Cholesterol – research and results. What’s the difference between good cholesterol and bad cholesterol?

Proven content

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that is present in every cell of the human body. It is a material for the synthesis of hormones, vitamin D and bile acids – essential in the digestion of fats. Excess cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries, including those that nourish your heart, leading to coronary artery disease.

What is Cholesterol?

It is an organic compound that is essential for the functioning of the body and belongs to the group of sterols, which does not dissolve in the blood, so in order to be able to move along with it, it must bind to proteins. One part of cholesterol is produced in the liver, from where it travels with blood to all cells in the body, and the other part is supplied with food. Cholesterol is found mainly in animal fats and animal products.

Cholesterol occurs in the body mainly in two forms: high-density lipoproteins (HDL), commonly known as good cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), commonly known as bad cholesterol. Both one form and the other are necessary for the smooth functioning of the body, because no cell of the body can do without it. However, excess blood sugar (dyslipidemia) is unhealthy because it can build up in the walls of your arteries, including those that nourish your heart, thus contributing to ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease). Patients with excess cholesterol usually do not experience this condition directly, but may develop the above-mentioned complication. Therefore, its concentration should be kept reasonably low.

Cholesterol Functions:

1. production and absorption of vitamin D,
2. building blocks of cell membranes,
3. cholesterol is a component of bile, thanks to which the digestive process is facilitated,
4. cholesterol contributes to the production of hormones, e.g. sex,
5. Cholesterol, which is part of the myelin sheaths, protects the nerve fibers from damage.

What is bad cholesterol?

LDL cholesterol, called “bad cholesterol”, is the main cholesterol transporter from the liver to other organs, including muscles, kidneys and adrenal cortex. Bad cholesterol is deposited in the blood vessels, causing their lumen to narrow, which in turn activates atherosclerotic changes, circulation problems, and in some cases even heart failure. LDL cholesterol is the greatest threat to the coronary arteries, which accumulate the greatest amount of cholesterol deposits. In a healthy person, arteries are flexible and smooth, and cholesterol causes stiffening and narrowing of the ears (atherosclerosis). It is the narrowing of the artery and the formation of blood clots that are the most common causes of strokes and myocardial infarction.

There are a number of preparations available on the market to lower cholesterol in the body, but they only work in people with slightly elevated LDL levels. Examples of such drugs are, for example, agents with artichoke extract and containing soy phytoestrogens or pumpkin phytosterols. The best known and effective drug for reducing the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) and thus increasing the level of HDL (good cholesterol) is a group of drugs called statins.

Other, equally often recommended drugs in the treatment of lipid disorders to lower cholesterol are fibrates, e.g. gemfibrozil, fenofibrate. It is administered to people with elevated triglyceride levels because they effectively lower their concentration, and additionally have a protective effect by stimulating an increase in the concentration of HDL cholesterol.

It is also an important therapeutic component diet. It is recommended to limit the consumption of fats while increasing the amount of vegetables and fruits. In addition to the diet, it is necessary to change the current lifestyle and avoid stress, alcohol consumption and smoking.

What is good cholesterol?

Good cholesterol (HDL) plays a very important role in our body. It is primarily responsible for the purification of cholesterol from the blood plasma. HDL cholesterol “collects” free cholesterol from the surface of cell membranes and circulating lipoproteins. Therefore, its increased concentration in the blood prevents cardiovascular diseases. Scientists (e.g. from Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC) in Boston) also speak about the positive effect of HDL cholesterol. According to them, good cholesterol can extend life. They base their thesis on a study of war veterans aged about 65, who were divided into groups. However, there is also a group of scientists who say that good cholesterol is not all that positive. According to them, raising HDL cholesterol with drugs does not minimize the risk of a heart attack.

What is the lipid profile?

By taking a small amount of venous blood, it is possible to determine the level of cholesterol in the body. The test is performed on an empty stomach and is called the lipid profile. It includes the following markings:

1. total cholesterol (total cholesterol in the body)
2. HDL (“good”) cholesterol (prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries),
3. LDL (“bad”) cholesterol (the main cause of atherosclerosis in the vessels)
4. triglycerides (another form of fat in the body that can also lead to atherosclerosis).

By determining the level of cholesterol, it is possible to assess the individual risk of developing heart disease. In healthy people over 30 years of age, it is recommended to perform the lipid profile co 3 years. Above 50 years of age, this test is recommended once a year (both in men and women).

