Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that most animal world and the largest from the standpoint of such metabolic precursors of steroid hormones.
This is a plant sterol that has two origin:
- An exogenous origin: Food
- Origin of endogenous biosynthesis. Liver is one of the main sites of synthesis.
Cholesterol is present in all cells. High levels can lead to gallstones or a risk factor for atherosclerosis.
This can take two forms:
- Free form that is not combined with other substances. Cholesterol is located on the surface of lipoprotein
- Esterified forms associated with fatty acid to form steroids. Low hydrophilic character that can exist in several forms and then completely removed.
- Cholesterol is an important component of our cells. This is a fundamental component of cell membranes: a significant portion of cholesterol is used for the formation of the plasma membrane fat layer. It also has a role in membrane fluidity.
- Cholesterol is a steroid hormone precursors.
- Cholesterol is among others used by our body to produce substances such as vitamin D.
- This is an important constituent of bile.
imgLa concept of “good” and “bad cholesterol”
Obviously, no two different molecules of cholesterol. But blood cholesterol are transported in the transport system in a very different role: lipoprotein (LDL smaller density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein). That’s why we distinguish between HDL cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, together make up total cholesterol.
- HDL cholesterol in restoring the body has too much to take it to heart where removed. They have the power to clean our streets of all low-quality fat and reduce the risk of seeing atherosclerotic plaque. The term “good cholesterol”.
- LDL cholesterol deposited on artery walls. He then formed gradually, real dishes fats, called atheroma. This refers to this as “bad cholesterol”.
Epidemiologic studies have shown that excess “bad cholesterol” and the lack of “good cholesterol” is a risk factor for heart disease. Cholesterol is one of the agents that cause atherosclerosis causes heart disease.
Two types of treatment:
- Diet plan tailored to standardize hyperlipemia. A diet rich in saturated fats raise cholesterol levels and lipoprotein LDL, whereas a diet rich in polyunsaturated fats reduced these parameters.
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs. There are two categories of drugs: fibrates so-called second generation has a strong influence on the height of the combined cholesterol and triglycerides (especially useful in diabetics) and statins, which have a strong effect of lowering LDL cholesterol, while slightly lower triglycerides and raise good cholesterol moderate . This treatment is important because they are an important part of proper management of diabetes. In fact, many people with diabetes have high levels of “bad cholesterol” is too high.
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