ABOUT CHOLESTEROL

Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance that occurs naturally in the body. High Cholesterol can lead to artery clogging plaques that can eventually plug arteries, impeding blood flow to the heart, brain, kidneys, genitals and extremities. This process can lead to high blood pressure, mental impairment and, often after many years, heart attack or stroke. High Cholesterol levels can also lead to gallstones. Factors that contribute to high cholesterol include hereditary, diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and high blood sugar levels.

Fatty Cholesterol cannot travel through the watery bloodstream by itself. Therefore it is attached to a protein forming a lipoprotein, for delivery to cells throughout the body. There are several different types of lipoproteins but the main two are low density lipoprotein (LDL) and High – density protein (HDL). While LDL is thought of as “bad” cholesterol and HDL as “good” cholesterol they are actually two stages in the body’s use of the same substance, with LDL particles being much larger than HDL particles. The problem with Cholesterol arises if LDL becomes “stuck” in the linings of arteries injured by high blood pressure or infection. The area of injury can become larger and harden with calcium deposits.

Doctors recognise that total cholesterol is not as important measure of disease risk as the ratio of the HDL to LDL. Doctors look at an LDL level less than 130 milligrams per decilitre of blood and an HDL level of over 30 mg /dl. This represents an LDL/HDL ratio of 4.3 to 1 or lower.

Triglyceride’s, a form of fat that travels with lipoproteins, is a cause for concern if blood levels are higher than 200mg/dl. In addition, disease risk is increased by untreated high blood pressure and by factors that make the blood “sticky” including smoking and high blood- sugar levels.

LOW CHOLESTEROL can also cause health problems. People with LOW Cholesterol levels have higher than average rates of cancer , respiratory and digestive illness , depression, schizophrenia and the progression of HIV to AIDS.

This link will take you to Further Information on foods , Herbs & Supplements that aid cholesterol regulation