What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol refers to a kind of fat that is waxy in consistency. It can either be fat or lipids that move throughout the body and enter the bloodstream. Lipids are hydrophobic substances, which means they repel water and do not dissolve in water. This is the reason they do not come apart in blood. The body makes cholesterol. Cholesterol can also be added to the body via food. Cholesterol is absent in plants and is found only in animal-based products. Every cell and every tissue in the body requires cholesterol.
Cholesterol aids in the attachment of cell membranes with another to form layers. The layers are created to protect the contents within the cell. In other words, cholesterol helps the gatekeepers of the cell to function correctly. Cholesterol is made with the help of the liver and is also utilized by the liver in order to produce bile juice. Bile helps in the digestion of food. Cholesterol is necessary for hormonal balance as well as the production of vitamin D. When there is excess cholesterol in the body, it may pose a problem. Too much of anything is not good. High cholesterol levels are called hypercholesterolemia, and low cholesterol levels are termed hypocholesterolemia.
What Are the Types of Cholesterol?
Cholesterol swims throughout the body and is carried by lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are found in the blood. There are mainly three kinds of cholesterol, as mentioned below:
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Low-density lipoprotein or LDL is generally called bad cholesterol.
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High-density lipoprotein or HDL, known as the good cholesterol.
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Very low-density lipoprotein or VLDL that carries and transports triglycerides.
What Is Low-Density Lipoprotein or LDL?
Low-density lipoprotein has the ability to build upon the walls of the arteries of the heart. This will make the coronary arteries narrow and will thus lead to coronary artery disease in the long run. The fatty accumulation forms plaque that piles on the arteries leading to blockages. This blockage in the artery due to plaque lineup is called atherosclerosis. These arteries cannot be damaged because they carry oxygen-rich blood to the body.
In diet, saturated fats and trans fats must be minimized in order to keep low-density lipoprotein at bay. Saturated fats are present in meat, milk, butter, and cheese. Trans fats are present in fried food and fast food, and that food that has a long shelf life, for example, cookies, baked foods, and crackers.
What Is High-Density Lipoprotein or HDL?
High-density lipoprotein is called good cholesterol. This is because it removes the bad cholesterol. In other words, it carries away low-density lipoprotein far away from the heart. High-density lipoprotein also catches the lousy cholesterol in the arteries and other body parts and brings them to the liver. From there, they are excreted out of the body. It has also been studied and suggested that high-density lipoprotein has the potential to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and other cardiac conditions.
What Are the Tests to Measure Cholesterol?
Once a human being has reached the age of 20, it is advised to get their cholesterol checked routinely due to the lifestyle change that has become more sedentary and the inclusion of junk foods in one’s diet. The healthcare provider will request specific tests that indicate the amount of cholesterol present in the bloodstream. It is also suggested to fast for a period of nine to twelve hours before the test. The results are generally ready within two days. Mentioned below are some of the tests that can be done to measure cholesterol levels:
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Total cholesterol test.
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Low-density lipoprotein levels.
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High-density lipoprotein levels.
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Very low-density lipoprotein levels.
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Triglycerides level.
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Non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol test.
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The ratio between high-density lipoprotein and cholesterol.
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Lipid profile.
What Are the Normal Levels of Cholesterol?
Standard cholesterol levels differ and are dependent on factors such as age and gender. Mentioned below are the normal levels of different types of cholesterol:
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Total Cholesterol:
The total cholesterol present in individuals below the age of 19 should be less than 170 mg/dL, and men above the age of 20 should have a total cholesterol range of 125 mg/dL to 200 mg/dL. In the case of females above 20 years, the normal total cholesterol present in them should be within the range of 125 mg/dL to 200 mg/dL.
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Low-Density and High-Density Lipoproteins:
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Individuals younger than 19 years of age should have low-density lipoprotein less than 110 mg/dL and high-density lipoprotein of more than 45 mg/dL. If they have low-density lipoprotein greater or equal to 130 mg/dL, they are considered to have high cholesterol.
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Males above the age of 20 should have low-density lipoprotein less than 100 mg/dL and high-density lipoprotein of 40 mg/dL or even higher. In case they have low-density lipoprotein within the scope of 160 mg/dL to 189 mg/dL or higher, they are considered to have high cholesterol.
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Females above the age of 20 should have low-density lipoprotein less than 100 mg/dL and high-density lipoprotein of 50 mg/dL or even higher. In case they have low-density lipoprotein within the range of 160 mg/dL to 189 mg/dL or higher, they are considered to have high cholesterol.
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Very Low-Density Lipoproteins:
VLDL (Very low-density lipoproteins) is considered more dangerous than the other two types of lipoproteins. Their normal value should range between 2 to 30 mg/dL. However, there might be a variation in the normal value depending on the laboratory in which the test is taken.
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Triglycerides:
Normal fasting triglyceride level in children below the age of 10 years is 75 mg/dL and 90 mg/dL in children and teenagers between 11 and 19. In the case of adults, the average triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL. It is borderline if it falls between 151 to 199 mg/dL, and values above 200 mg/dL are considered high.
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Non-High Density Lipoproteins:
Non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol value is obtained by subtracting the total cholesterol value from the HDL value. The normal range usually stands at less than 130 mg/dL.
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HDL and Total Cholesterol Ratio:
The ratio between high-density lipoprotein and cholesterol is ideally 3.5. This is significant in determining the risk of developing acute myocardial infarction. Therefore, women with a ratio greater than 3.5 are considered risk groups.
Conclusion:
Cholesterol is the amount of fat present in the body. It is produced within the body but can also be increased by our food. Low-density lipoproteins are considered flawed, whereas high-density lipoprotein is deemed good because they do not attach to the walls of the heart arteries and carry any lipoprotein attached to the coronary arteries. Keeping a healthy weight and controlling blood sugar as well as blood pressure are some ways to keep the cholesterol parameters at an optimum level.
