Facts about cholesterol

Cholesterol is a major factor for occurrence of heart attacks. It is the main component of atheroma. Atheroma is the fatty deposit in the arterial walls that blocks them and obstructs the flow of blood in them. Cholesterol is a sterol, manufactured in the liver., is a normal constituent of the cells of animals including man


Source of cholesterol in food:


Cholesterol is found in animal tissues in abundance like liver, kidneys, brain, egg yolks. Animal fats such as ghee, butter, lard, suet and cream are also rich sources of cholesterol.
Plants do not manufacture cholesterol and all plant food and vegetable oils are devoid of cholesterol. Nuts and seeds do not contain cholesterol.

The level of our blood cholesterol depends upon our diet, in addition to that manufactured by our liver.


Cholesterol in the Blood



Cholesterol circulates in the blood in combination with lipoproteins of varying densities. Low and very low density cholesterol (LDL and VLDL) is bad cholesterol because it produces atheroma and clogs the arteries. High density lipoprotein cholesterol or HDL is good cholesterol as it reduces the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood and prevents its deposition in the arteries. Physical activity and exercise raise the level of HDL in the blood. Small amounts of alcohol also raise HDL levels.

By burning off cholesterol, like any other fat, exercise lowers the level of total blood cholesterol. Saturated fats (ghee, butter, margarine, vegetable ghee) increase the level of bad cholesterol, LDL and total cholesterol by stimulating its production by the body.

Cigarette smoking, laziness and physical inactivity lower the good cholesterol and raise the bad cholesterol and are therefore risk factors for the heart. Overuse of cars and scooters is an important reason for our inactivity and laziness and the consequent rise in blood cholesterol levels, and the resultant rise in the incidence of heart attacks.


Normal Levels of Blood Cholesterol


Cholesterol (total): 130-220 mg/dl
HDL-cholesterol: 30-90 mg/dl
LDL-cholesterol: Total cholesterol minus HDL
Total cholesterol: HDL ratio: up to 4
Triglycerides (neutral fats): up 200 mg%


How to Lower Cholesterol Levels



• Diet - generally vegetarian; fish is an advantage.
• Increased physical activity and regular exercise.
• Consumption of vegetable oils which do not solidify in winter, such as mustard oil, soya bean oil, corn oil, in preference to animal fats.
• Restrict the use of ghee in application to chapattis and butter to toasts.
• Avoid eggs, organ meat (brain, liver, kidneys).
• Stop smoking to raise the good cholesterol HDL.

If after a trial of 6 months, the blood cholesterol levels do not fall below 220 mg per cent, preferably 200 mg per cent, the question of instituting cholesterol-lowering drugs like Lovastatin may have to be considered by your physician.

In case the initial level is very high, e.g. 300 mg per cent, Lovastatin may have to be started immediately along with the low cholesterol diet.

This article is also published in India Study Channel