Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that travels through our blood stream in small packages called Lipoproteins. There are two different types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol through your body; low-density lipoproteins (LDL), “bad” cholesterol, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), “good” cholesterol. (1) Our body’s make all the cholesterol we need, however it is also found in food we eat, therefore making, maintaining a good cholesterol level difficult for some people. When one talks about cholesterol most think about the health of your heart, while this is very important, cholesterol has other important bodily functions as well, such as, hormone production, cell membrane support, and bile production.
LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to a thick, hard deposit that can clog arteries and make them less flexible, known as plaque. If the plaque builds and forms a clot that blocks a narrowed artery, one could develop a condition called peripheral artery disease, which is when plaque buildup narrows an artery supplying blood to the legs. One could also be diagnosed with atherosclerosis, this is a condition that is caused by a clot that blocks a narrowed artery that can result in a stroke or even a heart attack. (2)
HDL is considered “good” cholesterol because it helps to remove LDL cholesterol from the arteries. HDL carries the LDL cholesterol away from the arteries, back to the liver, where it is broken down and passed through the body. Nearly
High cholesterol level is a condition in which the concentration of high density lipids (HDL) specifically cholesterol, has significantly increased in the blood. The build up of these lipids in arteries reduce the supply of blood and hence, oxygen to the heart. Consequently, high cholesterol can lead to stroke or heart attack. Apo – Atorvastatin (Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets) is a medication that helps lower the concentration of cholesterol and other HDL in the blood (Apo-Atorvastatin, 2011) and is manufactured by Apotex Inc.
The Framingham study and others that followed showed us that HDL-cholesterol is an independent cardiovascular risk factor and that the increase of HDL-cholesterol of only 10 mg/dL leads to a risk reduction of 2-3% (PubMed.gov, Nov. 2012). Higher levels of HDL cholesterol result in a risk of cardiovascular disease closer to the default risk. Cardiovascular disease risk increases then plateaus with greater ratios between total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Thus, higher levels of HDL cholesterol proportionate to levels of total cholesterol relate to lower cardiovascular disease risk (Lecture #3). Having a HDL-cholesterol of 60 mg/dL and above is the best place for a person to be. A bit lower, but considered a good HDL-cholesterol level standing is 40-49 mg/dL for men and 50-59 mg/dL for women. All three of us, me, my mother, and the case study Danny are in good standing regarding HDL-cholesterol levels, my mother with 55 mg/dL, me with 50 mg/dL, and Danny with 40
In a study conducted in 1985 observing primates, it was determined that the major effect of dietary cholesterol is its LDL raising effects. High intakes of cholesterol increase the number of circulating LDL’s and it can also change its size and composition. [12] It was during this time period that the mechanisms by which SFA are thought to increase blood cholesterol concentrations came about. One mechanism for the increase in LDL cholesterol levels is the suppression of LDL receptor activity. Studies in tissue cultures have shown that increasing the cholesterol content of a cell will down-regulate synthesis of LDL receptors. [13] This will lead to an increase in concentration of blood cholesterol. Another cause for an increase in blood cholesterol concentration through intake of dietary SFA is the composition of the newly secreted lipoproteins. With a high saturated fat intake, the LDL’s become rich in cholesterol esters, leaving the triglycerides in the blood. [14] The use of non-human primates in
High cholesterol is one of the most common diseases that occur in today's society. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 71 million American adults have high LDL "bad" cholesterol. When cholesterol levels are normal, they normally do not harm the body since cholesterol can be beneficial to the body. However, if excess amounts of cholesterol are in the body, it can become a threat. "Cholesterol is a waxy substance that plays an important role in building cell membranes and sex hormones" (Overview). The certain types of food you consume on a daily basis may affect the cholesterol levels in your blood. There are two types of cholesterol, which is your HDL (high density lipoprotein), "good", cholesterol, and your LDL (low density lipoprotein), which are the "bad" cholesterol. It is critical that an individual maintains his or her cholesterol levels because he or she can increase their risk of cardiovascular disease. LDLs are known to carry cholesterol into your arteries and clog them, which can cause strokes and heart attacks. On the other hand, HDL, help eliminate cholesterol from the arterial vessels and transport it to the liver, which is then defecated with body waste. According to Sroda, an individual's total cholesterol should be less than 200, LDL levels should be less than 130,
Our body naturally produces cholesterol through the liver, we can also obtain cholesterol from consumed products. We need small amounts of cholesterol to produce hormones, bile, and vitamin D. Cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in the bloodstream once it is inside the body. It needs to be carried by two types of lipoproteins called low density lipoproteins(LDL) and high density lipoproteins(HDL). The more cholesterol we consume, the more LDL and HDL we produce. HDL is
There is a large set of differences between HDL and LDL, even they are both types of cholesterol. According to About.com, HDL is mostly composed with protein with small amounts of cholesterol. HDL has more protein in it than cholesterol This makes HDL more healthy, rather than being harmful to the body. LDL is a low density protein that is mainly composed of cholesterol. When LDL levels are too high, it can create major problems for the body. LDL has less nutrients and more cholesterol. HDL is known as the “good cholesterol”. HDL benefits the body by replacing the harmful substances in the body, giving it the reputation of the “good cholesterol”. LDL creates problems for the body, building plaque and making the body weak and feeble.
