What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in every cell in the body.
Cholesterol has a bad reputation as a cause of heart disease but it
does have some essential functions.
It is produced by your liver in sufficient quantities for your body's
requirements. A store of cholesterol is kept in the adrenal glands
where it is used by the body to manufacture hormones. It is also used
to produce energy and make bile.
Cholesterol attaches to proteins in the bloodstream which become known
as lipoproteins. There are three main types:
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
• Triglycerides.
 DL (Low density lipoprotein) cholesterol
This form of cholesterol is known as the 'bad cholesterol'. High levels
of LDL in your blood can cause it to build up on the walls of the
arteries, which can become narrower and can lead to heart disease.
LDLs make up about two-thirds of the cholesterol in the blood.
HDL (High-density lipoprotein) cholesterol
HDL is known as the 'good cholesterol' because it helps to remove cholesterol
from the artery walls. Women generally have a higher HDL level than men
but this usually disappears after the menopause.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are stored in the fat cells of your body. We use these to provide energy. A high triglyceride level
may accompany a high LDL level and this means a higher risk of coronary
heart disease.
Eating certain foods containing cholesterol can sometimes mean that your
body has more than it needs. This tends to cause high levels of LDL cholesterol
in the blood and increases the risk of heart disease.
If someone else in your family has had high cholesterol you may also be
at risk of developing it. Obesity and some diseases such as diabetes can
also contribute to a high cholesterol level. |
