ROLE OF CHOLESTEROL IN OUR BODY

Thinking about how bad cholesterol is for your body? Let us have all your attention and talk about the “Role of Cholesterol in the Human Body.”

Research says, “India shows increasing numbers in total cholesterol levels. A recent study reported high cholesterol in 25-30% of urban and 15-20% of rural parts of India.” 

However, it is a myth that cholesterol is completely bad for health. Every element produced by the body has a function. It is the deficiency or excess which harms the body. 

Do you know that there are two2 types of cholesterol?

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) 
• High-intensity lipoprotein (HDL) 

Not all cholesterol categories are harmful; they also play a crucial role in building cells and producing hormones and vitamins. 

Cholesterol is essential to produce Vitamin D, cell membranes and hormones. The liver and the food we eat are the vital producers of cholesterol.

Some spherical particles called lipoproteins are carried in your bloodstream with fats and cholesterol.

Cholesterol is waxy in texture, which is why excess cholesterol in the body can hamper health.

Table of contents

1. What Is LDL Cholesterol?

2. What Is HDL Cholesterol?

3. Role Of Cholesterol In Our Body

4. The Final Say 

5. FAQs

What Is Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol?

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known to be bad cholesterol. When there is a rise of LDL in your body, there are high chances of stroke, heart attack or other cardiovascular diseases as it deposits in your arteries. 

The LDL value should be less than 70mg/dL. 

Although excess LDL, also known as bad cholesterol, is highly harmful to heart health, it is also essential for the body to create a protective layer around the nerves, cells and healthy hormones. 

There are two sources of cholesterol production in our body:

1. From the foods you eat

2. Liver 

Cholesterol does not dissolve with blood and is carried back to the liver through lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are particles which are made of protein and fat. 

You can efficiently maintain LDL levels with some simple changes to your lifestyle-

1. Quit smoking.

2. Keep your health weight intact.

3. Practice physical exercise.

4. Avoid high-fat foods, saturated fats, and extra calories.

What Is High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol?

High-density lipoprotein, known as good cholesterol, helps to transport the fat molecules in the body. The HDL absorbs cholesterol and carries it all to the liver, where the liver flushes it out of our body. 

The HDL level should be 50mg/dL.

Your body's high HDL level lowers the risk of stroke, heart attack or other cardiovascular diseases. 

Ways to increase the HDL cholesterol

1. Avoid consuming saturated fats in the form of junk.

2. Physical exercise at least five times a week.

3. Weight loss.

Role of cholesterol in the body

Cholesterol plays a crucial role in our body. Without cholesterol, T-cells (one type of white blood cell) would be unable to prolong the cell membranes and burst the cells.

Cholesterol also helps to produce sex hormones like progesterone and testosterone, while the adrenal gland generates other hormones. Aldosterone, the hormone for retaining water from kidneys and cortisol, the hormone important in suppressing inflammation in our body, are also 2 examples of hormones produced by cholesterol. 

With the help of cholesterol, bile acids are formulated. These are essential for breaking down fats, the digestive tract, and our body's absorption. 

They Final Say

Cholesterol enables many functions like sustaining the cell membranes and preventing rupturing of cells as well as absorption of fats by the presence of bile acids, stimulating the production of Vitamin D for bone health. 

LDL and HDL are two main types of cholesterol essential to the body. Some minor adjustments in your life and routine, like adding physical activity, avoiding high-fat things and not smoking, can significantly help reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol for your healthy heart. 

FAQs 

1. How to determine in case you have high cholesterol or not?

You need to take a lipid profile test on the advice of your health care professional to check the cholesterol level in your body. 

2. How frequently should cholesterol be checked?

You should check cholesterol levels every 3-4 years by considering your family history and heredity.

3. Which health issues can lead to high cholesterol?

Heredity, a diet high in fat, women with menopause, ageing, kidney diseases, thyroid and diabetes can be the possible causes of high cholesterol.

4. How to lower bad cholesterol naturally?

Diet high in proteins, vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds and physical exercises like walking, cycling, jogging and brisk walking can help lower LDL.

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