What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is an essential part of life. It plays an important role in the production and maintenance of our cells, and helps the body produce hormones and store energy. Cholesterol is a type of fat, and can be both “good” and “bad” depending on levels in the body.

Cholesterol is found in all cells of the body and produced from two sources: our diet and our liver. The body naturally produces cholesterol in the liver, and also obtains it from food sources which contain fat and oil. Foods such as red meat, poultry, fish, dairy products and eggs contain cholesterol.

High levels of cholesterol in the blood can cause a variety of health problems and is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

Good and Bad Cholesterol

Cholesterol circulating in the blood is made up of two main types; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is considered “bad” cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol which is considered “good” cholesterol.

LDL cholesterol is thought to be bad as it carries cholesterol to tissues around the body and lays it down in the walls of arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. HDL cholesterol is thought to be beneficial as it carries cholesterol away from the walls of arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down and removed from the body.

Monitoring and Managing Cholesterol

Since the risk of high cholesterol is linked to cardiovascular disease, it’s important to monitor cholesterol levels in order to manage them. A simple blood test can be done to measure total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels. Cholesterol levels can be modified through lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, regular exercise and quitting smoking.

It’s also important to take preventative measures through regular monitoring and lifestyle changes before cholesterol levels reach an unhealthy level.

Medication may be recommended by a doctor if diet and exercise are not enough to keep cholesterol levels in check. Statins are one of the commonly prescribed cholesterol lowering drugs and are designed to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cholesterol is an important part of our bodily functions and helps the body to produce hormones and store energy. It’s essential to keep cholesterol levels in check in order to prevent an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Regular monitoring and making lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and exercising can help to lower cholesterol levels and keep them in a healthy range. If diet and exercise are not enough, then a doctor may suggest taking cholesterol lowering medication.