High cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and it has acquired quite a bad reputation. However, cholesterol is very misunderstood. It does not solely come from food and it is not your enemy. Cholesterol is a substance that your body in fact produces and requires to function optimally. Better understanding your cholesterol; what it's made of, how it's acquired, and how your body uses it can help you stay healthy and practice prevention.
Identification
Cholesterol is a fat that's also called lipids. It is classified as a sterol, which can be manufactured by your body, or obtained from ingesting animal food products such as meat, butter and eggs. Cholesterol is comprised of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. It is fatty and wax-like and does not mix well with your water-based blood. To be transported and used by your body, cholesterol combines with other fats and proteins to form lipoproteins that are easily carried in your bloodstream.
Function
Your body uses cholesterol in the formation of cell walls, to aid with food digestion, and in the production of critical vitamins and hormones. It is a vital component to your overall health. The cholesterol your body requires is obtained in two ways: manufactured by your body and ingested in the food you eat. Your body is able to adjust the amount of cholesterol produced according to its needs and what you take in via food.
Significance
Cholesterol comes in two forms: low-density lipoproteins also known as LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoproteins, called HDL or "good cholesterol. "Bad" cholesterol is most affected by the saturated fat and cholesterol you eat. It carries needed cholesterol to various parts of the body. High LDL levels in your blood can cause blockages and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. "Good" cholesterol carries unnecessary cholesterol back to the liver and helps to decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease. Exercise can increase your HDL levels while smoking and obesity decrease them.
Misconceptions
Even if you do not eat any cholesterol-containing foods, you can still have high cholesterol and be at risk for cardiovascular disease. You can inherit genes from your relatives that cause your body to overproduce cholesterol, increase your low-density lipoprotein levels and decrease your high-density lipoprotein levels, all of which can substantially elevate your disease risk. Additionally, cholesterol is not age specific. High blood cholesterol can be found in children and adults alike.
Considerations
You cannot feel high cholesterol, but can determine your overall, "good" and "bad" cholesterol levels with simple blood tests. If you have not had your cholesterol levels tested recently, then perhaps a visit to your doctor is in order. Discuss your dietary and lifestyle habits, such as smoking and exercise, with your primary care doctor. This along with your blood work can help you create a healthy cholesterol management plan and decrease your risk of disease.
