Everything About Cholesterol
September 18, 2009
All of us are aware about the ill effects of high cholesterol level in the blood stream. However, many of us do not clearly know how much cholesterol is harmful for the body, and the role cholesterol plays in the body.
Role of cholesterol
Cholesterol is a wax-like fatty substance that our body manufactures naturally in the liver. We also attain some cholesterol from food sources. Our body needs cholesterol to perform certain functions. Cholesterol is an important component for maintaining the structure and function of the cell membrane. It supports cell membrane permeability.
Cholesterol is required for manufacture of hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, androgen and progesterone. It forms a protective sheath around nerves, preventing damage of the nervous system.
Cholesterol is needed for the manufacture of vitamin D in the body. It also helps the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Cholesterol is also required for bile production in the liver. For healthy living, cholesterol is therefore necessary for our body.
However, cholesterol level higher than the normal level needed for healthy living is harmful for the body. Excess cholesterol deposits in the walls of the arteries, forming plagues. Plague accumulation narrows the artery, developing atherosclerosis. Clogged arteries are responsible for heart diseases, heart attack and strokes.
HDL vs. LDL cholesterol
Cholesterol is comprised of two components – HDL or high-density lipoprotein and LDL or low-density lipoprotein. In common parlance, HDL is known as good cholesterol and LDL is called the bad cholesterol. LDL is known as bad cholesterol owing to its tendency to deposit in the walls of the blood vessels.
HDL or good cholesterol helps to transport cholesterol present in different parts of the body back to the liver, from where they are eliminated from the body. HDL is therefore needed to drive LDL out of the body.
Desirable cholesterol level
Your total cholesterol level should be less than 200mg/dL. The amount of HDL should be at least 40mg/dL. HDL of 60mg/dL or more is considered beneficial for the heart. The level of LDL in the blood stream should be less than 130mg/dL. However, you should try to keep it below 100mg/dL.
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