Cholesterol

Cholesterol – is a lipid which is mainly produced by liver and is essential for normal body functioning. Cholesterol is present in the outer layer (plasma membrane) of each cell of our body and has many functions. It is a waxy steroid and is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. This is the main sterol synthesized by animals, but small amounts are also synthesized in plants and fungi.

If your cholesterol is still high after doing everything mentioned above, your doctor may prescribe medicines to lower cholesterol.

These may include the following:

• Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) – these blockers of the enzyme in the liver produce cholesterol. In this case the task is to reduce cholesterol level to less than 4 mmol / l to 2 mmol / l for LDL cholesterol. Statins are useful for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. Side effects may include constipation, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Examples of statins are atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin.
• Aspirin – should not be given to patients younger than 16 years.
• Drugs to lower triglycerides – a fibric acid derivatives, and include gemfibrozil, fenofibrate and clofibrate.
• Niacin – a B vitamin that exists in various foods. You can get very high doses only by prescription. Niacin reduces the levels of both LDL and HDL. Side effects may include itching, headache, flushing, and ringing in the ears of (mostly very mild, if it occurs).
• Antihypertensive drugs – if you have high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor angiotensin II (ARBs), diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers.

In some cases, patient can be assigned for inhibitors of absorption (suction), cholesterol (ezetimibe) and substances that increase the excretion of bile acids. They have more side effects and require a certain level of patient’s awareness (the so-called medical competence of patients). The doctor must make sure that the drugs are taken in accordance with all instructions.

he term “cholesterol” comes from the Greek: chole – «bile», steros – «strongly.” Cholesterol belongs to the sterols, which are a part of the group of solid chemical steroids. Sterols are ubiquitous in nature, they are found in plants and fungi. Fithermore, cholesterol is a breakdown product of assimilable by the body fat. It is a white, waxy substance found in the cells of humans and animals. Cholesterol is produced in liver, alos found in some food products.

The substance in certain doses is simply necessary to the human body. It is instrumental in functioning of every cell; it is present in the cellular and intracellular membranes. The exchange processes are vital here, since they determine the strength and permeability of cell membranes. Any normal complete cell would not exist without cholesterol.

The optimum content (allowable) of cholesterol is individual for each person. We must consider all risk factors for its concentration: age, genetic pre-disposition, the presence of signs of diabetes, the intensity of physical activity. It is believed that the level of the blood cholesterol should be below 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood. If it exceeds 240 mg, then the person is at risk of atherosclerosis and in need of a thorough medical examination. Some doctors believe that cholesterol levels over 180 mg per deciliter amongst patients younger than 30 years, and more than 100 mg per deciliter amongst patients older than 30 years. So this is already a wake-up call, so each of us must control it.

Lowering cholesterol reduces the risk of several serious diseases. For example, the fact that it reduces in blood by 1%, leads to a decrease of the risk of a heart attack by 2%.

Multiple cardiac abnormalities and severe heart disease are often fatal – they all are the result of malnutrition (i.e. too high-caloried food, a large number of animal fats that are rich in cholesterol, consumption of refined carbohydrates (sugar, white flour, white bread) with a low content of fiber).

Among other things, diet should consist of some fat-like substances – cholesterol and lecithin. Cholesterol is found in significant quantities in animal fats, egg yolks, brain, liver, kidney, butter and other fatty dairy products. Cholesterol plays an important role in the functioning of the body, particularly in the functioning of the nervous system. However, excessive consumption of fatty foods leads to a significant increase of the level of blood cholesterol. Lecithin, due to the content of phosphorus and choline, is a biological antagonist of cholesterol. It stimulates the development of the growing organism, performs a positive effect on the nervous system, liver; it stimulates the blood, increases resistance to toxic substances, and improves the total assimilation of food that comes from fat and is an effective preventive measure for the development of atherosclerosis. A significant amount of lecithin is contained in buckwheat, soy, beans, wheat bran, salad.

Reduce the level of your cholesterol! We get cholesterol primarily from animal food. Natural health food is based on full-fledged products; Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fresh fruits, potatoes, beans, peas, nuts, products from wheat flour; As a source of protein you should consume fresh milk, milk products, cheese, soy products, potatoes, and foods made of flour, meal, drinks and soy bean curd (tofu). Only a limited number of eggs, fish and meat.

Note: crabs and shrimp have very high level of cholesterol! Avoid sugar, sweets, white wheat flour milling, canning, and other highly processed natural products, as well as many of your favorite fast food. The total content of fat in your diet should be limited. Pay attention to the so-called hidden fats: the sausage, baked goods, chocolate, etc. Use polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish oil). These fatty acids are linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic acid, they are not synthesized in the human body, and comes only from the outside and have a value of vitamins.