Cholesterol - definition and treatment

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Cholesterol

When we go to the doctor and find out that we have too much cholesterol in our blood, we are rather puzzled than scared. Few are those who know how to appreciate the value of their cholesterol level and decide if that value is or isn't a risk for their health.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is an important part of the metabolism. It "floats" in the blood; it is taken by the cells and it is located in the cellular diaphragm. A person's body has aproximatively 150-200 mg/dl of cholesterol.
It is considered a vital substance and it is being used in the organism as a construction material for the production of acids, hormones and vitamin D.

The risk of a high cholesterol level

The cholesterol can get into the arteries walls where, with time, he forms deposits. This way, the so-known "fats deposits" are formed; these can suddenly break and flood the arteries.
The consequences can be fatal: infarct, mental attack, blood circulation disorder at the feet level.
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Frequently, the blood vessel's wall, being modified because of the cholesterol, also have chalky precipitate, which leads to vessels sclerosis (arteriosclerosis). Smoking, hypertension and diabetes aggravate this process and can cause the increase the risk of a blood vessel disfunctionality.

The normal values of cholesterol

As a rule, a total of 200 mg/dl of cholesterol is considered as being normal. The risk of making arteriosclerosis is, in this case, a minor one. The cholesterol level must preventively be measured every year. The blood analysys must be taken on an empty stomach, which means the patient must have not eaten for 5 hours.

Keeping a low cholesterol level

A healthy way of life can help us lower the cholesterol level by 20%. There are 3 major factors:

fitness: at least 30 minutes per day of walking or riding your bike
normalizing your body weight: the extra pounds produce a high level of cholesterol. That's why getting thinner is absolutely necessary.
correct alimentation: a healthy meal means fiber reach, low cholesterol aliments. This means they contain few saturated fats. Also, consuming fried or cooked aliments and fat meat is forbidden. The consuming of fruits, vegetables and complete cereals is required.

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