21 response to the naive, but important questions about cholesterol

1. What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol (also known as cholesterol) - is an organic compound that looks like waxFrequently asked questions about cholesterol. "Hardened bile" - roughly translated as the word is from the Greek. Feel cholesterol hands you are unlikely, so just take my word for: a waxy substance (to be precise, it is a fatty alcohol) is in your body. And can not escape from it.

2. Cholesterol is only for men?

Not only. This natural fatty alcohol produced in the body of all animals. But in plants and fungi, it is not.

3. How did he come from?

The entire body needs cholesterol is produced in the liver. But it may come in another wayControl Your Cholesterol - with food.

For example, if you like steak or kebabs, be prepared for the fact that the chicken, pork, or, say, the fish will become your cholesterol too, adding to the personal stocks. Milk, cream, sour cream, eggs - in the same kopilochku.

4. Cholesterol - it is harmful?

On the contrary. Were it not for the cholesterol - there would be no us. At least in the form we are used to.

Cholesterol - an important "building block" of the body. He is actively involved in the creation of cells of all organs and tissues - nerves, muscle, skin, lungs, heart. In the brain, generally contains 25% of the total reservesCholesterol, the mind and the brain cholesterol in the body, and it is justified, "the hardened bile" is necessary for the growth and development of many nerve cells. But that's not all.

That is not a complete list of functions performedCholesterol cholesterol:

• Involved in the production of hormones, including testosterone, estrogen and cortisol.
• Critically needed for the synthesis of vitamin D.
• It is the raw material for the production of bile acids in the intestine, without which could not be cleaved received dietary fats.
• Ensure the normal functioning of the immune system, it helps the body to resist the development of tumors.

5. But if cholesterol is necessary and useful, why we're jerking?

For the things that are useful and even vital in normal doses, while excess is poison.

If the body is too much cholesterol, it starts to build up on the walls of blood vessels, creating a so-called atherosclerotic plaques. As it looks, you can see in the picture below (zholtenkoe - this is it, cholesterol).

vascular lumen narrowing, to the organs and tissues supplied little blood, they get less food and oxygen. All this may come back to haunt the most unpleasant consequences. Including the option that a narrowed blood vessel formed clot that completely block blood flow. This can cause stroke. With the likelihood of death.

6. Too much cholesterol - is how much?

The high level of cholesterol is said, if the total concentration in the blood exceedsFrequently asked questions about cholesterol 200 mg / dl, or 5 mmol / l. But there is an important point.

Cholesterol is conventionally divided into two types: the "good" and "bad". And if the concentration of "bad" cholesterol really should be lower, with the "good" - is another story.

7. What is "good" and "bad" cholesterol?

Once again emphasize: these estimates refer - conditional. And "good" and "bad" cholesterol - the same substance. Only with nuance.

Cholesterol can not be in the blood in pure form. To deliver it to the organs and tissues, the body is doing this trick: connects cholesterol in a single unit with fats and proteins. Such "transport" of a compound called lipoproteins. They (or rather, their composition) was determinedCholesterol Levels the estimated ratio to cholesterol.

• The "bad" cholesterol - the one that is part of the low density lipoprotein (LDL, or LDL English LDL). In the form of LDL it is delivered from the liver to organs and tissues. But if they are already saturated in cholesterol and do not take it, just stuff "unloaded" from the entrance, settling on the walls of blood vessels. So the very form atherosclerotic plaques.
• A "good" cholesterol - the one that is part of the high density lipoprotein (HDL or HDL English HDL). HDL capture "extra" not suitable cholesterol from the vessel and return it back to the liver for processing. That is struggling with the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Ideally, both processes are balanced, so the vessels remain clean. But this is not always the case.

8. You can determine how much blood "good" and "bad" cholesterol?

Yes. The corresponding blood test shows the level of not only total cholesterol but also its species.

9. What level of "bad" cholesterol is considered high?

The upper limit of - 190 mg / dl (4.5 mmol / L). If the content of the "bad" cholesterol in the blood is higher, it is a dangerous symptom that increases the risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

On the "good" cholesterol, the situation is strictly the opposite: the larger it is, the better. Has a lower limit dangerous - 40 mg / dL (1 mmol / l). If HDL is less than, again talking about high risk for heart and blood vessels.

10. There are signs, which recognizes high cholesterol?

Not. In most cases, a high level of cholesterol in any wayCholesterol It does not manifest itself. Until then, until a stroke.

Only occasionally on the skin in some people appear yellowish growths - xanthomas. They are cutaneous deposits rich in cholesterol and may serve as an indirect confirmation of its high level.

11. And how do you know that I have high cholesterol?

A blood test. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendsCholesterol hold it at least every 4-6 years.

