Cholesterol Essay examples -- essays research papers

Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in all your forms cells. Its normal to have cholesterin. Its an important part of a healthy body because its used for producing cell membranes and some hormones, and serves other needed bodily functions. tho too high a level of cholesterin in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack. Its also a risk factor for stroke. Hyper cholesterolemia is the term for high levels of blood cholesterol. You get cholesterol in two ways. Your body makes some of it, and the rest comes from cholesterol in animal products that you eat, such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, cheese and whole milk. Food from plants like fruits, vegetables and cereals doesnt have cholesterol. Some foods that dont contain animal products may contain trans-fats, which cause your body to make more cholesterol. Foods with saturated fats also cause the body to make more cholesterol.Cholesterol and othe r fats cant dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are two kinds that you need to know about. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as the "bad" cholesterol. Too much LDL cholesterol can clog your arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as the "good" cholesterol. Your body makes HDL cholesterol for your protection. It carries cholesterol outside from your arteries. Studies suggest that high levels of HDL cholesterol reduce your risk of heart attack.     Whats the Difference Between LDL and HDL Cholesterol?Why LDL cholesterol is considered "bad"?When too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can s wretchedly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. unitedly with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. T his condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a change artery, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. The levels of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the blood are measured to appraise the risk of having a heart attack. LDL cholesterol of less than 100 mg/dL is the optimal level. Less than 130 mg/dL is coterminous optimal for close people. A high LDL... ...ce the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dL. Half of all Americans age 20 and older have cholesterol levels that are too high (200 mg/dL or higher). The good countersign is you can make many lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. To reduce cholesterol in your blood, eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, lose weight if you need to and exercise for a total of at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week. Some people may also need to take medicine, because changing their diet isnt e nough. If youve been prescribed medication or sure to make lifestyle changes to help manage your cholesterol, carefully follow your doctors recommendations.Learn the facts about cholesterol have regular screenings and, if you need to lower your cholesterol level, take with your healthcare professionals to set up a plan. Reduce your risk of heart attack take responsibility for managing your cholesterol levels. By lowering your blood cholesterol level, youll cut your risk for heart disease, heart attack and strokeUnderstandingAndControllingCholesterolBy Shelton Davis