Cholesterol (AMAL)

By : AMAL

Cholesterol

             Cholesterol is an important ingredient that is produced in the liver. Every day, the liver produces 1,000 milligrams of cholesterol per day. Cholesterol is important to help make vitamin D, hormones, build cell walls and help develop bile salts that aid in digestion of fatty foods (Gavin, 2009). With the amount of cholesterol that is produced daily, there is no need for additional intake. However, cholesterol is found in nearly all foods, including burgers, bacon and cheese. Mainly, cholesterol can be found in all fatty foods that contain lipids because lipids are a kind of cholesterol (Gavin, 2009). While cholesterol is an important ingredient for the body, too much can be dangerous.

            There are two primary kinds of cholesterol. One is HDL and the other is known as LDL. HDL is an acronym for high density lipoproteins. While LDL is an acronym for low density lipoproteins. HDL may be referred to as good cholesterol and LDL as bad cholesterol. The difference between both kinds of cholesterol is the effect that it has on the body. HDL helps remove cholesterol from the blood vessels and travels back to the liver where it can be processed to exit through the excretory system. LDL on the other hand, is a cholesterol that is likely to cause blood clots in the vessels. As a result, it sustains the body from allowing blood to flow as it is supposed to.

            Since HDL is the good cholesterol, there are not too many concerns with it. Some benefits of HDL include the fact that it can decrease the risk of potentially obtaining heart disease as well as coronary artery disease. It also helps prevent atherosclerosis (Hellesvig-Gaskell, 2010). On the other hand, LDL has a little bit more risks than benefits associated. The medical concern that rises with LDL is the diseases that it may cause. People with high LDL are at risk for coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease, and obesity. When there is an excessive consumption of foods that contain LDL, plaque forms in the body which causes the arteries to become narrows, as a result people are susceptible for illness.

            There are different ways to help improve the overall balance of cholesterol. It is most important to eat and sustain a healthier diet. Refraining from foods that contain a high amount of lipids can reduce consumption of foods that have high LDL. Choose to eat fish and consume drinks such as wine, in moderation can help sustain HDL levels of cholesterol. Knowing what cholesterol is can be one of the primary ways that one’s health can be sustained. Keeping a good balance of HDL is important while trying to refrain from excessive LDL levels.