Cholesterol Essay, Research Paper
For years, cholesterol has been a major concern for millions of people around the world. This fear of cholesterol has led to many consultations with specialists like physicians and nutritionists. It seems that there is a great misconception about this molecule. A majority of the population is conscious of the harm that it can cause, but they are not aware that it has pertinent values to our body. There are two major forms that cholesterol comes in: 1) low density lipoprotein, which is generally considered “bad” cholesterol and 2) high density lipoprotein, which is known as “good” cholesterol. Although given these names, there is nothing inherently good or bad about them. This research will clarify a lot of the misconceptions that are associated with cholesterol and the overall effect that cholesterol has on the human body.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat like substance made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, that is found in all the body’s cells and is used to form cell membranes, manufacture hormones and other necessary substances. It is an organic compound belonging to the sterol family that also encompasses steroids.
Cholesterol is produced two ways. The first is by the liver. “The liver produces about 50,000,000,000,000,000 cholesterol molecules a second” (Body Mechanics 1), or about 1,000 mg of cholesterol a day. The second is by the intake of the foods eaten like animal fats (saturated and polysaturated fats) such as cheese, lard, egg yolks, red or marbled meat, pork, processed meat, gravies, palm or coconut oil, deep fried foods, whole milk, butter, etc.. This second process is accountable for another 400 mg – 500 mg of cholesterol a day.
Once eaten, the cholesterol in the food goes into the intestines to await digestion. “Chylomicrons (fatty particles containing mainly triglycerides, but also cholesterol, phospholipids and protein) are produced in the intestinal wall” (Arthersclerosis 3). Once the chylomicrons enter the bloodstream, they bind to receptors on the capillaries. A large percentage of triglycerides is broken down and released into circulation. “The remainder of the chylomicron (the ‘chylomicron remnant’), now richer in cholesterol, continues in circulation until it reaches the liver and is absorbed (Athersclerosis 3). Since cholesterol is like a fat, it is hydrophobic and unable to mix with water or blood. In order for it to be carried through the blood, the liver the combines the cholesterol with triglycerides and proteins (called lipoproteins) to form packages called very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). These packages, which account for 10-15 percent of the cholesterol in the body, are dispersed into the bloodstream and are “transported to tissue capillaries where triglycerides are broken down and either used for energy or stored by muscle or fat cells” (Athersclerosis 3). After the release of the triglycerides, the package now has a higher percentage of cholesterol. This package is now called low density lipoproteins or “LDL”.
LDL’s, also known as the “bad” cholesterol, is transported through the bloodstream to build cells, make hormones, and act as an insulation for nerves. Low density lipoproteins account for “60-70 percent of the total serum cholesterol” in the body (ATP: Chapter 1 1). This package of cholesterol is very useful to the body. It is necessary in the membranes of cells. If the cell gets too cold, the cholesterol kept the cell from freezing or turning solid. Conversely, as the cell gets too hot, the cholesterol keeps the cell from melting. This so called “bad” cholesterol, maintain the cell’s fluidity. Once the LDL’s have completed their tasks, they are removed from the body though the bloodstream to the liver. However, this removal process can occur at slower rates in certain people than others. This causes a build up of the cholesterol within the walls of the arteries. This build up, over time, can slow down or even prevent the circulation of blood to the heart and brain and can cause such disorders as Atherosclerosis, in which “deposits of cholesterol and other fatty substances circulating in the blood accumulate in the interior walls of the blood vessels”, and hypercholesterolemia, which is an elevated level of cholesterol in the blood, and ultimately coronary heart disease (CHD), which causes heart attacks (Britannica Online 1). This is where the LDL’s get their “bad” reputation.
In addition to VLDL’s and LDL’s, there is another form of lipoprotein called high density lipoprotein or “HDL”. This package, which counts for 20-30 percent of the bodies total blood cholesterol, is also synthesized in the liver but it contains a higher percentage of triglycerides and a lower percentage of cholesterol. It is believed by many researchers to be “good” cholesterol because whereas low density lipoproteins are sent through the bloodstream to the different parts of the body that needs the cholesterol, the HDL’s are sent through the bloodstream to collect the excess cholesterol, take it away from the arteries, and bring it back to the liver where it is broken down, reprocessed, or excreted. This process decreases the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries which in turn reduces the risk of heart disease, which is where HDL’s get their reputation of being the “good” cholesterol.
Both LDL’s and HDL’s are relatively safe as long as their levels found in the body do not exceed what is recommended. When getting cholesterol checked by a physician, there are two variables that are looked at: 1) the concentration of total cholesterol in the blood, and 2) the HDL cholesterol in your blood. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), below 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood) is the desirable measurement for total cholesterol. With this reading, the risk for a heart attack is relatively low and should be checked every five years. A reading of between 200 and 239 mg/dL, which is the average for most Americans, is borderline to high blood cholesterol according to the AHA. Someone with this reading is at twice the risk of a heart attack than someone with a reading of 200 mg/dL, and should change or modify your diet and do physical activity 3-5 times a week. They should also get their levels rechecked at least every other year. The third measurement bracket is above 240 mg/dL. This reading is considered high blood cholesterol by the AHA. Someone with this reading is in serious risk of a heart attack, and should work very closely with a physician to work out a program to reduce this reading.
