A quarter century ago, the concept of “cholesterol” was exclusively scientific term. Today, more and more people are talking about him. the inhabitants, referring it to extremely harmful chemical compounds, causing diseases of the heart and blood vessels. What is cholesterol? Is he dangerous? Do I need to fight it? Is it possible to consume eggs with yellow and much more can be found in the video below.
- What is cholesterol and its role for the human body
- The harmful effects of cholesterol on the human body
- Triglycerides and phospholipids and their role in the body
- Norm of cholesterol
- Cholesterol in food
- How to lower blood cholesterol
What is cholesterol and its role for the human body
Cholesterol – high molecular weight organic alcohols that contain no more than 3 hydroxyl groups and are present in cellular shells of all living organisms. Approximately 80% of the blood human cholesterol is produced by its adrenal glands, intestines, kidneys and liver. The rest of its quantity comes with food.
The role of cholesterol in the body is as follows:
- the formation of the membranes of all human cells;
- the production of vitamin D;
- reproductive system hormone production person;
- the production of steroid hormones by the adrenal glands;
- base for bile acids;
- protection of red blood cells from poisons.
By its physical properties, cholesterol cannot dissolve in water, only in fats and organic substances. Therefore free move around a human body that has a water base, cholesterol cannot. To perform its functions, it dissolves in special proteins, forming complex organic compounds called lipoproteins (lipoproteins).
Depending on the solvent protein, there are:
- high molecular weight lipoproteins (high density lipoproteins HDL or HDL);
- low molecular weight (low density lipoproteins of LDL or LDL)
- very low molecular weight (very low density lipoproteins VLDLP);
- chylomicrons.
The last three groups transport cholesterol to peripheral tissues to perform their functions. After completed tasks HDL delivers “spent” cholesterol proteins to the liver, from where they are subsequently excreted.
The harmful effects of cholesterol on the human body
Cholesterol is needed and important for normal life. the human body. However, in the case of excess content in blood LDL, VLDL and chylomicrons, high molecular weight lipoproteins cannot completely excrete their body, and excess cholesterol settles in the form of plaques on the walls of blood vessels. What happens next? There are several ways for further developments inside vessels:
- The body may try to oxidize (remove) them, for which a large amount of antibodies will appear in the blood. Often antibodies along with cholesterol plaques begin to destroy and walls of blood vessels.
- Sticking to the inner walls of blood vessels, cholesterol plaques narrow the lumen of the veins and arteries, blood ceases freely circulate, causing various cardiac dysfunctions activities.
- Possible rupture of cholesterol plaque leads to the formation of a blood clot (blood clot) that blocks the vessel and causes heart attack.
Triglycerides and phospholipids and their role in the body
Triglycerides are complex organic compounds that are derivatives of trihydric alcohol glycerol and monobasic fatty acids. This is a small group of chemical compounds that are simple lipids (fats).
Phospholipids are complex organic compounds that are derivatives of polyhydric alcohols, higher carboxylic acids and phosphoric acid. They are complex fats.
Triglycerides and phospholipids are necessary for the body to:
- cell wall construction;
- performing an energy function;
- joining cholesterol to special proteins and their transportation.
Norm of cholesterol
In order to determine whether a particular person has impaired lipid metabolism and cholesterol problems, doctors special blood tests are prescribed. The essence of these studies is the determination of serum cholesterol (i.e. circulating in the blood of HDL, LDL, VLDL, chylomicrons), content triglycerides and phospholipids. In the future, the doctor studies quantitative values of these indicators, analyzes them ratio, gives recommendations on nutrition, the use of various special additives to reduce cholesterol level or control it.
The ideal level of total cholesterol and triglycerides should be less than 200 mg / dl, LDL 100-130 mg / dl, HDL more than 35 mg / dl. The ratio of cholesterol and phospholipids allows the doctor to determine cholesterol solubility, predict relative the body’s ability to cope with the level of “bad” cholesterol yourself, determine the likelihood of biliary prolapse cholesterol stones.
Cholesterol in food
Most cholesterol contains by-products of animals and birds (liver, kidneys, brains, heart, tongue), as well as pig meat. Among dairy products a lot of cholesterol in butter, cheeses, cream, sour cream. Cholesterol-rich oily sea fish, seafood, caviar, egg yolks, sausages, ham, sausages.
How to lower blood cholesterol
To lower cholesterol and control its level The following is recommended:
- To give up smoking, because tobacco smoke leads to an increase total cholesterol and lower HDL.
- Rest properly.
- Monitor body weight, because weight gain by 500 g increases total cholesterol by 2 units.
- Eat healthy foods. These include consumption fruits, protein without fat, foods rich in fiber and pectin, decrease in saturated animal fats, rejection trans fatty acids etc.
- Take cholesterol-resistant supplements. They include calcium, nicotinic acid (not to be confused with tobacco nicotine!), vitamins C and E.
- Be sure to include in your diet a number of foods that received the colloquial name “weapons against cholesterol.” This is tea, rice bran, barley, oats, corn, legumes, garlic, marine seaweed, lemon sorghum oil and olive.
- Workout. Athletes do not have bad habits, eat right, take vitamin and mineral complexes, lead an active lifestyle. Physical activity reduces the level LDL due to increased ability of the body to purify the blood from fat. If fat does not stagnate in the blood, then on the walls of blood vessels it will not settle.
Cholesterol plays an important role in providing vital activity of our body, however, beyond its level in the blood must be monitored for cardiovascular prophylaxis diseases. An increase in total cholesterol is a serious reason think about reevaluating your lifestyle and eating habits. Be healthy!