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CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol is a combination of steroid and alcohol, a lipid found in cell membranes of all body tissues. It is a waxy substance produced by the liver which enters body through saturated fats. Cholesterol is water insoluble and travels in blood by lipoproteins-water soluble proteins carrying cholesterol internally.
Cholesterol is a steroid essential to life. It is a starting ingredient for synthesis of hormones as esrogens, aldosterone, testosterone, progesterone and is also precursor for synthesizes of vitamin D and bile acids. Major sources of cholesterol are eggs, poultry, beef and plants have traces of cholesterol.
There are two types of cholesterol: good and bad. The good cholesterol is high density lipoprotein (HDL) and bad cholesterol is low density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL carries unneeded cholesterol away from cells and back to liver. LDLs are main transporters of cholesterol in bloodstream. They carry fat out of lever to blood vessels.
A blood sample test measures cholesterol level. The optimal total cholesterol level should be 200mg/dL. Not only total cholesterol level should be in limits but both LDL and HDL should within their range.
Causes of high cholesterol
Several drugs and diseases causes high cholesterol and heredity as well as high fat diet are responsible. Excess intake of alcohol, physical inactivity, heredity, smoking, diabetes, obesity, age and gender and mental stress are some of the important factors leading to high cholesterol levels.
Dangers of high cholesterol levels
Elevated levels of cholesterol also known as hypercholesterolemia bring risks of heart diseases, angina, chest pain and strokes. Excess cholesterol in blood narrows arteries known as atherosclerosis. It completely blocks blood low and results in heart attack or even death.
Lowering of high cholesterol
Statin drugs are available for lowering cholesterol but are combined with some serious side effects. Natural way to lower cholesterol is to have low cholesterol diet and exercise regularly. Some of the ayurvedic treatments for reducing cholesterol levels are garlic capsules, shuddha guggulu and Arjuna capsules. Healthy lifestyle and diet is key to prevention of high cholesterol levels.
There are no usual symptoms of high blood cholesterol. High blood cholesterol levels don’t make one feel sick infact shows signs over the years. Everyone above 20 years should get cholesterol levels checked at least once every 5 years. Though high cholesterol levels are common among people above 20 years but still children who are obese, exercise less and eat unhealthy food have chances of high blood cholesterol.