Cholesterol occurs naturally in the liver – it is a waxy and fatty substance, which exists in all parts of our body – and is then transported by proteins throughout the body through the bloodstream. It is an essential building block for cell membranes and is also necessary to produce hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help us digest fatty foods.
However, lifestyle and genetics can cause our bodies to produce too much cholesterol. When cholesterol builds up in the arteries, it can block blood flow, which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.
A healthy diet is one way to help keep cholesterol levels under control.
Although avoiding foods high in cholesterol may be beneficial for some, the American Heart Association, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agree that the approach The most effective diet for lowering cholesterol is to eat foods that contain unsaturated fats rather than those that contain saturated or trans fats.
Knowing cholesterol
Cholesterol is classified into two groups, based on the type of protein that carries it through the bloodstream:
-The cholesterol carried by low-density lipoproteins, or LDL cholesterol , which is prone to accumulation, and which we often know as ‘bad cholesterol’.
-Cholesterol carried by high-density lipoproteins, or HDL cholesterol , which works like a garbage truck, collecting negative cholesterol from the arteries and taking it back to the liver for elimination. For this reason, it is known as ‘good cholesterol’.
The main key in controlling cholesterol is following a diet that promotes low levels of bad cholesterol and high levels of good cholesterol.
As we have mentioned, the consumption of fats affects this balance because the fatty acids bind to the liver cells and regulate the production of cholesterol. Let’s learn about another series of key factors to keep cholesterol at bay and enjoy a happy and healthy existence.
