Pros And Cons Of Cholesterol

Dairy should not be a primary food group on the dietary guidelines set by the government because of its many negative effects on human health (given that people care about their health and the health of those around them). Dairy and other animal products are the only food sources which contain cholesterol. Arguments have been made saying that humans need to consume cholesterol in order to have a healthy balance of fats; these arguments fail to acknowledge that our bodies naturally produce all the cholesterol that it needs. And many studies have been conducted to support the theory that consumption of dietary cholesterol overloads arteries and can cause heart disease, artery disease, as well as sudden heart attacks. The Department of Community Health and Preventative Medicine at Northwestern University Medical School worked to interpret an international study based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. The overall conclusion was that “…dietary cholesterol levels are consistently related to CHD (coronary heart disease) mortality rates” (Stamler). A study conducted by Lena Ohlsson at the Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Nutrition within the prestigious Lund University in Sweden also linked dietary cholesterol and milk fat with artery disease and other metabolic disorders. In short, the abstract of her lab report said that low-density lipoprotein (LDL)—“bad” cholesterol—was found to be directly associated with coronary artery

People with high cholesterol are at greater risk of developing heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. People with diets high in saturated fats---like those in meat, dairy and eggs---are more likely to have high cholesterol levels. To reduce cholesterol, the American Heart Association recommends limiting the intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol, and eating more plant-based foods.

“You're more likely to have high cholesterol that can lead to heart disease if you have any of these risk factors such as smoking, obesity, large waist circumference, poor diet, lack of exercise and diabetes.” (Mayo Clinic Staff)

Cholesterol is a waxy lipid found in all body cells; it has a structure containing multiple chemical rings and is found only in foods of animal origin.

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,

High cholesterol can be avoided with many different easy ways that benefits the body in other ways. According to studies from NHBLI, saturated fats and diets high in cholesterol should be avoided to lower cholesterol. Saturated fat is the main reason of high cholesterol. Saturated means that means that it contains liquid, or is a a watery type substance. Eating cholesterol directly is also a main reason for high cholesterol after a person eats a meal that is very high in cholesterol. Studies from NHBLI prove that being more physically active can reduce the chances of high

LDL carries plaque which attaches to the walls of arteries and beings to build up. The plaque is a combination of cholesterol, fat, calcium and other substances. As it builds up over time, it hardens and the arteries become narrow, a condition called atherosclerosis. The blood cannot flow as freely and oxygen cannot get throughout the body as it should. If the plaque ruptures or breaks open, a blood clot can form. If the clot becomes large enough, blood flow is impaired or blocked completely. You may experience extreme pressure or pain in the chest called angina or possible pain in the shoulders, jaw, arms, back, or the discomfort associated with indigestion. This is a heart attack. Heart damage or even death may result if blood flow is not quickly restored. However, arteries leading to other parts of the body can have plaque buildup resulting in strokes, carotid artery disease, and peripheral artery disease. On the other hand, if the HDL is higher, the risk for heart disease is lower.

High cholesterol and high blood pressure, caused by a poor diet, can lead to the obstruction of arteries by plaques, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.

The role of diet is a very important aspect in the development and prevention of cardiovascular disease. High levels of cholesterol in the blood is strongly associated 3wit coronary artery disease. If you have a high level of cholesterol in your blood, you need to work with your doctor to make it lower, or face a high risk of heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular event. Most circulating cholesterol is produced by the liver and cannot be broken down as easily and by all means you should avoid trans fats which are found in many fast foods, junk foods, and commercial processed foods. Hydrogenated vegetable oils like margarine, certain coffee creamers, and vegetable shortening are also linked to heart disease. Some researchers suggest

Cholesterol is another contributory factor towards atherosclerosis. Cholesterol is carried in the blood by specific proteins, which direct its metabolism. In particular Coronary Heart Disease is linked to low density lipoproteins (LDLs) which carries 70% of blood cholesterol. A high level of LDL cholesterol in the blood [especially if oxidised] can lead to deposits in the arteries, which cause narrowing. High density lipoproteins (HDLs) on the other hand are beneficial as it transports cholesterol from places where there is too much to the liver where it can be disposed of.

Following a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables, high grain/high fiber foods and low in foods that contain cholesterol, is a good way to help keep the body healthy. Keeping the level of LDL, low-density lipoprotein low and the level of HDL, high-density lipoprotein high, will help to prevent heart

Cholesterol can lead up to coronary heart disease. This is where deposits of lipids cause plaque build-up restricting the blood flow to the heart which

“Atherosclerotic coronary arterial obstruction is when there’s a build-up on the walls of the coronary arteries. This build-up of plaque or fatty deposits are called atheroma, it’s made up of cholesterol particles and other waste substances in the blood, which then begins to accumulate on the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart”[II]. ‘Cholesterol is a fat made by the liver from the saturated fat in your diet. Cholesterol is essential for healthy cells”. [IV] “Cholesterol is carried in the bloodstream by molecules called lipoproteins. There are several different types of lipoproteins, but two of the main ones are low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL)” [IV]. These break up into particles and start to get imbedded to the walls of the arteries.

What is beta-glucan? Beta-glucan is a key component in soluble dietary fiber that may reduce cholesterol levels and blood –serum levels. Beta-glucan is found in the endosperm of oats and has been studied for its cholesterol reducing properties. When consumed, beta-glucan forms a thick mass during digestion. The mass is a gel like structure that decreases cholesterol absorption and re-absorption of bile salts.1 Cholesterol is needed to make bile salts, so when absorption is blocked the body will take cholesterol from the bloodstream to compensate for lost bile salts, thus lowering cholesterol levels.2 What is cholesterol? The body makes cholesterol, though some comes from food, and is used to make hormones, vitamin D, and aids in digestion. Cholesterol is carried through the blood by lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins: low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL is considered the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove LDL, the “bad”, cholesterol. High levels of LDL can cause plaque build up within the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. High intake of saturated and trans fats will increase LDL levels and cause plaque formation. As

Cholesterol is needed by almost every cell in our bodies and is especially important for brain function. About 25% of our total body’s cholesterol is in our brain and the fatty myelin sheath that coats every nerve cell in our bodies is about 20% cholesterol. It is an important player in the production of sex and stress hormones and helps skill cells stay hydrated and maintain elasticity. It is also used by the body as a raw material in the healing process. In fact, the body will boost cholesterol production in response to a chronic infection or inflammation. The USDA removed the cholesterol dietary recommendation in 2015,