Cholesterol is the Jekyll and Hyde of the body

  • Published
  • HAWC Staff
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Cholesterol is literally the split personality of human cells. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde split cholesterol into good, bad and ugly categories. 

In the Dr. Jekyll-good side, cholesterol is essential for daily function. The body produces and uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D and the bile acids that help digest fat. But for many Americans, cholesterol also has a Mr. Hyde-style evil side. When present in excessive amounts, it can injure blood vessels, and cause heart attacks and stroke. 

September is National Cholesterol Month and in honor of that, here are the good, the bad and the ugly facts about this building block of life: 

What is cholesterol? 
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. Total cholesterol is the sum of all the cholesterol in the blood; the higher total cholesterol, the greater the risk for heart disease. 

· Good · High-density lipoprotein - This "good" cholesterol carries blood cholesterol back to the liver, where it can be eliminated. HDL helps prevent a cholesterol buildup in blood vessels. Low HDL levels increase heart disease risk. 

· Bad · Low-density lipoprotein - This "bad" cholesterol is the form in which cholesterol is carried into the blood and is the main cause of harmful fatty buildup in arteries. The higher the LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, the greater the heart disease risk. 

· Ugly · Triglycerides - are a form of fat carried through the bloodstream. Only a small portion of triglycerides are found in the bloodstream. High blood triglyceride levels alone do not necessarily cause heart disease, but may be a sign of a problem that contributes to heart disease. 

The good news
A few simple changes can help lower cholesterol: 

Eat low cholesterol foods. The American Heart Association recommends that people limit their average daily cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams. People can significantly lower their dietary cholesterol intake by keeping their saturated fat intake low. 

Quit smoking. Smoking lowers HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. This trend can be reversed by quitting smoking. 

Exercise. Exercise increases HDL cholesterol in some people. Even moderate-intensity activities, if done daily, can help control weight, diabetes and high blood pressure - all risk factors for heart disease. 

How do I get more information?
The Health and Wellness Center offers monthly classes to help work with both personalities of cholesterol. To find out more information about high cholesterol, sign up for the class by calling 731-4292.