Cholesterol Basics

Cholesterol is a necessary substance for normal body function. It is an integral part of every cell membrane and is needed for the synthesis of Vitamin D, bile, sex hormones and the hormones that help the body respond to stress. The body produces all the cholesterol it needs and excretes the surplus via the liver. Therefore, there is no need for cholesterol in your diet – if your body senses dietary cholesterol, it reduces its own cholesterol production. Unfortunately, there is something like “too much of a good thing” for cholesterol – high cholesterol levels in your blood are one of the major risk factors for heart disease and heart attacks.

Causes

1) Starting in the late teens, blood cholesterol level increases slightly each year.

2) A diet rich in saturated fat and cholesterol will increase cholesterol levels.

3) Being overweight tends to increase cholesterol levels.

4) Smoking decreases “good” cholesterol and increases triglycerides.

5) A genetic predisposition for high cholesterol can run in the family.

Symptoms

High cholesterol does not cause any symptoms by itself, which is why it is necessary to screen for blood cholesterol levels, starting at the age of 20. Cholesterol plaques can form in any artery but are most feared in the coronary arteries of the heart. Cholesterol buildup limits the amount of blood (which carries oxygen) that can flow to the heart muscle. A small additional blockage can then result in a heart attack.

1) Total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL – more than 240 mg/dL is too high.

2) LDL (or “bad” cholesterol) is the form in which cholesterol is usually transported in the blood. The higher the LDL level, the higher the risk for heart disease. Less than 100 mg/dL of LDL is ideal – more than 160 mg/dL is too much.

3) HDL (or “good” cholesterol) is the form of cholesterol that will not be deposited in your blood vessels. A higher level of HDL indicates fewer plaques. An HDL level of 60 mg/dL or more is ideal – a level of less than 40 mg/dL is a major risk for heart disease.

4) Triglycerides: While the relation between heart disease and triglycerides remains unclear, high triglyceride levels (over 200 mg/dL) are usually associated with low HDL levels or a tendency to diabetes and indicate a higher risk for heart disease. Triglyceride levels should be less than 150 mg/dL.

Treatment

1) The most important step in lowering cholesterol is to limit the intake of saturated fat (found mostly in animal products) and cholesterol (found only in animal products).

• The National Heart, Lung at Blood Institute provides practical help with a personalized diet. Menu choices are listed complete with their content of sodium, calories, saturated fat and cholesterol.

2) Exercise and physical activity increase HDL levels.

3) Weight reduction: For unclear reasons, overweight patients usually have higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides than more slender patients. Also, obesity itself is a risk factor for heart disease.

4) Stopping smoking will decrease triglyceride levels and will also eliminate another major risk of heart disease.

5) Limit alcohol intake to less than two drinks a day. The liver must function properly to excrete cholesterol.

6) If all this does not sufficiently reduce cholesterol your doctor can prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs. These drugs work by either decreasing your body’s cholesterol production, or by accelerating its excretion. Cholesterol-lowering drugs do not affect increases in blood cholesterol that come from food. For this reason, eating foods that are high in cholesterol and saturated fat will only negate the drugs’ effects.