Most people fear cholesterol, believing it is all bad. But new studies found that people actually need some cholesterol to be healthy.
Cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance produced by the liver. The body transports cholesterol from the liver by coating it with a water-soluble “bubble” of protein called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) carry cholesterol to the tissues. This is the “bad” cholesterol. High LDL levels are linked to increased risk for heart disease. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) carry excess cholesterol back to the liver, which processes and excretes it. The more HDLs, “good” cholesterol, the body has, the lower the risk of heart disease.
The body actually needs a good amount of cholesterol to function properly.
Cholesterol is essential for cell structure, healthy brain development, as well as in producing hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and adrenal hormones. It also boosts metabolism because cholesterol helps the body produce vitamin D. Cholesterol produces bile acids that help the body digest fat and absorb essential nutrients.
Dr. Nicky Montoya says, “A healthy HDL level may protect against heart attack and stroke.” Too much LDL, on the other hand, causes fatty buildups or plaques that narrow arteries, raising the risk for heart attack and stroke.
Too high LDL levels can cause atherosclerosis, a dangerous accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of the arteries, reducing blood flow. That can lead to chest pain and heart attack if it occurs in the arteries of the heart, and stroke if it occurs in the arteries of the brain.
A low cholesterol level can also cause health problems. “Some pregnant women with low total cholesterol are more likely to give birth prematurely and have babies with low birth weight. Low total cholesterol level has also been linked to cancer, hemorrhagic stroke, anxiety and depression,” says Dr. Montoya.
He recommends keeping the total cholesterol level under 200 mg/dl (milligrams per decilitre), about the average for adults.
A normal cholesterol level can be maintained through a healthy lifestyle. Lean meat and fish should be added to the diet at least twice a week. Two and a half hours of workout each week can also help lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Most importantly, Dr. Montoya advises against smoking as it damages the walls of the blood vessels resulting in the accumulation of fatty deposits.
He also recommends regular cholesterol test, a blood test that measures the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. A cholesterol test is essential, especially if a person has a family history of high cholesterol levels or heart disease, is overweight, drinks alcohol frequently, smokes, has diabetes, kidney disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, or underactive thyroid gland. He suggests testing every five years beginning at age 20.
MediCard has free-standing clinics in key cities nationwide that offer blood cholesterol test and consultations.