Cholesterol, The Enemy We Cannot Live Without
by Valerian D.
zone3
Cholesterol is one of the body's lipids (fats).
It is the most
common organic molecule disseminated in our entire body, including the
brain. Life is impossible in absence of immediate and abundant reserves of
cholesterol in our bodies.
Cholesterol is an essential component
of the membrane surrounding every cell. The task of cholesterol in this
fatty double layer of the cell wall membrane is a very important one. It
must assign the proper value to the fluid level and membrane rigidity for
both cell function and stability.
In association with another
lipid, triglyceride, cholesterol is an essential constituent in the
structure of cells and are also used in making hormones and producing
energy.
Then if cholesterol is our enemy, it is a strange one we
cannot live without.
Cholesterol is made by our liver mainly
(about 1,000 milligrams a day). But it is also produced by cells lining
the small intestine and by other individual cells. In very simple words we
can consider there are two types of cholesterol: a 'good' type called HDL
(High Density Lipoprotein) and a 'bad' type called LDL ( Low Density
Lipoprotein).
HDL has a positive effect in cholesterol tissue
reducing and taking it back to the liver for regeneration. You may not
believe, but HDL actually protects our body against atherosclerosis. LDL
may contribute to diseases of the arteries such as cardiovascular disease.
We all know there is a permanent fear of cholesterol. But the real
fact is that it is the proportion of LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol
that influences our cardiovascular risk and especially the point to which
atherosclerosis becomes likely to cause problems.
If
HDL-cholesterol level can be raised by physical exercising,
LDL-cholesterol level can be lowered eating a low fat diet and, if
required by a medical prescription, by taking medication.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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