September is National Cholesterol Education Month
Part of the problem is that most people don`t fully understand what high cholesterol is. By definition, cholesterol is a fatty wax-like substance produced in the liver and other cells. It is found in certain foods like animal proteins and dairy products including foods like eggs and cheese. It is true that your body does require a certain amount of cholesterol to function properly, (no we don`t recommend going on a cheese eating binge) as it is a major component in building cell walls, producing hormones, vitamin D and bile acids that help your body to digest fat. However, it is only required in limited amounts and too much can generate a domino like effect and instigate other problems in your body, primarily concerning your heart.
When too much cholesterol is produced it can form a thick, hard substance known as plaque in your arteries, narrowing the space for blood flow to the heart. If left untreated this buildup causes atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) which can lead to heart disease. Your heart needs oxygen-carrying blood, but if not enough of it reaches your heart it results in angina (chest pain); if the blood supply is completely cutoff from a coronary artery the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure from an aneurysm (blood clot) forming on top of a previous narrowing. It is vital that people understand the differences between all of the types of cholesterol. The four types of cholesterol are:
- Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL): known as `bad cholesterol`, it can cause the buildup of plaque on the walls of arteries. The more LDL there is in your blood the greater your risk of heart disease is.
- High Density Lipoproteins (HDL): known as `good cholesterol`, it helps the body get rid of LDL in your blood. The higher your levels of HDL the better, whereas low amounts puts you at greater risks for heart disease.
- Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL): similar to LDL cholesterol in that it contains more fat than proteins.
- Triglycerides: another form of fat carried in the blood via the VLDL`s. Overabundances of calories, sugar or alcohol convert into triglycerides and become stored in fat cells throughout your body.
Many factors affect your cholesterol like: diet, weight, how often you exercise, age and gender, pre-existing illnesses and heredity. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors. If you are over the age of 20 and have a record of elevated cholesterol, you should have your cholesterol levels tested at least every five years or more often. As always, the best defense is a good offense!
