Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in the walls of cells in all parts of the body, from the nervous system to the liver to the heart. The body uses cholesterol to make hormones, bile acids, vitamin D, and other substances.
Two main kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol in the blood:
*Low density lipoprotein, or LDL, which also is called the “bad” cholesterol because it carries cholesterol to tissues, including the arteries. It can add to the build-up of plaque (fatty deposits) in the arteries and increase the risk of getting heart disease.
*High density lipoprotein, or HDL, which also is called the “good” cholesterol because it takes cholesterol from tissues to the liver, which removes it from the body.
Raised LDL levels can increase the risk of heart attacks (myocardial infarction - MI), chest pain (angina), narrowing of the blood vessels (peripheral artery disease) and stroke – as a group these are called cardio vascular disease (CVD).
High cholesterol levels in blood are mainly caused by eating foods high in saturated fats and trans-fats, and not including foods with unsaturated fats and with fiber.
Example of foods containing saturated fats and trans-fats –such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, butter, coconut oil, palm oil and most deep-fried takeaway foods and commercially baked products, such as pies, biscuits, buns and pastries. Foods high in trans-fats include most commercially baked products and deep-fried takeaway foods.
Among foods that can lowered the cholesterol: oats, barley and other whole grain, bean, egg plant and okra, nuts, vegetable oils, fruits {apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits), soy, fatty fish, and fiber supplements.
Cholesterol and human health
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