Cholesterol

Often we hear a disease caused by high levels of cholesterol in the body. Actually what is cholesterol? Actually, cholesterol is a complex fatty compound that circulates in the blood, where the fat is one of substance required by our body as well as carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins. One source of energy for our bodies that gives the highest calories is fat or cholesterol. Cholesterol is also a substance that our body needs, especially in the formation of cell walls in the body. Many food sources that contain cholesterol found in cheese, egg yolk, beef, pork, poultry, and shrimp.

Where does cholesterol come:

• every person has cholesterol in the blood, where 80% of cholesterol produced by the body (in production in the liver), and 20% came from outside the body (from the foods we eat).

In the cholesterol produced by the body consists of 2 types namely:

• LDL(low density lipoprotein) cholesterol, this type is the bad cholesterol, which when excessive amounts in the blood will be deposited on artery walls to form clots that can clog arteries, especially in cardiovascular and brain.
• HDL(high density lipoprotein) cholesterol is good cholesterol, which has a cleaning function of blood vessels from excessive LDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol levels high are a good sign as long as LDL cholesterol less than 150 mg / dl.
  

In addition to the above 2 components there are also cholesterol triglycerides. These fats are formed from the metabolism of food, not only in the form of fat but also in the form of carbohydrate foods and excessive protein, which is not entirely necessary as a source of energy. This triglyceride levels will increase if we consume excess calories, greater than our needs.

Cholesterol can not dissolve in the blood, to be delivered to the body then transferred to the body of cholesterol with proteins into particles called lipoproteins. Cholesterol is the raw material forming the steroid hormones. Cholesterol we need is normally produced in normal amounts in our bodies. However, cholesterol in our bodies can increase in number because of intake of foods derived from animal fats, eggs and or unhealthy food. Be careful on this type of food!