12. Cholesterol is increased due to the fact that we eat a lot of fat?

Partly. The key point - what type of fat you eat.

It is known that the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood increases in the use of:

• saturated fats - it's mostly products of animal origin: fatty meat, lard, butter, sour cream, cheese;
• trans fats - those found in fast food, shop baking, semi-finished products.

But unsaturated fats (found in oily fish, nuts - especially hazelnuts and peanuts), in contrast, reduces LDL.

13. From eggs "bad" cholesterol would be bigger?

Not necessary. Yes, in chicken eggs is really a lot of cholesterol. However, entering the bloodstream, it can be transformed in "bad", and the "good" form. It all depends on the environment - of what it was you ate it.

If you prefer the egg as part of a salad mayonnaise or in the form of fried eggs and bacon - you are likely to get LDL. But fried in vegetable oil or egg itself the concentration of bad cholesterol in the blood is not exactly enhance.

14. If a bottle of vegetable oil is written "0% cholesterol," can you believe this?

At 100%. In plant foods cholesterol does not. If the manufacturer of sunflower or olive oil emphasizes this fact, consider it just an advertising ploy.

15. And when other products write "low cholesterol", are they safe?

Not necessary. We have already defined: the role played not so much cholesterol as his entourage. Products labeled "low cholesterol" may be composed of saturated fats, which raise LDL levels in the blood.

Private caveat: even if a product contains unsaturated fats - the same vegetable oil - there may be too many calories. Make sure that the total amount of fat in your diet does not exceed 20-30% of the daily menu.

16. Does cholesterol, weight gain?

Here, rather, a question of indirect communication. The more saturated and trans fat you eat, the higher your cholesterol and calorie intake at the same time. Consequence of the latter - are overweight.

17. What, other than products, it affects the level of "bad" cholesterol?

A diet with an increased content of saturated and trans fat - the most common cause of elevated cholesterol levels. However, there are other factorsCholesterol levels:

• overweight or obese;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• Diabetes Type II diabetes;
• hypothyroidism (insufficient activity thyroid gland);
• the age of post-menopausal women;
• chronic renal insufficiency;
• hypercholesterolemia - an inherited disorder in which LDL cholesterol is removed from the blood is less active than necessary.

18. How often should check cholesterol levels?

It depends on a number of data: your age, medical history, other risk factors (listed above paragraph). Therefore, ideally, to frequency analysis to determine your cholesterol therapist.

The general recommendationsCholesterol are as follows:

• The first test for cholesterol must be carried out in 9-11 years.
• U19 test done every 5 years. Exception - hereditary factors. If you have a family history of high cholesterol, stroke, other cardiovascular diseases, the analysis should take every 2 years.
• People over age 20 take the test every 5 years.
• Men aged 45-65 years and women 55-65 years old are encouraged to be tested every 1-2 years.

19. What to do if you find high cholesterol?

To begin with - to consult with a physician or another doctor watching you. It may be that your cholesterol levels somewhat higher than normal, but do not have other risk factors - such a situation is considered normalQuestions about cholesterol and does not require treatment.

In general, to reduce the level of cholesterolOften enough to make some changesFrequently asked questions about cholesterol in lifestyle

• Eat fewer trans fats. Under the ban chips, burgers, other fast food, as well as shops pastries, including cakes and pastries.
• Remove the skin and fat from the meat, poultry and fish.
• Prefer boiled and baked foods instead of fried.
• Lean on vegetables, fruits and cereals. Especially those that contain a lot of fiber, - oatmeal, apples, prunes.
• Move more. Every day, devote a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise - walking, swimming, yoga, fitness. Talk to your doctor: it will help you choose the optimal load.
• Try to get rid of excess weight. Suffice it to lose 4.5 kilograms to the level of LDL-cholesterol fell by 8%.
• drop it smoke.

20. Oh, so you can do without drugs?

Not always. The decision whether you need medication or not, takes only a doctor. Medic takes into account the current level of cholesterol in the blood, as well as comorbidities. If a large amount of a substance, you will register a tool called "statins" - they will help bring LDL-cholesterol from the body.

As statins or other medications neededCholesterol: Myths and Facts, If you:

• You have an inherited disease which causes an increase in cholesterol levels from a young age;
• suffering from cardiovascular disease;
• ill diabetes the second type.

Abandon the drugs prescribed by your doctor in any case it is impossible - it is fraught with heart attack.

21. How quickly will decrease cholesterol?

Fortunately, high cholesterol is one of those states, which are fairly easy to adjust. If you are in accordance with the doctor's recommendation to change the way of life and begin to take the necessary medication, cholesterol back to normal within just two or three weeks.