Things to know about cholesterol

Some people think that cholesterol is the cause of diseases such as heart, stroke … In fact, cholesterol is a necessary natural substance in the body. Bad conditions only happen when there is excess cholesterol in the blood than needed.
Cholesterol is a component of blood lipids, an indispensable factor in the operation of nerve fiber cells, as well as in the production of certain hormones, helping the body to function normally and healthy.

Cholesterol gives cell membranes strength and flexibility, and plays a vital role in the production of hormones, vitamin D, and fat digestion. Therefore, it can be said that cholesterol plays an important role in almost all bodily activities. Illustration In fact, there are two main types of cholesterol: low density lipoprotein (LDL – bad cholesterol) and high density lipoprotein (HDL – good cholesterol). When LDL levels rise, it can cause plaque buildup in the arteries, leading to heart disease and stroke. Conversely, high levels of HDL in the blood help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, helping to excrete excess cholesterol from the body. Since cholesterol does not interact well with the blood, it is transported by low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density (HDL) particles. The ideal cholesterol threshold for most adults is total cholesterol below 200 mg / dL, LDL below 100 mg / dL and HDL above 60 mg / dL. Illustration Normally, the liver makes all the cholesterol the body needs to function. However, the body can also absorb cholesterol through the consumption of animal products. When you consume more cholesterol from animals, your body compensates for it by lowering the amount of cholesterol naturally. Conversely, when the cholesterol supplied by the diet is low, the body will increase its natural cholesterol production to ensure that there is always an adequate amount of this important substance. In fact, cholesterol in the body comes from food sources only about 20%, the rest is produced by the liver. Besides, cholesterol in the diet also has a partial impact on the ratio of LDL and HDL in the body. LDL index increases, HDL index drops low, alarming the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, eating cholesterol-rich foods will significantly increase cholesterol levels in the body is a complete misconception. About 80% of cholesterol in the body is produced in the liver, not from food that we tolerate on a daily basis. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have high cholesterol in their blood. However, thin people can still have high cholesterol. Thin people also need to worry about increased blood cholesterol. Illustration In addition, people with unhealthy lifestyles, very sedentary, with some genetic disorders, the elderly … may also be at risk of hypercholesterolemia in the blood. Create a regular and healthy living routine for yourself. It is important to understand cholesterol in order to have the right diet. In fact, cholesterol is not quite a harmful substance, it is also a natural substance that is essential for health.