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When it comes to heart disease, cholesterol has a long-standing reputation as the usual suspect. Being so firmly associated with such a life-threatening condition, it isn't surprising how some people have learned to take all possible measures just to avoid cholesterol completely. Lowering cholesterol levels has become a constant hot topic, not only among health buffs and the medical community but also among the public in general. Newspapers and magazines weren't slow to get in on the buzz, as people clamored for ways to keep the menacing substance out of their systems.
But in recent years, questions have been raised about cholesterol that go beyond just how best to get rid of it. For one thing: is cholesterol really as dangerous as it sounds? Can a substance found in so many kinds of food be really all that bad?
First, we should understand just what cholesterol is, exactly. Cholesterol is a substance primarily produced in the liver. Despite its infamy, it actually serves several important functions in the bodily systems. It aids in digestive processes, in the maintenance and formation of cell membranes, and in keeping sex hormones functioning properly. High concentrations of cholesterol can be found in certain major organs such as the brain, blood, liver, and bile.
There are two types of cholesterol found in the body. The first type is the low-density lipoproteins (LDL). This is the 'bad' cholesterol that one should steer clear of. This kind of cholesterol comes primarily from food-particularly, those of animal origin. LDLs do the body no good, and can cause clogged arteries and various heart ailments.
Meanwhile, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are the 'good cholesterol'. They help the body get rid of the dangerous LDLs. Higher HDL levels can therefore reduce one's risk of heart disease. However, once they've traveled through the bloodstream, HDLs are converted into LDLs. There is still little information on why and how often this transformation takes place. The most common advice is to keep a healthy balance of the two kinds of cholesterol.
There are several factors to keep in mind for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, the first one being food. Since much of the bad cholesterol comes from animal-based and fatty food products, diet is critical in keeping LDL levels in check. Some researchers also link excessive sugar and alcohol intake to higher cholesterol. Stress is also considered a cause of increased production of cholesterol in the body.
Much has yet to be known and confirmed about cholesterol and how best to deal with it for optimal health. Still, it would do anyone good to err on the safe side; that is, steer clear of foods known to raise harmful LDLs and try to avoid undue stress. A good rule of thumb to remember is that when it comes to cholesterol-as with most things-balance is key.
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