Cholesterol is both, our friend and foe – at normal levels, it is an essential substance for the body’s normal functioning, but if levels in the blood get high, it becomes a silent danger that puts us at risk of heart attack.
Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and has important natural functions, vital for:
Contributes to the structure of the wall cells
Makes up digestive bile acids in the intestine
Allows the body to produce Vitamin D
Enables the body to make certain hormones
High levels of LDL lead to build up of cholesterol in the arteries, where as HDL carries cholesterol to the liver for removal from the body.
Build up of cholesterol forms part of the process that narrows the arteries when plaque forms and cause restriction of blood flow.
Two types of causes lead to high cholesterol levels-modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. The major 3 risk factors are highly modifiable.
Chronic Stress
Exercise
Nutrient status- diet
Family medical history
Excessive drinking
Kidney disorder
Vit C or E deficiency
Sex hormone imbalance, as regards to DHEA, estrogen and testosterone
Insulin resistance
Certain medications