When checking the HDL cholesterol in the blood, a desirable reading would be above 35 mg/dL. For Americans, the average level is between 45 and 65 mg/dL. There is evidence that shows that for every 1 mg/dL decrease in HDL, your risk for heart disease increases by 2 to 3 percent. Another way to measure the HDL in the blood is by a “cholesterol ratio”. This is determined by taking the total cholesterol in the blood and dividing it by the HDL level in the blood. According to the AHA, a safe ratio is below 5:1, with the ideal ratio being 3.5:1.
There are many factors that can lower the LDL in the blood. The first is the diet. Cutting down on saturated fats in a diet can decrease your total cholesterol ratio. Eating healthier, like using unsaturated fats such as corn, peanut, safflower, olive, and soybean oils can raise HDL levels in the body. Other safe foods are: lean meats, skinless chicken, beans, fruit, low fat milk, grains, fish, substituting eggs with egg beaters, margarine, etc.. Cigarette smoking is another factor that can raise LDL build up. Another problem is smoking. Smoking causes the heart to beat and pump harder, which is able to push LDL’s into the arteries easier than nonsmokers to cause a build up. The cholesterol levels are higher in men than in women. There is evidence that has shown that women during their childbearing years have a much lower level of cholesterol than men. The estrogen that is produced before menopause lowers the risk of high cholesterol. After menopause, women’s risk of CHD increases.
In conclusion, both LDL’s and HDL’s are neither good nor bad. They each have a specific purpose and function that is vital to the human body. Only when excessive amounts are taken, do they present a risk to the health of a human. Watching what is eaten, exercise, and regular testing can assure a long and healthy life without the concern of cholesterol.
Другие работы по теме:
Cereals Essay Research Paper Breakfast is the
Cereals Essay, Research Paper Breakfast is the most important meal of the day by eating a nutritious breakfast you better chances of reaching the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and you’re more likely to get all the nutrients you need. The best breakfast cereals are rich in fiber, something most of us don’t get enough of.
Smoking Essay Research Paper Decriptive Abstract The
Smoking Essay, Research Paper Decriptive Abstract The paper discussed statistics on college students. Additionally, important heath problems with smoking cigarettes were presented. These health problems were broken up into different body systems and different risks assocciated with the body systems.
Genetic Engeneering Essay Research Paper Genetic EngineeringI
Genetic Engeneering Essay, Research Paper Genetic Engineering I personally think that genetic engineering could be an excellent thing. People should be able to go as far as they can and do anything possible. Diseases could be avoided. Slow metabolic rates could be avoided, which result in overweight people.
Lipids Essay Research Paper LIPIDSThe subject I
Lipids Essay, Research Paper LIPIDS The subject I will cover is lipids. I will tell you about the description of it s organic compound. I will tell you where it is found. I will tell you what the uses are in plants and animals. I will also tell you about it s chemical structure and give examples of types of these compounds, such as cholesterol.
Calcium In Diet Essay Research Paper Many
Calcium In Diet Essay, Research Paper Many people choose to avoid milk and other dairy products because they contain fat, cholesterol, allergenic proteins, lactose, and frequently traces of
Heart Disease Essay Research Paper Development of
Heart Disease Essay, Research Paper Development of fatty plaque is due partly to excessive intake of cholesterol and animal fats in the diet (see Nutrition, Human). A sedentary life-style is thought to promote atherosclerosis, and evidence suggests that physical exercise may help prevent heart disease (see Physical Fitness).
CholesterolLowering Drugs Essay Research Paper Thirteen years
Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Essay, Research Paper Thirteen years ago, cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins were introduced as a treatment for people with heart disease. In the relatively short amount of time the drug has been available, it has been prescribed to nearly five million people. Originally, statins were introduced to prevent heart attacks and prolong the lives of people with existing heart disease or with a history of heart disease.
Cholesterol Essay Research Paper Oh Contriere There
Cholesterol Essay, Research Paper Oh Contriere There are several similarities and differences in William Shakespeare s My Mistress Eyes are Nothing Like the Sun, and John Donne s A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning. Theses two poems discuss and dissect relationships on two basic levels: one level deals with love, and the other level makes strong references to lust.
Cholesterol Essay Research Paper Cholesterol 1We have
Cholesterol Essay, Research Paper Cholesterol 1 We have all heard about cholesterol in the news. Cholesterol affects the health of everyone in the world. In order to put our cholesterol levels into equilibrium you first must know what cholesterol is.
Wellness Essay Research Paper Williams H Melvin
Wellness Essay, Research Paper Williams, H. Melvin. Lifetime Fitness and Wellness,4th edition McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 1996. In this paper we will be discussing wellness, and the information relative to this subject. Wellness is defined as the overall health of an individual. There are many points of wellness to discuss, such as the Wellness/Illness Continuum, 5 Domains of Wellness, Chronological Age vs.
