 |
Last posts on private forums:  sare  2008-06-16 09:56:33 matthew 2008-04-12 21:25:59 pieniadz 2008-04-12 20:52:26
|
|
 |
|
Last posts on private blogs: matthew 2008-04-12 21:25:17 mary 2008-04-12 19:27:47 |
|
|
|
Lastly added medical terms:
|
|
|
|
You are in: Main Page / Medical articles / Cholesterol / Blood Cholesterol Levels
Blood cholesterol level is the level of fat in blood. Two types of cholesterol "good" HDL and "bad" LDL and triglyceride levels affect our health and physical condition. High levels should be reduced in order to reach desirable normal blood cholesterol levels. A sensible diet and exercises will help you forget about the problem.
Unfortunately, higher than normal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides don't produce any symptoms nor develop any conditions. The levels can be measured only after a patient had undergone specific blood tests. High cholesterol level is believed to be the main cause of coronary atheromatosis which may result in heart attack or myocardial failure. Triglycerides levels seem to play much less important role in atheromatosis creation but they may cause pancreatitis.
Causes
Cholesterol found in organism has got two main sources: liver and foods. The first one is produced in liver whereas the latter comes from food we consume (products of animal origin). The high cholesterol levels are influenced by fatty foods, alcohol abuse, certain liver, thyroid and kidney diseases or diabetes. They can also be genetically induced. The term cholesterol describes several types of lipids present in our organism (cholesterol, phospholipids, free fatty acids).
Cholesterol
Triglycerides are common fats we absorb from food, their high levels are much less dangerous than high cholesterol levels. Triglycerides grow both in diets rich in fat and rich in carbohydrates, as a result of alcohol abuse, diabetes or some kidney diseases. Fats absorbed in food are almost insoluble in our blood. That is why we need a special mechanism to do that. Certain fats bind with proteins called lipoproteins.
There two types of lipoproteins: good and bad, they have totally different roles to fulfill. "Good" lipoproteins are called HDL (high density lipoproteins) and they reduce the risk of occurring stenocardia. "Bad" lipoproteins are called LDL (low density lipoproteins) and they damage blood vessels. 2/3 of lipids that are transferred within blood have the form LDL, whereas the amount of HDL equals to 20-25%.
Many adults have high cholesterol level, people who eat lots of meat and fats are at the biggest risk of having atheromatosis. Vegetarians are more likely to have no cardiac problems at all than ordinary meat-eaters.
What should we do?
1. Quit smoking
2. Practice sports - physical exercises increase the production of good cholesterol HDL
3. Follow a balanced diet - cholesterol concretions can be removed when you follow a sensible diet
4. Don't overuse alcohol and treat liver and kidney diseases - the cholesterol level should decrease.
Diet
Research has proved that Mediterranean diet with lots of bread, vegetables, fruit and fish has got very positive effect on the longevity and health of the person who belongs to the group of risk. Above all, everyone should avoid eating such products as meat, sausage, dairy products, egg yolks.
Added by:
mary
not connected with health care system
Added on:
2008-05-14 14:04:55 ,
Updated:
2008-06-30 15:14:52
Bibliography:
|
|
