High Cholesterol: An In-Depth View

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance produced by the liver. The body uses it to construct certain hormones and vitamin D, to make cell membranes, and to produce the bile acids necessary to digest fats. Cholesterol is transported through the blood as a cholesterol-proteins complex. There are two main types of cholesterol-protein complexes in the body: low-density-lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called "bad" cholesterol, and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol. LDL transports cholesterol throughout the body. HDL snags any extra LDL and brings it back to the liver for recycling and reuse.

What is High Cholesterol?

Blood cholesterol levels are measured for both LDL and HDL. Ideally, LDL levels should be low and HDL levels high. If LDL levels are too high, you have high cholesterol.

What Causes High Cholesterol?

For some people, there is a genetic component to cholesterol levels. Their livers simply produce too much LDL, or their cells can't adequately make use of it. For most people, however, high cholesterol is caused by two things: a poor diet and lack of exercise. A diet high in fat and cholesterol can raise LDL levels over time. HDL is produced in part in response to exercise. Thus, less exercise equals less HDL. Less HDL means that there is not enough available to remove all the excess LDL from the blood. Over time, it builds up.

What are the Complications of Having High Cholesterol Levels?

When cholesterol is allowed to build up, it can cause serious problems. Cholesterol molecules stick to the wall of blood vessels and too each other. They grow steadily larger as more excess cholesterol floats by, and eventually they begin to cut off the flow of blood. If this happens in the heart, it can result in a heart attack. In the brain, it's called a stroke. Until it results in a heart-attack or stroke, high cholesterol has no symptoms. Because of this, it is very important to have regular blood cholesterol tests. While the consequences can be dire, if caught early, high cholesterol is very treatable.

What is the Best Treatment for High Cholesterol?

The absolute best treatment for high cholesterol is diet and exercise. Limiting fat and cholesterol intake insures that there isn't a constant cholesterol overload and gives your body a chance to deal with the fatty deposits that have already built up. Exercise helps raise circulating HDL levels. The extra HDL can catch and remove more of the LDL. Exercise and diet, if done consistently and followed stringently, will lower cholesterol in everyone. This treatment program does require commitment and dedication, though, and it'll take some time before you see results. Don't get impatient, and don't give up. For most people, these simple lifestyle changes are enough. For some, however, the cholesterol-lowering benefits of diet and exercise are not sufficient on their own. Fortunately, there are many effective medications available to reduce high cholesterol. Talk to your doctor about what treatment options will work best for you. And remember, while you will not have any symptoms from your high cholesterol, it is still very dangerous, and it's important to commit to whatever treatment works.

Sources:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/high_cholesterol

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-cholesterol

Photo Credit: bionicgrrrl

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