Iron Increases Heart Disease Essay Research Paper
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) has afflicted man throughout history. Diet and hereditary factors obviously are the key components in developing this condition. Foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats are often implicated in hastening or aggravating heart disease. Many disease states such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension have also been shown to increase a persons chances for CAD.
Violence In Media Essay Research Paper 1From
Violence In Media Essay, Research Paper 1.From developing the family tree of the three generations I learned a lot about them. My parents were the source of this information about the three generations. I
Proteins Essay Research Paper Two Animal Products
Proteins Essay, Research Paper Two Animal Products vs. Two Protein Amino Acid Supplements The Protein and Amino Acid supplement make claims to build lean muscle mass in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise (especially weight training). Protein and Amino Acid supplement companies advocate eating 6-8 small healthy meals a day which allows the body to use food more efficiently throughout the day for increased energy and performance.
Herbs Essay Research Paper For more than
Herbs Essay, Research Paper For more than two thousand years, traditional Chinese medicine has relied on plants and herbs to cure minor and severe ailments and keep the body healthy. There are thousands of herbs from which to choose. Some have become rather well known, but most spend far less time in the limelight.
Lifting Weights Reduces Weight Essay Research Paper
Lifting Weights Reduces Weight We all know that regular aerobic exercise raises the Basic Metabolic Rate, or BMR which in turn burns calories, thus resulting in weight loss. There is, however, increasing evidence to support the idea that there is another way to increase metabolism and keep it up over a long period of time.
Untitled Essay Research Paper QUESTION What is
Untitled Essay, Research Paper QUESTION: What is Angina? And what is the cure? ================================ RESPONSE: Angina refers to the pain arising from lack of adequate blood supply to the
Cooperate W Your Cholesterol Essay Research Paper
Cooperate with your Cholesterol Cholesterol is an important part of cell membranes and is vital to the structure and function of all cells in your body. However, cholesterol is a pre-dominant substance in atherosclerotic plaque, which may develop in arteries and impede the flow of blood. Cholesterol is not the only lipid circulating in your blood stream.
The Truth About Fast Food Essay Research
Paper The truth about fast food restaurants. Fast food restaurants are a very quick and easy way to get food if you are in a hurry, but there is a dark side to this convenience. Most fast food restaurants are generally bad for both people and the environment. The production of food is in a way harmful to the environment.
Public Health Plan Essay Research Paper Wellness
Public Health Plan Essay, Research Paper Wellness Plan Quiz 2 Jim xxxxxxxx Public Health I would recommend a lot of changes for this patient, including exercise, change of diet, and cessation of his smoking habit, to name a few. This patient should use a lumbar support pillow in his chair at work, as well as a foot support, to alleviate strain on his lower back form sitting all day.
Obesity Essay Research Paper Obesity is a
Obesity Essay, Research Paper Obesity is a disease that affects at least 39 million Americans: more than one-quarter of all adults and about one in five children. Some people are more
Symptoms And Causes Of Heart Attacks Essay
, Research Paper “Symptoms and Causes of Heart Attacks” A heart attack (myocardial infarction) is the death of heart muscle due to the loss of blood supply. Usually, the loss of blood supply is caused by a complete blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot. A coronary artery is an artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle.
Dietary Guidelines For Americans Essay Research Paper
The 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Eat a variety of foods. I’m really bad in this area. I usually eat the same things every day. I eat sandwiches for lunch and pizza for dinner. I need to implement a variety of foods into my diet.
Burger Wars Essay Research Paper Burger WarsForty
Burger Wars Essay, Research Paper Burger Wars Forty million customers are served every day by America’s biggest hamburger chains–McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s. In fact, many fast food restaurants are becoming an extension of the family kitchen. About two-thirds of all fast food is takeout, and most of that goes home.
Alcohol Essay Research Paper Should alcohol production
Alcohol Essay, Research Paper Should alcohol production, sale, and consumption be prohibited? I think not. For hundreds of years, man has had choices ? choices pertaining their food intake, their living quarters, and their life mates. Whether or not to consume alcohol has been a choice that man has had through recent history and is a choice which I believe should remain just that ? a choice.
Hypertension Essay Research Paper Hypertension is the
Hypertension Essay, Research Paper Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. A normal blood pressure is 120/80. A blood pressure reading higher or equal to 140/90 is considered abnormally high. Elevated blood pressure means your heart is working harder than normal, putting both your heart and arteries under great strain.
Diet Macronutrients Essay Research Paper My diet
Diet Macronutrients Essay, Research Paper My diet is acceptable in the following Macronutrients: dairy group (3 servings), vegetable soup (3 servings), fruit group (4 servings), and starch/grain (7
Why The Vegetarian Diet Is Best Essay
, Research Paper Why the Vegetarian Diet is Best The vegetarian diet is becoming increasingly popular all the time. Is the vegetarian or meat diet better? A
Poem Essay Research Paper Four Years Ago
Poem Essay, Research Paper Four Years Ago Today Today is the anniversary Of my brothers death Four years ago today God layed him down for eternal rest Four years ago today
Winning Isn
’t Evrything Essay, Research Paper Vince Lombardi?s famous saying ?Winning isn?t the most important thing. It?s the only thing? is unfortunately the motto of too many athletes today.