What is Cholesterol?Cholesterol is a sterol (a combination steroid and alcohol). Cholesterol is a lipid found in the cell membranes of all tissues, and it is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. Because cholesterol is synthesized by all eukaryotes, trace amounts of cholesterol are also found in membranes of plants and fungi.The name originates from the Greek chole- (bile) and stereos (solid), and the chemical suffix -ol for an alcohol, as researchers first identified cholesterol in solid form in gallstones by Francois Poulletier de la Salle in 1769. However, it is only in 1815 that chemist Eugene Chevreul named the compound "cholesterine".[2]Most of the cholesterol is synthesized by the body and some has dietary origin. Cholesterol is more abundant in tissues which either synthesize more or have more abundant densely-packed membranes, for example, the liver, spinal cord and brain. It plays a central role in many biochemical processes, such as the composition of cell membranes and the synthesis of steroid hormones. Cholesterol is insoluble in blood, but is transported in the circulatory system bound to one of the varieties of lipoprotein, spherical particles which have an exterior composed mainly of water-soluble proteins. The main types, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) carry cholesterol from and to the liver.According to the lipid hypothesis, abnormally high cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia) and abnormal proportions of LDL and HDL are associated with cardiovascular disease by promoting atheroma development in arteries (atherosclerosis). This disease process leads to myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke and peripheral vascular disease. As high LDL contributes to this process, it is termed "bad cholesterol", while high levels of HDL ("good cholesterol") offer a degree of protection. The balance can be redressed with exercise, a healthy diet, and sometimes medication. |
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Weight loss and blood pressure Nov 2003; 117-6 While it is reasonably clear that being overweight may predispose to higher blood pressure, what is the evidence that losing weight reduces blood pressure? High blood pressure and children: Watch your child's weight A Mayo Clinic specialist explains how obesity and high blood pressure threaten children's health. Adult Health Advisor 2005.4: High Blood Pressure: Weight Control One of the most important causes of high blood pressure is overweight. Excess weight puts stress on the heart and lungs, forcing them to work harder. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Patient UK Losing some excess weight can make a big difference. Blood pressure can fall by up to 2.5/1.5 mmHg for each excess kilogram which is lost. Preventing and controlling high blood pressure - WebMD As your body weight increases, your blood pressure rises. In fact, being overweight You can reduce your risk of high blood pressure by losing weight. Medindia.net - Blood Pressure charts Main Reasons for high blood pressure: hereditary, mental tension, excess intake of common salt, over-weight, sedentary life- style, smoking and excess How The Body controls Blood Pressure Cardiomyopathy or enlargement of the heart muscle also increases blood pressure. Excess weight makes your heart work harder to pump blood through the body. lifeclinic.com - Lower Your Blood Pressure According to the National Institutes of Health, excess body weight is correlated closely with high blood pressure, and a weight reduction program can be High Blood Pressure: Things You Can Do to Help Lower Yours If you're overweight, losing weight usually helps lower blood pressure. Regular exercise is a good way to lose weight. It also seems to lower high blood Cholesterol, Blood Pressure and Weight Tracker A handy quick-reference wallet-size guide providing tips on lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, and controlling weight. It features tracking charts Weight and blood pressure - overweight and health problems If you are overweight, then losing 22 pounds (10kg) can help lower your systolic blood pressure by 5 - 10mmHg. If you combine weight loss with other |
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