All About Cholesterol - A Brief Overview - By: Paul Heitman

What is cholesterol you might ask and where did it come from?

Well, it is a fat or a lipid that is produced by the liver as these Greek words imply - chole meaning "bile" and stereos which means "solid". But not all cholesterol comes from the liver. Some of it actually comes from the foods we eat mainly from certain plants and animals.

The Importance of Cholesterol

Why is cholesterol important?

Cholesterol has many uses and the function it brings to our body is numerous. It acts as an enzyme synthesizer which is important for fat metabolism. It is also involved in the production of estrogen and androgens which are our sex hormones. Cholesterol also is a primary contributor for the building and maintenance of body cells. Basically, cholesterol itself is good and is used for several body functions.

The Different Types of Cholesterol

LDL (low density lipoprotein) or also known as the bad cholesterol. This type of lipid is stereotyped as "bad" because an increase or excess amount of it can cause blockage or thickening of the arterial walls. If this happens, a person may have higher risk of having arterial and heart disease.

HDL (high density lipoprotein) or also known as the good cholesterol is the total opposite of its twin. This type of lipid primarily functions as a scraper which scrapes off excess bad cholesterol away from the blood stream and arterial walls and then pushes them towards the liver for excretion.

Triglyceride is another type of lipid that is also found in the bloodstream along with the other types of cholesterol. It serves as a storage of unused calories which is later on used for energy. High amounts of it can also put you at risk of heart disease.

The Normal Levels of Cholesterol

Below is a quick guide and reference that shows the normal values of the different types of cholesterol.

• Total cholesterol should be less than 200mg/dL
• LDL should be less than 100 mg/dL
• HDL levels should be more than 50 mg/dL
• Triglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dL

Risks and Dangers for Having High Cholesterol

An abnormal or a huge discrepancy on any of the normal levels of cholesterol can bring numerous debilitating health conditions - coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, chest pains or angina and heart attacks to name a few.

Who's at greater risk? It could be you! Have your cholesterol levels screened and take necessary actions before it's too late.

About the Author

Paul is a heart conscious person and loves to share information about cholesterol and why is high cholesterol bad. To learn more what cause high cholesterol and other sure fire methods to decrease cholesterol naturally, sign up and claim your FREE mini-course by clicking on the links provided.

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