Role of Cholesterol

In today’s changing lifestyle, people are becoming more conscious about their health. On the other hand, cases of various health ailments are on the rise and one of them is increasing level of cholesterol. It is that type of malady that has direct effect on our heart. Increased level of cholesterol in blood gives rise to the development of several heart related diseases. In human body, each and every cell and the entire blood contain cholesterol in normal quantity but when the balance is disturbed then the problem arises.

Here the question arises that what is cholesterol and what role does it play in the body and can its rise be controlled through food or continuously taking the prescribed medicines. Cholesterol is a wax like yellow matter which is somewhat similar to fat. It gets manufactured in the liver of human body and daily liver produces 1500 milligram of cholesterol. Eighty five percent of the cholesterol is manufactured by the body internally and over fifteen percent through food.

Role of Cholesterol

Cholesterol plays an important role in managing the biological actions of the body. Through it, the sex hormones are produced in the body. When the skin comes into contact with the sunlight then cholesterol converts into Vitamin D.

When Cholesterol becomes harmful?

Cholesterol rises in the body in two ways. Firstly, eating food which is rich in saturated fat becomes the main reason behind the increase of cholesterol in blood. If a person eats food containing cholesterol than its effect gets doubled. Secondly, if the body manufactures cholesterol in greater quantity than also the amount of cholesterol can increase. In both the ways the health of a person suffers a lot because besides the possibilities of developing heart related ailments, a person can also develop diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, etc.

How to diagnose the level of cholesterol?

To know about the exact level of cholesterol, doctors advise a person to undergo lipid profile test. Normally, if the level of cholesterol in blood is less than 200 milligram then it is considered normal but if it is above that than one must take appropriate precautions.

Normally, oil & fat are divided into two categories, i.e. saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fat increases the blood cholesterol. Try to include more fruits and vegetables such as oranges, fruits of yellow or red colour and avoid eating food which has large amount of calories.