By now, most people have heard that high cholesterol levels are bad for our health. The obsession with making all sorts of foods that are fat and cholesterol free continues. But when is cholesterol considered too high and when should you have it checked? And what will happen if your cholesterol is too high? What about so-called "good" cholesterol? I will try to answer some of these common questions.

First of all, it is important to understand that cholesterol and other fats (collectively known as lipids) are a necessary part of life. Without lipids, we would die. Cholesterol is an essential component in the membranes of our cells and is used by our bodies to make several different hormones that are important in every day life. Some fatty acids are essential nutrients and deficiencies can be harmful. Too much of a good thing, however, can be bad.

We don't exactly know why yet, however, when the level of a certain type of cholesterol gets too high, it can be deposited into the walls of blood vessels. This "bad" cholesterol, called LDL, can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, or clogging of the arteries.

High cholesterol is one of the four most important risk factors (the other three are smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure) for heart disease, currently the leading cause of death in this country. It can also be a contributing cause of stroke, limb amputation, and kidney failure.

cholesterol

a steroid alcohol C27H45OH present in animal cells and body fluids that regulates membrane fluidity, functions as a precursor molecule in various metabolic pathways, and as a constituent of LDL may cause arteriosclerosis

To counteract the effects of "bad" cholesterol, there is actually a "good" cholesterol, which is known as HDL. High levels of HDL can actually protect against atherosclerosis and help "clean up" blood vessels that are starting to become clogged and irregular. So, contrary to popular belief, not all cholesterol is bad cholesterol.

Even given this fact, however, it is known that as the total level of cholesterol increases in the blood, the risk for atherosclerosis and heart disease increases. This is because most cholesterol in the blood is the LDL form. So even though some cholesterol is good and some is bad, once the total cholesterol level is elevated, atherosclerosis tends to occur at a more rapid rate.

There are many causes of an increased cholesterol level. The most common cause is improper diet combined with a lack of exercise. Genetic predisposition to elevated cholesterol plays a role in many cases as well. Diabetes, excessive alcohol use, smoking, low thyroid gland function and birth control pills are other common causes of increased lipids in the blood.

Some measures have been shown to improve the lipid levels in the blood - either by raising "good" cholesterol, lowering "bad" cholesterol, or both. Exercise and dietary measures are usually tried first. A minimum of thirty minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week is usually prescribed as well as dietary changes.

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Generally, the most important diet change is a reduction in overall calorie consumption, as well as a reduction in the amount of saturated fat (contained in animal products). Diets high in fiber, especially from fruits and vegetables , can be quite effective in some individuals at lowering cholesterol. Garlic and soy protein have also shown some benefit.

Other ways to improve people's lipid "profile" are often required. These additional measures may include quitting smoking and drinking, hormone therapy in post-menopausal women and lipid lowering medications. A discussion with a physician will help determine which interventions are best for a given individual.

Screening for high cholesterol is still somewhat of a controversial area. Most would agree that screening every five years starting at the age of 40 in men and 50 in women is appropriate. However, some authorities are starting to recommend more aggressive screening, starting at age twenty.

If your doctor suspects high cholesterol due to family history, obesity or other reasons, he/she will probably not wait as long to check your cholesterol level. Normally, patients get a blood test drawn in the morning after an overnight fast.

It is important to remember that there are generally no symptoms from having an elevated cholesterol level. So even though a person may feel fine in the present, chronically elevated cholesterol means that in the future they will probably not be fine. But with a few lifestyle changes and possibly some help from medication, most people with high cholesterol can be treated effectively and lead normal, healthy lives.