According to the American Heart Association, approximately 102.2 million Americans have elevated cholesterol levels. While cholesterol is an important component of a healthy functioning body, an excess can be negative to your health. Too much cholesterol can contribute to chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Knowledge is power and knowing all you can about cholesterol can provide you with the ability to prevent disease and improve your health.
Types of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a substance made up of lipids, phospholipids, triglycerides and proteins; because lipids cannot freely move about inside of your blood, they are transported by protein molecules. You have two main types of lipoprotein molecules inside your bloodstream: HDL and LDL. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, carries cholesterol through the blood and back to the liver. Once at the liver, it is used as bile, then excreted as waste. HDL is linked to a decreased risk for heart disease, because it contributes to reducing cholesterol's effect on plaque buildup, therefore, it is known as "good" cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, moves cholesterol through the blood and delivers it to bodily tissues that need it. LDL has become known as "bad" cholesterol because it contributes to plaque buildup in your arteries.
Sources
Cholesterol is produced by your body and found in food as well. Your body's cells can sense when cholesterol supplies are running low. In order to increase levels, cells produce cholesterol and increase cholesterol receptor activity of their membranes in order to take in cholesterol flowing through your blood. Your liver is also a cholesterol-producing organ, able to produce enough cholesterol for itself and the other cells of your body that need it. Dietary sources of cholesterol come from animal-based foods only. This includes meat and dairy products. Plant-based foods do not contain any cholesterol.
Cholesterol Levels
Your cholesterol levels can give you an insight into the health of your cardiovascular system. Too much cholesterol can contribute to heart disease, so keeping it under control is part of staying healthy and living well. When your cholesterol is tested, you will get three readings back. Total cholesterol is the cumulative amount of cholesterol that is inside your blood, from all the different types. This number is best under 200 mg/dL. Your LDL cholesterol is another level worth monitoring; it should be kept under 100 mg/dL. Your HDL cholesterol is better higher. For women, HDL should be above 50 mg/dL and for men it should remain above 40 mg/dL. Ideally, HDL levels should be kept above 60 mg/dL.
Factors That Affect Cholesterol
Your age, gender, family history, diet, activity level and weight all affect your blood cholesterol levels. As you age, you are more likely to have elevated cholesterol. Menopause marks a turning point for a woman's cholesterol levels. After menopause, women are more likely to have an increase in LDL levels. Since cholesterol is produced by the body, your genetics also play a factor. Certain genes in families may trigger the body to produce an excess of cholesterol. Eating a diet high in fat, cholesterol and excess calories also contributes to cholesterol levels. Being physically inactive contributes to rising LDL cholesterol and may reduce HDL cholesterol levels. Being at an unhealthy weight, whether just overweight or obese, contributes to rising cholesterol levels as well.
References
- "Exercise Physiology"; George A. Brooks, Thomas D. Fahey, Kenneth M. Baldwin; 2005
- Harvard School of Public Health: Understanding Cholesterol; Mason W. Freeman, M.D; 2005
- MSUCares.com; What Foods Contain Cholesterol; March 2005
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute; High Blood Cholesterol; June 2005
- American Heart Association; What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean; 2010
- American Heart Association; Cholesterol Statistics; 2011
