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Cholesterol
Thursday, May 21, 2009


Cholesterol, one word that has very close connection with heart disease. What is actually cholesterol? Cholesterol is a lipidic, waxy alcohol found in the cell membranes and transported in the blood plasma of all animals (Wikipedia). Every human has cholesterol in their blood stream. Cholesterol is required to build and maintain cell membranes, it regulates membrane fluidity over the range of physiological temperatures. We need cholesterol as important as many other substances for our body to keep us healthy. Some of it naturally produced by our body, some came from the food we eat.

Cholesterol can't dissolve in the blood, so it has to be transported by carriers called lipoprotein. There are two types of cholesterol in our body, good (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL).

In case of high level LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) in the blood, together with other substances it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. The arteries become thick, narrow and less flexible, in the end it will totally or partially blocked the arteries that prevent blood flow to heart and brain.

HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) is a good cholesterol in which its high level in the blood helps to reduce the risk of heart attack. In the opposite situation, if Blood level of HDL is low will increase risk of heart attack. Seme medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol back from arteries to the liver and removes excess cholesterol from arterial plague.

So, it is very wise action to maintain your cholesterol level within a normal range. Here the normal range cholesterol level in the blood.

  • Total Cholesterol
Normal: below 200 mg/dl. High: above 240 mg/dl.

  • Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Normal: below 130 mg/dl. High: above 160 mg/dl.

  • High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

Normal: above 35 mg/dl. Best: above 60 mg/dl.

  • Tryglycerides

Normal: below 200 mg/dl. High: 400-999 mg/dl.

How to maintain and control cholesterol level

  • Reduce and limitation of animal fats consumption. Animal fats are complex mixtures of triglycerides, with lesser amounts of phospholipids and cholesterol. Consequently all foods containing animal fat contain cholesterol to varying extents. Major sources of cholesterol include cheese, egg yolks, beef, pork, poultry and shrimp.



  • Spinach, broccoli and other dark green, leafy vegetables contain substantial amounts of substance called lutein. High levels of lutein in the blood are associated with a reduced build up of cholesterol. Walnuts are rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which lower level of LDL cholesterol.

  • Active life is another way of life to reduce cholesterol. Routine and regular exercise can help reduce the level of cholesterol. Minimum 30 minutes walking is one of the best way to reduce cholesterol. But if you can do exercise more than that way, that will be great for you. It is very easy and simple, you can walk every where you want to, on your treadmill, on your way to your office, while you are shopping or every where and every time you think it is comfortable for you.
  • Maintain your healthy weight
  • Schedule for screening. Everyone age 20 and older should have a fasting lipoprotein profile every 5 years. It gives information about total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. Blood sample should be taken after a 9 - 12 hours fast without food, liquids or food.
If you find your cholesterol level is high, be sure to consult with your doctor so you can understand and follow your treatment plan.

High and low cholesterol in foods

Some foods has very high cholesterol, that you have to carefully consume that.

Food
Serving Size
Cholesterol
Boiled egg
1
225 mg
Cream cheese
1oz
27 mg
Cheddar cheese
1oz
19 mg
Butter
3.5oz
250 mg
Lamb
3.5oz
70 mg
Beefsteak
3.5oz
70 mg
Chicken
3.5oz
60 mg
Kidney, beef
3.5oz
375 mg
Liver, beef
3.5oz
300 mg
Ice Cream
3.5oz
45 mg
Sponge cake
3.5oz
260 mg

In other hand all kind of fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses, nuts, seeds vegetable oils are free from cholesterol.

High cholesterol medicine

If your level of cholesterol is high, doctor may give you medicine to lowering cholesterol level. These medications are usually well tolerated, have few side effects, and are taken once or twice a day. Because the body produces cholesterol primarily during the night, these medicines usually are taken after dinner or during the evening.



Commonly prescribed including the following :
  • Atorvastatin (Lipitor®)
  • Fluvastatin (Lescol®)
  • Lovastatin (Mevacol®)
  • Pravastatin (Pravachol®)
  • Rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor®)
  • Simvastatin (Zocor®)
Keep in touch with your doctor and dietician during the teraphy.

source : wikipedia, americanheart.org, mamashealth, annecollins

posted by faku @ 8:01 AM,

1 Comments:

At May 26, 2009 at 8:03 PM, Blogger sucen enjoy said...

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