Cholesterol : What is it ?
Cholesterol is actually a crystalline
substance consisting of fats. It is found naturally in the brain,
nerves, liver, blood and bile of both human and vertebrate animals.
Cholesterol is necessary for proper functioning of the body and is
produced mainly in the liver. It is used by the cells to build membranes
and it is also used to produce sex hormones and in aiding digestion.
This natural cholesterol travels from the liver through the blood stream
where it is delivered to the cells. The cells take what they need and
the excess cholesterol remains in the blood stream. Excessive
cholesterol forms plaque, which sticks to artery walls and may
eventually cause heart disease.
Researchers have discovered that there are
two types of cholesterol: Low Density Lipoproteins (LDLs) and High
Density Lipoproteins (HDLs).
Low Density Lipoproteins LDLs are bad
cholesterol and are obtained by dietary means from animals products. The
body cannot use this type of Cholesterol because it is in a form that
the body does not want and it often ends up as plaque formation on
artery walls. No matter how much is obtained through the diet, the body
continues to produce its owns natural or serum cholesterol which it can
use.
HDL are good cholesterol; as High Density
Lipoproteins removes excess cholesterol from the blood and tissues.
Normal range for cholesterol :
Total Cholesterol < 5.2 mmol/l
HDL Cholesterol > 1.04 mmol/l
LDL Cholesterol < 2.6 mmol/l
Triglycerides
< 1.7 mmol/l
Total Cholesterol / HDL ratio < 5.0