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Shvoong Home>Medicine & Health>Biochemistry>Cholesterol – whether Good or Bad ? Summary

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Cholesterol – whether Good or Bad ?

Article Abstract by: LSR     

Original Author: bbc.co.uk
  • Summary rating: 5 stars (11 Ratings)
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Cholesterol - elixir of body cells:
Cholesterol is a very much essential constituent for healthy body and
elixir to life. Cholesterol is needed for making complete cell membrane, essential sex hormones, and insulator of nerve fibers. Then, why there is so much hype in consuming cholesterol containing diets? Cholesterol in not the real culprit, however their levels and more importantly the lipoproteins they associate in blood decides its fate, whether it is good or bad.
Cholesterol Diet:
Major form of cholesterol is not directly obtained from diet, even if we consume low cholesterol diets it can produced in body by liver. The liver produces much cholesterol from saturated fats (such as coconut oil) the indirect culprit here. Some diets are rich in cholesterol like eggs.
What form of Cholesterol is Good and Bad ?
Cholesterol (a typical lipid) is insoluble in body and associated with protein called lipoprotein. HDL (High density lipoprotein) Cholesterol is good cholesterol as they transport cholesterol stored in body cells to liver for removal or breakdown. LDL (Low density lipoprotein) Cholesterol is bad cholesterol as they carry excess cholesterol from liver and dump in body cells leading to cholesterol accumulation in body.
How much cholesterol is healthy to our body ?
There are little variations in healthy levels from one country to another.
The doctors at NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) and Dept. of Health cholesterol guidelines follow: Total cholesterol: < 5.0mmol/L & LDL cholesterol: < 3.0mmol/L
The Joint British Societies, UK recommend has set the following limits for people having or at potential risk of CAD (coronary heart disease)
Total cholesterol: < 4.0mmol/L, LDL cholesterol: 1.15mmol/L and Triglycerides: < 1.5 mmol/L.
Are there remedies to overcome bad cholesterol ?
Diet is the first and foremost controlling remedy. Take diets containing omega-3 fatty acids are useful for reducing bad cholesterol. Perform stretching exercises for 20 – 30 minutes 5 days a week. Possibly go for regular walking or swimming. Treatment using drugs should be the made only at the discretion of duly qualified physician.
Published: June 13, 2007

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