What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol, in levels greater than 200, poses many health risks. What many people do not realize is that the human body needs small amounts of cholesterol to maintain a certain level of health and well being. However, once a person has gone over that level, the health risks increase. It is important to know what a healthy cholesterol level is, but more importantly, to know what their individual cholesterol level is. This is done by having a lipid profile conducted through your doctor. It is a simple blood test that measures the amount of good and bad cholesterol in your blood system. This, in turn, will help your doctor determine the best course of treatment and, quite possibly, save your life.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is a steroid belonging to the fat family called lipids. It's produced in the liver, and transported throughout the bloodstream by clinging to molecules called lipoproteins. As it is carried along, it performs certain tasks essential to the maintenance of our bodies. It produces sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, creates vitamin D which is vital in the development of healthy bones, and it assists in cell growth by absorbing essential fats from the foods we eat. It also aids in digesting fat by producing bile acids. High cholesterol occurs when an over consumption of fatty foods has taken place. This leaves an excess of lipoproteins needing to be transported with no job to perform resulting in a build-up of cholesterol.

The excess of lipoproteins in the body are referred to as low-density lipoproteins, or LDL. These are the lipoproteins wandering aimlessly through the bloodstream, doing nothing except accumulating on the walls of the arteries, often called plaque. Over time, this build-up can cause blockages which lead to blood clots and strokes. Due to the danger LDL represents in the body, it has been deemed "bad cholesterol." Healthy LDL levels are considered to be between 100-129 when a lipid profile has been done on a patient.

There is a "good cholesterol" to combat the effects of LDL and that is HDL, or high-density lipoproteins. These are responsible for transporting any unused cholesterol back to the liver where it can properly disposed of through the body. Quite recently the medical community has placed more importance on the patient's HDL level versus their LDL level. This is because the HDL can actually help lower the LDL level. However, it must be noted that the HDL level must be high enough to do so. A healthy HDL level is considered to be greater than 60 when a lipid profile is performed.

There are many ways to help prevent and/or treat high cholesterol naturally. The most obvious is through diet. Saturated fats are a person's worst enemy when it comes to cholesterol levels, therefore it is best to refrain from foods such as chips (unless baked), fench fries, and cakes. The best thing to do is read the label. Foods that are refined, such as white bread and flour, are also something you may want to consider altering. Exercise is something you need to incorporate, even if it is simply walking for 30 minutes a day. This will lower your LDL and raise your HDL. In addition, if you smoke, cigarettes will raise your LDL and decrease your HDL. If you have tried these natural treatments and find they aren't working, you may want to try a prescription medication to help you. Crestor, Lipitor, and Zocor all decrease the LDL and increase the HDL simultaneously.

High cholesterol is a condition that can be inherited as well. It is caused by a mutant gene that can be handed down through many generations. It may be prevalent on one side, either maternal or paternal, and can be asymptomatic. There are signs to watch for though, and if you notice a trend in your family, regardless of your age, you may want to visit your doctor and request a lipid profile. These signs include a family history of heart attacks at an early age, a diagnosis of heart disease before the age of 55, chest pain, a family history of high cholesterol, and high cholesterol levels in one or both of your parents which has resisted treatment. These symptoms do not have to be limited to parent. They can occur in aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins. If there is a trend, seek the advice of a doctor.