What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a soft substance found in the body cells and is indeed one of those ingredients that keep the body working. One thing that it is to be known is that cholesterol is only of one type, but there are varied cholesterol complexes. In order to get to the body cells, cholesterol needs to travel through the bloodstream. As cholesterol is a fat it separates itself from the blood just like we see oil separating itself from the water.
Different Types of Cholesterol Explained
There are prominently three different
types of cholesterol complexes that are used for transporting cholesterol to the body. When lipid panel test is done, three prominent kinds of cholesterol complexes are tested low density lipoproteins, High density lipoproteins and Very low density lipoproteins.
Low Density Lipoproteins
LDL, also known as low density lipoproteins is bad cholesterol that is usually produced by the liver. Low density lipoproteins carry lipids and cholesterol from liver to diverse areas of the body, like muscles, tissues, organs, and the heart.
One important thing to be known about low density lipoproteins is that efforts need to be made to keep these down as if they increase their prescribed limits; chances are that the blood stream is getting more than required cholesterol.
High Density Lipoproteins
HDL or high density lipoproteins are basically produced by liver for carrying lipids and cholesterol from organs and tissues back to the liver for both degradation and recycling. If the body has a high level of HDL then it gives a signal that the heart is healthy.
Very Low Density Lipoproteins
VLDL or very low density lipoproteins are the ones that usually carry cholesterol from the liver to different tissues and organs of the body. Very low density lipoproteins formed by a combination of triglycerides and cholesterol. One basic fact about these lipoproteins is very low density lipoproteins are heavier than the low density lipoproteins. Very low density lipoproteins are usually associated with heart disease and atherosclerosis.
What Are High Cholesterol Drugs?
Statins are basically the medicines used to treat high cholesterol as these reduce the risk of heart attack, early death and stroke in some cases. Apart from Statins, some of the most preferred
high cholesterol drugs are resins, fibrates and niacin. These high cholesterol drugs block the production of cholesterol by the liver. All these drugs work inside the intestines, blind to the bile from the liver and moreover prevent it from being reabsorbed in the circulatory system.
One important thing to be kept in mind is that these high cholesterol drugs come with many side effects also. It is better to consult with ones doctor and get self examination done as this would help one settle for the drug that would harm the health.
