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What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a word that is usually associated with serious health risks, especially heart disease. Hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia are other names used for high cholesterol. Consumers are constantly barraged with the message that cholesterol is bad for the body.

So, what exactly is cholesterol, and why is it bad for us? Cholesterol normally occurs in our bodies, and is a necessary ingredient for the body to function properly. It’s a waxy, fat-like substance present in almost every organ. Only a small amount is needed by our bodies to metabolize fats, and provide crucial components, including Vitamin D and bile acids for the synthesis of enzymes and hormones.

Cholesterol comes from the food we eat, but it also a by-product of our metabolism. High cholesterol is caused in two ways. One factor, genetics, is out of our control. The other cause of elevated cholesterol has to do with lifestyle factors, which can be modified.

Familial hypercholesterolemia causes extremely high levels of the most harmful kind of cholesterol, LDLs. This is the result of a defect in the gene which regulates cholesterol receptors in our body. When the body’s call cannot detect cholesterol, the biochemical message to make more is sent, mistakenly thinking there is not enough. This creates a serious risk on heart disease. Age, gender and family history can obviously not be changed.

Several lifestyle choices influence cholesterol and modification of these factors can play a big role in improving cholesterol levels. Most people know that diet is an important determinant of cholesterol levels. Not surprisingly, weight and physical activity level effect cholesterol levels. Reducing weight to a healthy level and participating in moderated exercise has been shown to significantly reduce cholesterol.

How cholesterol does damage

High cholesterol causes damage by it sticking to itself to form clumps. When these clumps attach to blood vessel walls, they are called plaques. This causes narrowing of the arteries and decreased blood flow through the vessels. If a plaque is knocked loose from the blood vessels wall, it can travel throughout the circulation to a smaller vessel, get lodged and cause a blockage. The surrounding tissue gets less blood perfusion, thus less oxygen, nutrients and waste removal. Tissue that does not get enough blood flow dies and becomes necrotic. When this occurs in the arteries that supply the heart, coronary disease results. Heart attacks, strokes and thromboses occur because of the decreased blood supply, called atherosclerosis. Thus, lowering cholesterol has many significant health benefits.

Other factors have a very minor role in cholesterol levels. Health problems such as thyroid or liver disease may elevate cholesterol. Some medications can raise cholesterol. Stress is another factor which has been shown to raise cholesterol.

The good v. the bad: HDL v. LDL

Cholesterol is actually the term used to describe a group of substances. Many names are used to refer to t he different types of cholesterol, so it can sound a bit confusing. High density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides are all varieties of cholesterol. These are the substances your doctor will test to determine if your cholesterol is too high. The terms “good” and “bad” are often used when referring to cholesterol levels, but what does this really means?

Elevated total cholesterol levels are considered to be over 200mg/dL. Between 200-239 mg/dL is considered borderline. Levels of 240 mg/dL or higher are correlated with double the risk of heart disease compared with normal levels. Your total cholesterol is made up of the following components.

The Good Cholesterol

High density lipoprotein or HDL carries cholesterol back to the liver for elimination, so it helps keep cholesterol from building up in the walls of the arteries. The lower the amount in your blood, the higher your chance of heart disease.

Levels of 40mg/dL: Considered indicative of increased risk for heart disease

Levels of 60mg/dL or more: Seems to be protective from heart disease.

The Bad Cholesterol

Low density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol is the main source of damaging buildup and blockage in your arteries. Thus, the more LDL cholesterol you have in your blood, the greater your risk of heart disease. Reducing your LDL, or “bad” cholesterol is the most important factor in decreasing the risk of heart disease.

Levels of 100-129 mg/dL: Considered normal

Above 190mg/dL: Dangerously high

The Ugly

Triglycerides, or Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL) Normal levels of trigylcerides are 150 mg/dL or less.