Cholesterol or Colesteral forms part of the protective external membrane which surrounds every bodily tissue. Its primary functions is to insulate nerve fibres, thus also ensuring proper transfers of nerve signals, and produce certain hormones in the body. Maintaining a certain required level of cholesterol is essential for the smooth functioning of the body and its internal organs. However, when the level of colesteral in the body crosses a certain maximum mark, it becomes harmful, often leading to coronary problems.

Food and Cholesterol

There is a direct relationship between the food we eat and the cholesterol levels in our system. However, the usual misconception is that every food type is high on colesteral. The truth is that there are certain kinds of cholesterol-rich food that are more harmful than others. For instance, eggs, shellfish and offal are foods that comprise extremely high levels of cholesterol, while there are others like soy and bran that help reduce colesteral.

What is of importance is the kind of fat that the food you are consuming consists. There are certain essential fats that the body needs while others which harm its functioning. Once consumed, certain components of food, like saturated fats, is converted into   cholesterol by the liver.

Lipoprotein and Cholesterol

Lipoproteins are molecules that carry cholesterol to different locations within the body. There exists an intrinsic relationship between cholesterol and Lipoproteins. Knowledge about the levels of cholesterol alone is not enough to ascertain the degree of risk of heart diseases. The composition of the lipoproteins also has a significant effect on it.

The three different types of Lipoproteins include Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) which is also called ‘bad’ cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein or ‘good’ cholesterol and Triglycerides.

Having high levels of LDL and triglycerides is dangerous for health.

Healthy Levels of Cholesterol

The average total cholesterol level is currently 5.5mmol/l for men and 5.6mmol/l for women, which is more than the optimum level.

In recent years, the degree of danger from cholesterol is determined in conjunction with the overall risk of contracting coronary diseases by an individual. It is actually the combined levels of lipoproteins and cholesterol which matter. Other factors that have an implication are age, gender, hereditary conditions, blood pressure, diabetes and physical health.

Given the various factors, determining what constitutes a healthy cholesterol level becomes divisive.

According to the Department of Health and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, following is healthy:

• LDL cholesterol – less than 3.0mmol/l
• Total cholesterol – less than 5.0mmol/l

Treating Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a condition that develops over the years owing to one’s dietary and physical habits. People who maintain a healthy lifestyle are at a lesser risk as against those who take unnecessary liberties with their health.

However, when one realizes the condition and its dangers, they should work on lowering the levels by adopting:

• Regular physical exercise
• Healthy eating

While increased physical activity helps increase levels of HDL, healthy eating ensures consuming minimum saturated and trans fats and increased the intake of cholesterol-lowering foods like soya, garlic, oats and corn. Maintaining a healthy level of colesteral is required to dismiss the risk of heart diseases or strokes.