I doubt if there is anyone who hasn't heard of or got worried about this chemical compound that is often characterised as a villain.
Cholesterol has a bad reputation because its excess in our body is associated with heart ailments.
However, it is an important chemical compound for a healthy body.
It is found in blood and tissues, and its chemical formula is C27H46O.
It comes from two sources: our liver and our diet.
Our liver produces all the cholesterol we need for various functions in our body, such as making hormones (like testosterone and oestrogen), vitamin D and fat-dissolving bile acids.
Cholesterol in our body also comes from the foods we eat, especially animal products such as meat, poultry, dairy and eggs.
These foods contain what is called dietary cholesterol, which is absorbed by our intestines and transported to our liver.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): This is the so-called "bad" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from the liver to the cells and tissues that need it. However, if there is too much LDL cholesterol in the blood, it can get deposited on the walls of the arteries and form plaques. These plaques can narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL): This is the so-called "good" cholesterol because it carries excess cholesterol from the cells and tissues back to the liver for disposal. HDL cholesterol helps to prevent plaque formation and protect against heart disease and stroke.
The level of cholesterol in our blood is influenced by many factors, such as our genes, our diet, our physical activity, our weight, our smoking status, our alcohol consumption and some medications.
A blood test can measure the amount of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. The results can help us assess our risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
Images from Pixabay
The information provided in this post has been obtained from multiple, authentic resources. However, it is presented in an abridged format and might not have all the details. Therefore, before acting on any information, readers are requested to exercise caution and do further research.
This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023. I am also on A2Z April Challenge.
Definitely, see your doctor or health-care professional. They can do all the tests, prescribe drugs, and offer advice.
ReplyDeleteHi John - Yes, absolutely. One need not get paranoid, but regular health checkup will go a long way in taking preventive steps just in case something is wrong.
DeleteI think to also meet a doctor and get a proper diagnosis of utmost importance. Nice posts on health.
ReplyDeleteHi Pratibha - Absolutely. The regular checkups will help us know where we stand, and we can take any required corrective measures.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteGood to be reminded! YAM xx
Hi Yamini - One component that's so critical for our good health.
DeleteAt least we know now not all cholesterol is bad. But one must be careful.
ReplyDeleteStriking the right balance is the challenge.
DeleteHi Pradeep - we certainly need to be aware of our own body's need. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteYes, true.
ReplyDeleteAs of last year, mine thankfully is in a healthy range.
ReplyDeleteThat's good.
DeleteIn USA, the better your insurance, the doctors will add more tests
ReplyDeleteHere too, insurance does play a role, but very often, it's left to the discretion of the patient.
DeleteRegular exercise is also beneficial in control LDL levels.
ReplyDeleteHi Misky - Yes, exercise is very important for good health.
DeleteCorrectly said, cholesterol is made by the liver and we can consume it through animal products. That is the reason it's laughable when there is cholesterol free rice bran oil available in the market.
ReplyDeleteHi Anshu - Cholesterol is important for our good health. But the problem is when there is too much of it than what is necessary.
ReplyDeleteNot a science person but this helped me to know that cholesterol are important too. I always had this notion that one should completely avoid foods that emits cholesterol. Thanks for this insightful post.
ReplyDeleteHi Nazish - Thank you for dropping by. Cholesterol is also needed, but we have to be careful to ensure that it's within limits.
ReplyDeleteI only knew the "bad" part of cholesterol! I never knew your liver produced it and how the body then used it!
ReplyDelete