Cholesterol is Good for health

 

 

Cholesterol is a waxy stuff that's found in all of your cells and has many useful functions, as well as serving  to build your body's cells.

Cholesterol is made by the liver and also made by most cells in the body. It is carried around in the blood by little carriers called lipoproteins. We need a small amount of blood cholesterol because the body uses it to increase the structure of cell membranes.

Cholesterol travels through the blood on proteins called “lipoproteins.” 

Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout the body.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because it helps to eliminate other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol are correlated with a lower risk of heart disease.HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol, keeps cholesterol and moves it back to the liver. The liver at that point flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower diabetes, your hazard for heart ailment  and stroke.

LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or “bad” cholesterol, makes up most of your body’s cholesterol. Huge levels of LDL cholesterol raise your chance for heart ailment and stroke. When your body has as well much LDL cholesterol, the LDL cholesterol can deposit on the blood vessels. This deposit is called “plaque.” As your blood vessels construct up plaque over time, the internal  parts of the vessels limit. This narrowing squares blood stream to and from your heart and other organs. When bloodstream to the heart is blocked, it can cause angina (chest torment) or a heart attack.

VAll values are in mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and are based on fasting measurements.

How much cholesterol to be consumed. 

Your body needs cholesterol to help build cells and produce certain hormones. When you eat more saturated and trans fats , cause your liver to produce too much LDL(bad) cholesterol which winds up in artery-clogging deposits.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a person's firast cholesterol screening should occur between the ages of 9 and 11 and then be repeated every five years after that.

The NHLBI recommends that cholesterol screenings occur every 1 to 2 years for men ages 45 to 65 and for women ages 55 to 65. People over 65 should receive cholesterol tests annually.

More-frequent testing might be needed if your initial test results were abnormal or if you  already have coronary artery disease, or you're taking cholesterol-lowering medications or you're at higher risk of coronary artery disease.

The American Heart AssociationTrusted Source recommends that all adults have their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years, starting at age 20, which is when cholesterol levels can start to rise.

Other reasons for high cholesterol 

Have a family history of high cholesterol or heart attacks

Are overweight

Are physically inactive

Have diabetes

Eat an unhealthy diet

Smoke cigarettes

How to control cholesterol. 

Exercise consistently 

Exercise will help you to lose weight and boost your HDL cholesterol. At an average of 30 to 60 minutes a day of moderate cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, and dancing.

Add sufficient  fiber. 

Try to add the required amount of  fiber to your diet with whole grain.

Minimise fats:

Good  fats include olive oil, avocado, and certain nuts. These are all fats that won’t raise your LDL levels.

Reduce the cholesterol intake. 

Reduce the quantity of high-saturated fatty foods like cheese, whole milk, and high-fat red meats.

Avoid smoking.

Smoking decreases HDL cholesterol. Quitting can help you better manage your cholesterol levels.

Reduce the  alcohol intake. 

The American Heart AssociationTrusted Source recommends drinking alcohol in moderation, which means, on average, no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Drinking too much alcohol can raise levels of triglyceride fats in the bloodstream and lead to conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and atrial fibrillation.

Maintain healthy weight.

Losing excess body weight can help lower your cholesterol levels.

Check your cholesterol  levels.

You can see a doctor or use an at-home test kit to check your cholesterol levels. You can purchase a testing kit online from LetsGetChecked here.

Lowering Your Risk

If you have high LDL cholesterol levels, your health care team recommend cholesterol-lowering medicine and lifestyle changes to lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

If you have low HDL cholesterol levels, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes that may help raise your HDL.

Conclusion 

As long as cholesterol in the body is monitored and maintained within their limit, it is highly useful to your health.