Cholesterol is a necessary substance in the body that helps build healthy cells, protect nerves, and create hormones. It is a fat, or lipid, that circulates in your bloodstream and is either naturally produced in the body or ingested from animal products. Normally, the body already creates the proper amount of cholesterol to function without outside influence. When there is too much cholesterol in the body, the effects become harmful and increase the chances of developing heart disease.
Types of Cholesterol
The three types of cholesterol carried in the bloodstream are low-density lipoprotein, known as LDL, very-low-density lipoprotein, called VLDL, and high-density lipoprotein, called HDL. A lipoprotein is a cholesterol-protein structure. LDLs transport cholesterol to cells from the liver, where it is produced. VLDLs are composed of triglycerides--another type of fat in the body--and make the LDLs larger. The function of HDLs are to return excessive cholesterol to the liver. The American Heart Association notes that LDL is commonly referred to as "bad" cholesterol and HDLs are "good."
How Cholesterol Harms the Body
Atherosclerosis--when arteries harden and narrow--can occur if too much LDL collects in blood vessels. As LDL floats in the bloodstream, it may form a plaque on vessel walls that can eventually block an artery. The body treats the blockage as a foreign object and sets off the immune system. From inflammation, the plaques on the arterial wall can burst and form a clot. Clotting leads to chest pain, strokes and heart attacks.
Risk Factors
High cholesterol is not discriminating and can affect anyone. In 2010, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control define the minimum level of high cholesterol at 240 mg/dL. They also state that having high cholesterol levels double the risk of developing heart disease, which according to the National Institutes of Health, ranks highest as a cause of death in the United States. Overall, the amount of cholesterol produced in the body depends on genetics and lifestyle. The risk factors for high cholesterol are smoking, being obese, consuming a high-fat diet, not exercising, having a high blood pressure, and being diabetic. These factors all affect the health of the blood vessels.
Sources of Cholesterol
A quarter of cholesterol comes from animal products in the diet and the rest is naturally produced in the body. It varies from person-to-person how much the diet can affect the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Nevertheless, a diet high in saturated fat, trans fats, and dietary cholesterol increases blood cholesterol levels.
Prevention
According to the Cleveland Clinic, every person has a different definition for a healthy cholesterol level. The factors that affect this level are a person's overall health, activity level, age, risk for high disease, total cholesterol, and LDL to HDL ratio. People with high cholesterol do not have usually have symptoms so it is recommended to regularly visit a health care provider for a blood diagnostic. Lowering cholesterol levels will require lifestyle, dietary changes and sometimes drug therapy.