When LDL or the cholesterol crossed the endothelium, which is already damaged, it will force the cholesterol to move through the artery wall. This will force the white blood cells in the body to stream, and because of that, it would digest the LDL. When this process goes on for a very long time, it would constitute a plaque to the artery wall.
A routine cholesterol screening involves a simple blood test. An LDL number of 190 mg/dL is considered high, but an HDL level below 40 mg/dL is too low and is a risk for heart disease. The levels of both HDL and LDL are added together for a total cholesterol number. The risk breakdown for the levels are;
While it is beneficial to acknowledge the connection between cholesterol and heart health, it is equally critical to take into account their general contexts and ponder the countless
Cholesterol is a lipid that helps manufacture vitamin D on the surface of the skin, produces hormones, maintains cell membranes, and possibly helps cell connections in the brain.3 Based on what is known about calcium transporting throughout the body we can infer that cholesterol also has a similar process. When there is an imbalance of cholesterol homeostasis we can have high density lipoprotein (HDL) which is known as good cholesterol, or low-density lipoproteins (LDL) which is known as bad cholesterol. Lipoproteins differ in size, shape, composition, function, and contribute to vascular
Sugerman, Deborah Tolmach. "Blood Lipids." Jama Patient Page Hyperlipidemia. N.p., 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.
Use the equation of HDL + LDL + 20% of the Triglyceride level to calculate your total cholesterol level. This number should be less than 180 mg/dL for healthy total cholesterol. Your “bad cholesterol” or low-density-lipoprotein or commonly known as LDL levels should be on the low side. Levels of less than 100 mg/dL are the best levels. 100- 129 mg/mL are close to ideal. Borderline high would be levels of 130-159 mg/mL, high risk levels are 160-189 mg/dL and the worse, highest risk levels would be over 190 mg/dL. (6) The American Heart Association or AHA guidelines snow state that LDL levels are no longer a guideline for preventing heart attacks and no longer need to be taken into account. The level is strictly used to calculate your total cholesterol level. The AHA guidelines also state that people taking statins no longer need to have their LDL levels under a certain level. In “good” Cholesterol or High-density-lipoprotein also known as HDL we look at higher level as being healthier. For Men their healthy levels need to be over 40 mg/dL and
There are many risk factors which facilitate the development of atherosclerosis; abnormal level of blood lipids is just one of them. Blood lipids consisted of three components including cholesterol, triglycerides, and two major forms of lipoproteins: high density lipoproteins (HDLs) and Low density lipoproteins (LDLs). In addition, one of the critical components which determine the degree of blockage on the arterial walls is the quantity of
The good form of this sterol in the body is your HDL, because it picks up all the bad form in your body and store it in the liver to be converted into the bile then exits out.
Lipoproteins are used to help deposit or remove types of lipids within the body. They have the job of transporting cholesterol and triglycerides which is within the blood. Lipoproteins reducing the cholesterol in the blood will help decrease the risk of types of heart diseases. High density lipoproteins have the job of removing all cholesterol from the walls. Low and very low-density lipoproteins work together to help deposit and reduce the narrowing of the arterial walls. The lipid profile test is used to help the personal trainer measure the cholesterol within the blood plasma. This can help the trainer monitor the client. The test helps to measure the risk of the clients getting coronary heart disease. There are three different ways to