Cholesterol testing

Usually profile lipidowy is marked on an empty stomach. No food or liquid (except water) should be consumed in the 14 hours preceding the test, and no alcohol should be consumed within 48 hours. In some cases, such as when it comes only to measuring total or HDL cholesterol, food and fluids may be consumed in the pre-test period.

What does the cholesterol test look like?

During the cholesterol test, the nurse will take a small amount of blood from your hand. Usually, for this purpose, he will make a puncture in the area of ​​the elbow fossa. After collecting the blood, you will receive a cotton ball, which should be pressed firmly against the puncture site (this way, it prevents the formation of a possible hematoma). Remember that you shouldn’t bend your elbow at this stage. Try to keep your upper limb straight until a little bleeding has stopped. Then you can stop applying pressure to the injection site and throw away the cotton ball. If you are bleeding heavily, ask the nurse for an extra cotton ball and plaster.

You can also do a cholesterol test at home. Order today the Multifunction meter – glucose, cholesterol, uric acid – NOVAMA MultiCheck Pro +, which will allow you to regularly check various blood parameters on your own.

How long does cholesterol testing take?

Blood sampling is a very quick procedure and takes up to a few minutes.

Is cholesterol testing painful?

It is only slightly sore when the nurse performs the puncture.

After the test …

After the cholesterol test, when the bleeding at the injection site has stopped, you can resume your daily activities. If you donated blood while fasting, be sure to eat a meal. If you are taking medications and the doctor ordering the test has not decided otherwise, you can use them according to a predetermined schedule.

Take care of the right level of cholesterol and buy APCC – reishi, shitake, cordyceps, chaga – YANGO dietary supplement. The preparation also has a positive effect on the immune system, and additionally helps to regulate blood glucose levels.

Risks from cholesterol testing

When collecting blood, there is a slight risk of infection at the puncture site – but it is not higher than in any other case of a broken skin.

After testing for cholesterol, a small bruise or hematoma may appear at the injection site (in the latter case, the amount of blood that collects under the skin is greater). If the bruise / hematoma grows larger just after blood sampling, apply more pressure to the injection site. If this does not work after a few or several minutes, contact your doctor. In people with a bleeding disorder or taking anticoagulants, bleeding at the injection site is sometimes more severe. Some patients report feeling faint or dizzy after taking blood. In this case, lie down on something flat, eat a meal or a drink of water. Fainting after blood sampling is extremely rare.

Cholesterol testing – results

Results lipid profile are usually available within a few days of blood collection.

Depending on the value of the total cholesterol level, the patient falls into one of three groups:

• with the desired level (below 200 mg / dL),

• with a borderline level (200-239 mg / dL),

• to the high-risk group (over 240 mg / dL).

Interpretation of HDL cholesterol determinations:

• over 60 mg / dL – protects against heart disease;

• 40-59 mg / dL – normal level;

• below 40 mg / dL – considered an important risk factor for the development of heart disease.

Interpretation of LDL cholesterol determinations:

• optimal (below 100 mg / dL),

• above the optimal level (100-129 mg / dL),

• extremely high (130-159 mg / dL),

• high (160-189 mg / dL),

• very high (over 190 mg / dL).

Interpretation of the results of triglyceride determinations:

• normal (below 150 mg / dL),

• extremely high (150-199 mg / dL),

• high (200-499 mg / dL),

• very high (over 500 mg / dL).

The risk of developing cardiovascular disease depends not only on the level of cholesterol or triglycerides, but also on the presence of other risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking or previously diagnosed heart diseases.

Total cholesterol – analysis of the results

High cholesterol total is observed in the case of:

1. alcoholism
2. hypothyroidism
3. kidney failure
4. nephrotic syndrome,
5. alcoholism
6. thyroid gland,
7. cholestasis (cholestasis),
8. psoriasis
9. people who eat foods that contain a large amount of cholesterol (mainly animal fats).

Sometimes the cause of excessive amounts of cholesterol is hiperlipoproteinemia, which is a disease of the liver in which too much cholesterol is produced.

In turn, total cholesterol below standard, suggests:

1. anemia,
2. cirrhosis,
3. sepsis,
4. hunger strike,
5. toxic or infectious liver damage,
6. acute liver necrosis,
7. overactive thyroid gland.

When should you see a doctor?

The results of lipid profile tests should be discussed with your doctor. They will explain whether you are at risk for cardiovascular disease and, if necessary, recommend a diet or medication. It should be remembered that cholesterol-lowering drugs significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.