Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to work properly. But if you have too much in your blood, it can stick to the walls of your arteries. This is called plaque. Plaque can narrow your arteries or even block them.

High levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of heart disease. Your cholesterol levels tend to rise as you get older. There are usually no signs or symptoms that you have high blood cholesterol, but it can be detected with a blood test. You are likely to have high cholesterol if members of your family have it, if you are overweight or if you eat a lot of fatty foods.

You can lower your cholesterol by exercising more and eating more fruits and vegetables. You also may need to take medicine to lower your cholesterol.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Cholesterol on Wikipedia

'''Cholesterol''' is a steroid lipid, found in the cell membranes of all body tissues, and transported in the blood plasma of all animals. Most cholesterol is not dietary in origin, it is synthesized internally. It is present in higher concentrations in tissues which either produce more or have more densely packed membranes; for example the liver, spinal cord, brain and atheroma. Cholesterol plays a central role in many biochemistry processes, but is best known for the association of cardiovascular disease with various lipoprotein cholesterol hypercholesterolemia patterns in the blood.

History of the name

The name originates from the Greek ''chole-'' (bile) and ''stereos'' (solid), as researchers first identified cholesterol in solid form in gallstones.

Physiology

Synthesis and intake

Cholesterol is primarily synthesized from acetyl CoA through the HMG-CoA reductase pathway in many cell (biology)s/biological_tissue. About 20–25% of total daily production (~1 gram/day) occurs in the liver, other sites of higher synthesis rates include the intestines, adrenal glands and reproductive organs. For a person of about 150 pounds (68 kg), typical total body content is about 35 gram, typical daily internal production is about 1 g and typical daily dietary intake is 200 to 300 mg. Of the 1,200 to 1,300 mg input to the intestines (via bile production and food intake), about 50% is typically reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Properties

Cholesterol is minimally soluble in water; it cannot dissolve and travel in the water-based bloodstream. Instead, it is transported in the bloodstream by lipoproteins; protein "molecular-suitcases" which are water ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Ash Central - Specializes in sarcastic comedy, but "we also do windows, are good with kids and are cholesterol free".

Oral Chelation - A full explanation of heart disease, more than 500 pages of easy to understand technical data about the causes and preventives for heart disease and stroke. The most complete explanation about intravenous chelation therapy, oral chelation, cholesterol lowering drugs and related subjects.

Clear Your Arteries and Save Your Life - Method of clearing arteries that become blocked either fully or partially with fatty plaque. Information about cholesterol, heart attack, stroke, heart disease, angina, and atherosclerosis.

Weight Loss and Cholesterol Lowering - Cookbooks for weight loss and cholesterol lowering diet plans.

Premier Emu Products - A source of Emu Oil and Emu Oil Products, from various companies, designed to help ease pain, heal wounds and burns, and lower cholesterol.

Ayurvedanta - Supplement to reverse arthritis, lower cholesterol, and prevent heart disease. Includes ingredients and dosage instructions.

Pharma Botanixx - On-line source for herbal formulas to relieve common conditions such as anxiety, stress, high cholesterol, impotency and weight loss.

Kardovite - Herbal products, heart drops, natural herbal medicine for heart disease that may help with clogged arteries, circulation, angina pain and cholesterol levels.

Remedies USA - Offering anethum which is a natural herbal remedy for high triglycerides and cholesterol.

Sunex 8 - Sells herbal supplements as tea bags and capsules. Popular items include the Dieter's tea, Ginseng Tea, Ginger and mushroom teas for cholesterol.