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Cholesterol and Triglycerides are both
forms of lipid or fat. Our body needs both to function. Cholesterol
is needed to construct cell membranes and make hormones.
Triglycerides provide cells and muscles energy to function. Our body
produces a small amount of natural lipid, but most of our cholesterol
and triglycerides come from dietary sources, especially animal
products and foods high in saturated fat. If your body continuously
has high amounts of cholesterol and/or triglycerides you run the risk
of developing heart disease, blocked arteries and having a stroke.
The body manufactures enough
cholesterol to provide for its needs – we don’t need to take in
more. However, this is virtually impossible as it is contained in all
animal-based foods. The American Heart Association recommends that
you limit your average daily cholesterol intake to less than 300
milligrams. If you have already been diagnosed with heart disease,
limit your daily intake to less than 200 milligrams.
Cholesterol and triglycerides cannot
dissolve in the blood. This means that they have to be transported to
and from the cells of our body in lipid-protein packages called
lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein is the main cholesterol carrier
in the blood. This is considered to be bad for the body because too
much of it can clog up the walls of the arteries that feed the heart
and brain. This will reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood which feeds
the muscles.
About one third of the cholesterol in
the body is carried by high-density lipoproteins. High-density
lipoproteins are believed to carry cholesterol away from the arteries
and back to the liver, so it can pass out of the body. High-density
lipoproteins are considered good lipoproteins and seem to protect
against heart attack.
Ideal cholesterol levels are as
follows:
The cholesterol HDL ratio is a number
derived by dividing your total cholesterol number by your high
density lipoprotein number. The average ratio in the US is about 4.5
for men and 4.0 for women. For people with heart disease, a ratio of
3.0 is ideal.
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