2023-08-25 16:14:59
Almost all the cholesterol in our body comes from what we absorb from food and from what the liver is capable of producing (Illustrative Image Infobae)
Medical manuals tell us that cholesterol is one of the most important lipids or fats found in our body.
It is often said that cholesterol is bad, but in reality we must understand that it also performs very important functions in our body, such as the formation of organ cell membranes and as a “raw material” for the synthesis of sex hormones. and those of adrenal origin. It is also a precursor of bile acids, which are substances that are part of the bile and that facilitate the digestion of fatty foods.
Under normal circumstances, almost all the cholesterol in our body comes from what we absorb from food and from what the liver is capable of producing. This cholesterol passes into the blood – where it is transported by specially designed proteins called lipoproteins – to be distributed to the various apparatuses and systems of the human body.
80% of total cholesterol is related to our hereditary metabolism, that is, only 20% of cholesterol is in the hands of our habits and behaviors
The problem occurs when its blood concentrations rise above normal values. When there is an excess of circulating cholesterol, it tends to be deposited on the wall of the arteries, causing the so-called “atheromatous plaques” made up mainly of the cholesterol stored there, by cells that swallow cholesterol: macrophages, and by muscle cells, which They go to these lesions where they synthesize substances that fibrose and make the plaques susceptible to calcification.
High blood cholesterol levels perpetuate this process. The plaques are increasing in size, which contributes to a greater rigidity of the blood vessels and a progressive obstruction of the same. Sometimes the plaques rupture, forming thrombi that can potentially totally or partially occlude the artery.
In the course of these ruptures and thrombosis, emboli can be released that would travel through the bloodstream until they hit smaller caliber arteries, preventing from that moment the irrigation of the tissue that depended on them.
There are 4 types of transport vehicles, keys to carry lipids to cells: Quilomicron, VLDL, LDL, HDL (Gettyimages)
All these phenomena give rise to a disease called atherosclerosis, responsible for various cardiovascular conditions that, depending on the location of the affected arteries, we know as ischemic heart disease: angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction; cerebrovascular accidents: cerebral heart attacks and thrombosis; peripheral arterial disease: ischemia of the lower limbs; aortic aneurysms and intestinal ischemia.
“The leading cause of death in Western countries continues to be cardiovascular disease. The main culprit is atherosclerosis (from the Greek “hard papilla”) that clogs our arteries with atheromatous plaques, cholesterol being the main accused of generating them,” explained Dr. Martín Lombardero, cardiologist and member of the Argentine Society of Cardiology (SAC).
And he added: “It is true that increased blood cholesterol is associated with increased mortality and is somehow involved in the mechanism of atherosclerosis. That is why cardiologists have spent years talking regarding good and bad cholesterol, demonizing cholesterol as a silent killer that navigates through our blood”.
High blood cholesterol can build up on artery walls and form deposits known as atheromatous plaques (Gettyimages)
“But cholesterol is neither good nor bad. It is a molecule, an essential lipid in our life. It is the fundamental basis for synthesizing sex hormones, vitamin D and cortisol, it is also a key compound for bile that helps us digest fats, and for proper brain function,” said Lombardero.
“It fulfills important functions in the plasmatic membrane, (cellular membrane that acts as a true border with selective permeability). It is mainly generated by the liver (70-80%) and to a lesser extent (20-30%) it enters through what we eat. Our body is almost perfect (except for genetic alterations), and would never synthesize a harmful and useless molecule “per se”, nor would it maintain it for thousands of years in its evolution if it does not fulfill a function”.
There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL cholesterol (popularly known as “bad cholesterol”, although many experts ask to stop using this negative term) and HDL cholesterol (known as “good cholesterol”).
High values of LDL cholesterol in the blood generate a greater risk of vascular diseases. High HDL cholesterol levels, on the other hand, can have positive effects (Photo: Christin Klose/dpa)
“When a doctor orders a cholesterol test, they basically ask for three indicators: total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. The total is the total cholesterol that you can test in your blood. LDL is low density lipoprotein, it is what is usually called bad. And there is HDL, which is a high-density lipoprotein, which is usually known as good cholesterol”, explained in Infobae the renowned doctor Daniel López Rosetti (MN 62540), president of the Stress Section of the World Federation for Mental Health. (WFMH).
“Cholesterol circulates through the blood, both through food intake and through natural production in our body, mainly in the liver. However, it is important to note that LDL, considered the “bad” cholesterol, travels through the arteries and can cause their obstruction by forming yellow atherosclerotic plaques, made up of cholesterol deposits,” added the expert.
Rosetti argued that these arterial blockages can cause serious illness. “If a coronary artery is blocked, for example, you are at risk of a heart attack or other heart disease. If this plaque gets lodged in an artery in the brain, one can have a stroke. If it occurs in the lower limbs, one can have difficulty getting blood to that area, which is called peripheral arterial disease, ”he specified.
French fries and other fried foods, if eaten frequently and in large quantities, can be harmful. This is because French fries are often made with unhealthy saturated or trans fats (GETTY)
Rosetti also explained what happens when this atherosclerotic plaque ruptures. “When that plaque breaks, the blood that circulates in that area, upon seeing the injury, will do the same thing it does when one is injured: coagulate. And by generating a plug by a clot, blood stops circulating and a heart attack occurs, ”said the specialist doctor.
And he clarified that it is also possible for a small piece of atheromatous plaque to break off and travel through the arteries until it reaches a narrower artery, as in the case of the brain, and trigger a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
There are many healthy lifestyle habits that can help lower cholesterol. Here are five important habits to incorporate into your lifestyle:
A balanced diet rich in antioxidants and definitely eliminate trans fats from our diet. Reduce saturated fats (butter, meat), are the tips to maintain heart health (Gettyimages)
1. Eat a healthy diet: Eat a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Instead, choose foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
2. Exercising regularly: Regular exercise helps increase HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise every day.
3. Control your weight: Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce cholesterol. Work with your doctor or a nutritionist to establish a healthy weight goal and a plan to reach it.
4. If you are a smoker, stop smoking: smoking is detrimental to your health in many ways, including raising cholesterol. If you smoke, stop as soon as possible.
5. If you drink, reduce alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can increase cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease. Limit alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.
Eating healthy and exercising helps to have a healthy heart (162)
1. Diet: A diet high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and refined carbohydrates can increase blood cholesterol. Refined carbohydrates are those that have been processed and stripped of their natural components, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These carbohydrates include:
A) refined sugars: including white sugar, corn syrups and molasses.
B) processed and refined foods, such as white bread, pasta and cookies.
C) Sugary and sweet drinks.
Regular blood tests are important to monitor blood cholesterol levels (162).
Refined carbohydrates are quickly metabolized and can spike blood sugar levels, which can be detrimental to health in the long run. Therefore, it is recommended to limit your intake of refined carbohydrates and choose complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, which provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals as well as energy.
2. Obesity: Excess body fat, especially in the abdominal area, can increase blood cholesterol.
3. Physical inactivity: a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to an increase in blood cholesterol.
4. Age: With age, blood cholesterol tends to rise naturally.
5. Genetics: Some people have a genetic predisposition to high blood cholesterol levels.
Other risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and kidney or liver disease.
Keep reading:
Statins and their role in cholesterol regulation: what are the differences between the ‘nocebo’ effect, the adverse effect and intoleranceFive strategies to control high cholesterolCholesterol, is it guilty or innocent of cardiovascular disease?
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