Cholesterol

Cholesterol:
Cholesterol is white crystalline solid compound produced by liver and plays an important role in blood plasma and cell membranes. Cholesterol,triglyceride are different forms of storage substances of fats in the body. Chemical structure of cholesterol is C27-H4-OH and triglyceride is CHOH2-CHOH-CHOH2.

To maintain an optimal health, cholesterol and triglycerides are essential. Cholesterol and triglycerides play an important role in cell development but if they cross normal level which is essential for body chemical reactions, it will distress the health. Our body has the capacity to prepare required cholesterol or fats. But people intake certain junk foods (pastas, pizzas,fast foods, Burgers, Oils etc) which increases fat levels in body and considered as cholesterol foods. Lack of exercise, food habits, busy life style are some of the reasons effecting increase in cholesterol levels in body.

Lipid profile test gives total analysis of cholesterol and triglycerides percentage in body. People always focus on cholesterol levels and ignore triglycerides percentage due to lack of awareness. This became main reason for so many health problems. In India, people have more triglycerides percentage when compared to cholesterol level in blood. This shares main percentage in causing heart related problems.

When ever we eat food, calories will be released. Liver will transform them into glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides and release to blood. Glucose will transform quickly into energy but cholesterol and triglycerides will remain in body as energy deposits. in extreme conditions when body requires energy, these cholesterol and triglycerides will be utilized as energy. But now a days these cholesterol and triglycerides are never utilized and their levels are increasing gradually day by day.

There are two types of cholesterol in the body
1) HDL-High-density lipoprotein ( good cholesterol) .
2) LDL-Low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol).

Increased levels of HDL cholesterol in body never harm to body. But LDL cholesterol will settle on blood vessels and disturbs the blood flow and increased levels of LDL gradually closes the blood vessels and interrupts blood flow. On the other hand, triglycerides saturate on blood vessels and gradually converted to LDL. By this action, heart will face trouble to take blood filled with oxygen. When ever blood vessels are completely closed, the person will be affected with severe heart attack.

Normal cholesterol levels or cholesterol ratios:
LDL which ranges in between '130 -200mg/dl 0r 50-95% MESA' is considered as high rates of LDL cholesterol. Triglycerides which ranges in 200-499 mg/dl considered as risk levels where as normal level is lesser to those two.

Obesity is only one of the reason, there are several reasons which causes increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. People who are having smoking and alcohol drinking habits will suffer from increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides percentage in the body. Diabetes and lack of exercise are other main reasons.

Activities to lower cholesterol:

Need to exercise at-least 30 minutes everyday.
Need to leave smoking and alcohol habits.
Reduce the intake of pasta's, pizza's, burgers and fast foods which increases cholesterol levels in the body.
Need to intake fresh vegetables and millet's.
Avoid Chocolates,Tea and coffee with added sugars.
In serious conditions need to take surgery for removing excess cholesterol from body.
Regularly check BMI(body mass index) and it should be less than 24.
Foods which have omega-3-fatty acids like fish,flax seeds have capacity to lower triglycerides levels in body.