Cholesterol is an essential nutrient for our bodies and is needed for many important functions in the body. High blood cholesterol levels can be harmful and is one of the major risk factors for heart disease.

What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the blood stream and in all body cells.
The body gets cholesterol from two sources: the foods we eat and our liver. Although many foods contain cholesterol, the liver actually produces up to 80% cholesterol that we need. A blood test can determine if you have high cholesterol levels. A total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL (5.17mmol/L) is desirable. 200-239 mg/dL (5.17-6.18mmol/L) is considered borderline cholesterol and 240mg/dL) (6.21mmol/L) is considered high cholesterol.
Cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood and have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are several types of lipoproteins but the main ones are low-density lipoproteins (LDL) also called “bad cholesterol” and high density lipoproteins (HDL) also called “good cholesterol”.
Low-density cholesterol (LDH) is called “bad cholesterol” because high levels can cause cholesterol build up and blockage in the arteries. A LDH level of less than 100 mg/dL (less than 2.6 mmol/L) is considered optimal, and a level of 160 mg/dL (4.88 mmol/L) and above is considered high.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is sometimes called “good cholesterol” because it helps prevent cholesterol from building up in the arteries. If you are at risk for heart disease, it may be beneficial to raise your HDL cholesterol levels. An HDL level of 60mg/dL (1.56 mmol/L) or higher is considered desirable.

Why is cholesterol so important for our health?
A high level of cholesterol especially high density lipoprotein is an important risk factor for developing atherosclerosis prematurely. This can lead to heart disease which can in turn lead to premature death. Lowering high cholesterol levels can lessen the risk of heart disease and reduce the chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease.

How do I know if I have high blood cholesterol levels?
High blood cholesterol levels by themselves do not cause symptoms. You may have symptoms from illnesses caused by high cholesterol levels, such as atherosclerosis. A simple blood test can let you know how high your cholesterol levels are.

What factors can affect cholesterol levels?
A variety of factors can affect cholesterol levels. These include the following:
Diet - Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food we eat can cause high cholesterol levels. Foods such as egg yolks, meat, seafood and whole-milk dairy products contain cholesterol. Foods from plants (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds) do not contain cholesterol. The body makes all the cholesterol we need. Saturated fatty acids are the main culprit in raising blood cholesterol. Trans fats also raise blood cholesterol.
Weight - Being overweigh is a risk factor for heart disease. It also tends to increase your cholesterol. Losing weigh can help to lower your LDL and total cholesterol levels as well as raise your HDL.
Physical activity - Not being physically active is a risk factor for heart disease. Regular physical activity can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Regular moderate to intense physical activity such as brisk walking, jogging and swimming can improve your health. Other activities such as gardening, housework, dancing can also be beneficial.
Heredity - Your genes partly determine how much cholesterol your body makes. High blood cholesterol can run in families.

What to do if you have high cholesterol levels?
Once you know your cholesterol levels and risk factors for coronary heart disease, your doctor will consider the cause of your high cholesterol levels while developing a treatment plan. There are two basic ways of lowering your cholesterol: modifying your lifestyle or taking medications. Your doctor might first recommend lifestyle changes such as modifying your diet, losing weight and exercise. If your cholesterol levels (mainly LDL) cannot be lowered to safe levels your doctor might recommend some medications to use along with these lifestyle changes. There are several drugs available to lower your cholesterol level. Your doctor will help you decide which one is the best for you.

Conclusion
Cholesterol is an important nutrient for our bodies, but high levels are associated with an increase risk of developing heart disease which can cause premature death. Our body produces it own cholesterol and we do not need to get any from our meals, but sadly many individuals consume large amounts of dietary cholesterol. A blood test can determine cholesterol levels and if elevated should be reduced even if the person has no other risks factors for heart disease.

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