Vital Facts About High Cholesterol
Not long ago, our family doctor discovered that I had extremely high cholesterol levels. I didn’t know a lot about cholesterol, but, once he explained how dangerous this condition was, I decided that I had better learn all I could. Since then, I have gotten my cholesterol level under control and become somewhat of a layman expert in the process. Trust me when I tell you that controlling your cholesterol levels can be a life-or-death proposition. Perhaps you will also understand why limiting, or eliminating, high cholesterol foods is vital.
Our bodies require cholesterol for a number of things. For our purposes, just understand that it is used by every cell in your body much as a bricklayer uses mortar. It also makes digestion possible when your body turns it into bile acid and dumps it into your intestines.
Your body makes most of the cholesterol it needs in your liver. From there, it is carried by an enzyme called low density lipoproteins, or LDL, to your cells. When the LDL encounters a cell that already has enough cholesterol, it sends a “No, Thanks” signal and the LDL moves on.
The problem is, LDL won’t carry left over cholesterol back to your liver. The LDL will leave the extra cholesterol on the inner wall of an artery. Over time, these deposits can restrict blood flow in the artery and “starve” the tissue that is downstream. Most heart attacks and strokes are the result of a loss of blood to the heart and brain.
This is a very basic discussion, of course. It is only the beginning of a discussion that you may want to further explore.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is based on information readily available in the popular press and medical journals that deal with high cholesterol levels. Nothing herein should be or taken as any kind of medical advice. For medical advice people have to consult with his or her physician or other medical specialist.
Uncategorized | GoBlogFolks May 31, 2010