0
en
US
WSM
212064670
X
× SuperSmart Learn by health topic New articles Popular articles
Visit our shop My account Smart Prescription Blog Loyalty scheme Language: English
Blood sugar & Cholesterol Features

Everything you need to know about good and bad cholesterol!

Some explanation is needed then to clarify exactly what is meant by cholesterol, hypercholesterolaemia, ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol and a cholesterol-lowering diet.
Rédaction Supersmart.
2018-03-12 (blog.publication: 2018-03-14)Comments (0)

What exactly is cholesterol?

Before we get onto the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol, it’s worth restating the definition of cholesterol. As its name suggests, it is a sterol! In other words, cholesterol is a lipid, a macronutrient which the body needs to ensure certain essential functions. For example, cholesterol forms part of the composition of cell membranes, it is involved in synthesising bile salts essential for lipid digestion and it acts as a precursor in the production of several molecules. In particular, cholesterol plays a part in the synthesis of vitamins and hormones: vitamin D, cortisol, progesterone, testosterone …

What is hypercholesterolaemia?

While cholesterol is essential for a number of the body’s functions, excessive levels present risks to health. This is what specialists term hypercholesterolaemia, a metabolic disorder and one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In excess, cholesterol accumulates on artery walls leading to the formation of fatty plaques called atheroma. Known as atherosclerosis, this generally manifests in hypertension and can result in serious health complications including stroke and heart attack …

How are ‘good’ and ‘bad cholesterol defined?

You’ve no doubt heard of ‘good fats’ and ‘bad fats’, which are distinguished by their chemical structure. You might imagine that it’s the same for ‘good’ cholesterol and ‘bad’ cholesterol, yet the difference between them is of quite a different order. Contrary to common perception, they are in fact two transporters of cholesterol. Biochemically, they are described as lipoproteins – complexes of lipids and proteins which enable fats to be transported in the bloodstream. ‘Good’ cholesterol refers to high-density lipoprotein or HDL-cholesterol, while ‘bad’ cholesterol corresponds to low-density lipoprotein or LDL-cholesterol.

Why distinguish between the two?

Specialists advise us to distinguish between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol as the latter promotes the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood, while the former enables it to be broken down in the liver. LDL-cholesterol is thus termed ‘bad’ because it transports cholesterol towards the body’s tissues, while HDL-cholesterol is ‘good’ because it carries it towards the liver where it is eliminated. A high level of ‘bad’ cholesterol is often symptomatic of a diet that’s too high in cholesterol, hypercholesterolaemia and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

What is a cholesterol-lowering diet?

In the case of hypercholesterolaemia, doctors generally recommend adopting a cholesterol-lowering diet to reduce the risk of health problems. The top 10 anti-cholesterol foods include fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, pulses, and antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables. In recent years, scientific research has also identified other natural anti-cholesterol products. Among them are red yeast rice, a traditional product from the Chinese pharmacopoeia which can lower levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol, and policosanol, a compound extracted from sugar cane which reduces total cholesterol levels via different mechanisms. Scientific research on ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol has also led to the formulation of Sytrinol™, a natural anti-cholesterol supplement the efficacy of which has been recognised by a number of clinical studies.

SharePinterest

Comments

You must be connected to your account to leave a comment
Be the first to review this article
Our selection of articles
Virtues of moringa
Moringa: the 4 virtues of the Tree of Life

Moringa oleifera, or ‘Tree of Life’, is a key plant in the diet and traditional pharmacopoeia of many tropical countries, reputed to be able to treat 300 diseases. Here we focus on 4 of its key benefits.

Glycaemic load of foods
Glycaemic load: summary table

Keen to follow a low-glycaemic load diet? This table lists both the glycaemic index and glycaemic load of common foods in alphabetical order

Triglycerides in the bloodstream
Hypertriglyceridaemia: what can you do about it ?

Having high blood triglycerides can pose a risk to health. The good news is there are ways in which it can be dramatically lowered. Read on for all the details.

Berberis vulgaris or barberry rich in berberine
Berberine - an effective and powerful activator of AMPK

In the United States, berberine is one of those substances that people just can’t get enough of. Though previously little-known among Western populations, it is now becoming the new anti-ageing and anti-diabetes weapon, because by improving insulin sensitivity and facilitating the transport of glucose into cells, it appears to be as effective as conventional drugs at enhancing the body’s ability to use glucose and insulin and so lower blood sugar.

Various low GI foods
Low glycaemic index foods: what are they and why should we eat them?

It’s not just diabetics or obese individuals who benefit from knowing which foods have a low glycaemic index. Discover which foods fall into this category.

Woman suffering from insulin resistance
Insulin resistance: definition, symptoms and natural treatments

Insulin resistance is a silent condition that can cause serious complications. Discover how to identify it.

Products which must be of interest

© 1997-2024 Supersmart.com® - All rights reserved
© 1997-2024 Supersmart.com®
All rights reserved
Nortonx
secure
Warning
ok