Difference between revisions of "Cholesterol"
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'''Cholesterol''' is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. The body needs some cholesterol to work properly but if there is too much in the blood, it can stick to the walls of the [[arteries]]. This is called [[plaque]]. Plaque can narrow the arteries or even block them causing [[atherosclerosis]]. | '''Cholesterol''' is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. The body needs some cholesterol to work properly but if there is too much in the blood, it can stick to the walls of the [[arteries]]. This is called [[plaque]]. Plaque can narrow the arteries or even block them causing [[atherosclerosis]]. | ||
| − | High levels of | + | High levels of cholesterol in the [[blood]] can increase the risk of [[heart]] disease. Cholesterol levels tend to rise as a person gets older. There are usually no signs or symptoms that a person has high blood cholesterol, but it can be detected with a blood test. A person is likely to have high cholesterol if members of their family have it, if they are overweight, or if they eat a lot of fatty foods. |
The best way to lower cholesterol is by exercising more and eating more fruits and vegetables.<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cholesterol.html</ref> | The best way to lower cholesterol is by exercising more and eating more fruits and vegetables.<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cholesterol.html</ref> | ||
Revision as of 04:54, March 10, 2008
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. The body needs some cholesterol to work properly but if there is too much in the blood, it can stick to the walls of the arteries. This is called plaque. Plaque can narrow the arteries or even block them causing atherosclerosis.
High levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol levels tend to rise as a person gets older. There are usually no signs or symptoms that a person has high blood cholesterol, but it can be detected with a blood test. A person is likely to have high cholesterol if members of their family have it, if they are overweight, or if they eat a lot of fatty foods.
The best way to lower cholesterol is by exercising more and eating more fruits and vegetables.[1]
Physicians recognize two types of cholesterol; HDL (high-density lipoproteins) and LDL (low-density lipoproteins). HDL is considered to be "good" cholesterol while LDL is considered to be "bad" cholesterol. Some physicians maintain that for good physical health the ratio between these two be considered rather than the sum, so that a high cholesterol level is not considered an adverse health issue if the ratio between the two (LDL:HDL) is low. Typically the ratio is about 4:1.
