CHOLESTEROL

Cholesterol is nothing but a type of fat, a lipid specifically, which is involved in many physiological processes as the phone, digestive and the synthesis of hormones, among other functions.

Our liver is capable of producing cholesterol necessary for the Agency. However, through the food, we can receive an additional amount of cholesterol which, on many occasions, is detrimental to health, especially for the heart.

 Detailed information: the cholesterol

Cholesterol HDL - good cholesterol

HDL particles transport cholesterol from the cells back to the liver, where it can be eliminated from the body. HDL cholesterol is called "good cholesterol" because it is believed that high levels of this substance to reduce cardiovascular risk.

People with low levels of HDL have an increased cardiovascular risk, even if your total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dl. Low levels of HDL are often a result of physical inactivity, obesity or smoking. It is also common that people suffering from type 2 diabetes have low levels of HDL cholesterol.

The men, in general, have lower levels of HDL cholesterol than women, because the female hormone estrogen increases the HDL. But when women stop menstruating, their levels of HDL can reduce.

Bad cholesterol

 LDL particles transport cholesterol to the cells. LDL cholesterol is often called "bad cholesterol" because it is believed that high levels of this substance contribute to cardiovascular disease. An excess of LDL in the blood leads to an accumulation of fat (called «plate») on the walls of the arteries, which begins the process of atherosclerotic disease.

When it is accumulated plaque in coronary arteries that irrigate the heart, increases the risk of a heart attack. The levels of LDL may be high in people whose diet has a high content of saturated fat, cholesterol, or both.

Sometimes an underactive thyroid gland (called "hypothyroidism") can also raise LDL levels.

When too much LDL (bad) in the blood circulates, it can slowly accumulate in the inner walls of the arteries supplying the heart and brain. Together with other substances, can form plaque, a thick and hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and which are less flexible. This is called atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks an artery close, can occur a heart attack or an attack on the brain.