are being prescribe to cholesterol-lowering but there is a concern about their safety and effectiveness. There is an alternative to these types of drugs. The statin alternatives are Niacin (B3) known to be effective in lowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and citrus flavones that work blocking the enzymes in the liver
How does a person increase their chances of heart disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease all in the same way? By having increased cholesterol levels (Wedro, 2014). It is estimated that 71 million Americans have high cholesterol, and of those, only one-third of them have it under control (CDC, 2011). A reduction in LDL cholesterol has been shown to decrease the prevalence of strokes and heart attacks. That being said, it has also been shown that cholesterol levels above 200mg/dL put an individual at twice the risk for coronary heart disease than persons with levels 180mg/dL or less (Mann, 2014). There are numerous risks associated with high cholesterol, luckily many factors that can help control it such as medications, exercise and nutrition (Filho, 2013). Exercise training has been supported to show improved changes in blood lipid panels (Greene, 2012). This paper is going to analyze the effects that exercise and diet can have on lowering total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as looking into ways that can help to increase levels of HDL cholesterol. Maintaining cholesterol in the recommend range has been shown eliminate 20,000 myocardial infarctions and 8,000 deaths each year. Saving money is not as important as life saving tactics, but studies suggest that controlled cholesterol could reduce billions of health care costs that are related to elevated cholesterol levels annually (CDC, 2011). Elevated cholesterol levels are associated with limited access to health care; therefore looking into areas of lifestyle changes for health care benefits that are low cost and effective would be valuable (CDC, 2011).
My cholesterol was 699.83 mg, and since it is hard to determine between HDL and LDL through a food tracking application there was no Daily Recommended Intake. Yet, for a 2,000-calorie diet, it suggests 653mg as a maximum. I should reduce my cholesterol levels, because high cholesterol levels can increase risk of heart disease and stroke due to the plaque that can build up in the arteries. My total fat levels were 251% above my Daily Recommended Intake, and I should reduce total fat intake. Of the fat intake, I should reduce saturated fat the most, which was 138% of my Daily Recommended Intake. Saturated fats can increase risk for heart disease by increasing blood cholesterol. To reduce my fat intake I can replace foods like hamburgers with a leaner cut of meat, or chicken. I can reduce fat levels by using less butter to cook my meals, and less cheese. A good option would be a whole grain bread with turkey deli meat, which only has 1.4g of fat per serving. My sodium levels are also abnormally high; I consumed 7,053 mg of sodium, which is 5,553 mg over my Daily Recommended Intake. High sodium diets can increase blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease. To reduce sodium in my diet I can consume less packaged products, mostly meat products and choose a freshly cooked option. I should stay clear of frozen vegetables that have “fresh frozen” because they do not include added sodium. When deciding condiments, I should stay clear of high sodium products such as ketchup, soy sauce, dips and mustard. An easy away to identify food with recommended sodium levels in a grocery store is the “American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark”. I consume a supplemental protein shake after each workout within thirty minutes to maximize my recovery and absorption of protein. I also have 25g of supplemental whey protein, and 40 grams of casein protein. Both of these products are
My DRI of cholesterol was maxed at 300mg and my intake was 267mg. Still relatively high so could start consuming Oatmeal for breakfast in which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol. Also, I...
When one or several lipids combine with proteins this forms lipoproteins, these transport fat throughout the bloodstream. High-density lipoproteins, also known as HDL, carry fat away from body cells, therefore preventing its growth in the artery walls. Low-Density Lipoproteins, also known as LDL, contain a high amount of cholesterol and seem to help the build up of fatty materials in the artery walls. The situation that you should go for would be high HDL and low LDL levels. Your goal should be to keep your overall cholesterol at below 200, with LDL lower than 40, and your HDL should be at around 160. This will lower the risk of heart disease and other related problems with cholesterol.
I. Introduction: You’ve probably heard it a million times that obesity is an issue on the rise in America. Well, why if everyone knows that it is a problem is nothing being done to fix it? I’m here to propose a solution to this problem affecting over a third of the adult American Population.
Today I will be outlining my plan to help education parents and children alike on the dangers of childhood obesity. With this plan I hope to better education parents and children on how to prevent and fight this current health issue. As a parent myself I’m very interested in this topic and help solving this situation. This plan will discuss what childhood obesity how we can help solve this problem. With the proper education I feel we all can make better decisions in our children’s lives as well as our very own.
I won’t ask who has gained this weight, but by a raise of hands, how many of you have thought to yourself, “Are my jeans getting tighter?”