Cholesterol is an essential fat that supports the cell membrane and provides stability of the body's cells. Cholesterol is a factor but not the cause of heart attacks all kinds of harmful cholesterol. But if there are more, cholesterol can form plaques in blood vessels and narrow the coronary arteries (arteries that supply blood to the heart muscles). Over a period of time, plaque clogs the arteries and causes atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) which can lead to fatal heart attacks.
Cholesterol is transported through the blood with the help of proteins. These carriers called lipoproteins and, depending on the density of protein, cholesterol to LDL (low-density lipoprotein), HDL (high density lipoprotein or VLDL (very low density lipoprotein). For more information on cholesterol, please refer to the explanation of the various types of cholesterol below!
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
Density lipoprotein or HDL is high known as 'good cholesterol'. This compound consists of a ring around the center of lipoprotein cholesterol. This association makes it more dense than other cholesterol and hence the name 'High Density Lipoprotein'. HDL is considered "good" because it takes extra cholesterol molecules and transports them back to the liver for metabolism and thus, regulate cholesterol levels in the blood. The higher the HDL level, the lower the bad cholesterol in the blood.
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
LDL has a single apolipoprotein (a protein that can bind with lipid) that binds with cholesterol, making it soluble in aqueous medium. It has a highly hydrophobic (water-hating) core consisting of polyunsaturated fatty acids and about 1500 esterified cholesterol molecules. LDL varies in size and density. Small LDL particles are more dangerous and increase the risk of coronary heart disease as compared to the larger LDLs.
LDL cholesterol is lighter than HDL cholesterol. Just like the HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol is also circulated through blood but, unlike the HDL cholesterol, it has a tendency to adhere to the wall of blood vessels. The white blood corpuscles swallow the cholesterol molecules deposited on the walls of blood vessels to protect the blood vessels. The WBCs which ingest the cholesterol molecules oxidize and get converted into toxic substances. With continuous deposition of LDL on the wall, more and more white cells migrate to this area to digest the cholesterol. These depositions, over a period of time, form plaques and impede the blood flow through the artery. Thus, when the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart get clogged due to cholesterol, it affects the cardiac muscle cells and causes heart attack.
Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)
VLDL is another type of lipoprotein made by the liver. This lipoprotein enables fats and cholesterol to move in the bloodstream. VLDL is a very small compound with a size of 30-80 nm. It is involved in transporting triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol and cholesterol esters and thus, works as an internal lipid transport mechanism for the body. Though a lipid binding compound, VLDL is also identified as a contributor in increasing the risk of coronary artery diseases due to the high levels of triglycerides present in it. VLDLs contribute not only to coronary artery diseases but also increase blood pressure and may even lead to a stroke. VLDL is not mentioned during the regular check-ups of cholesterol because there is no simple, direct method to measure its level. It is usually estimated on the basis of the percentage of triglyceride in your body. Normally, VLDL cholesterol level is about 5-30 ml/dl.
Title Post: Types Of Cholesterol
Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thank you for visiting medical news blog
Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thank you for visiting medical news blog
