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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Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure
When systolic and diastolic blood pressures fall into different categories, the higher category should be used to classify blood pressure level.

Categories for Blood Pressure Levels in Adults: Guide to Lowering HBP
Heart Infocenter. Healthy blood fat and blood pressure levels. What is normal and what is too high?

Healthy blood fat and blood pressure levels, cholesterol
So it's important to know about blood pressure and how to keep it within a healthy level. Normal blood pressure falls within a range; it's not one set of

About High Blood Pressure
What are healthy levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides? factors such as age, family history, smoking and high blood pressure.

What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean
Healthy Level: Healthy blood pressure should have a systolic (top number) of no more than 119 and a diastolic (bottom number) of no more than 79.

Lifestyle Indicators in Your 40s - Health and Lifestlye in Your 40s
There's no cure as such for hypertension, but following a healthy lifestyle can be enough to bring blood pressure down to a normal level.

BBC - Health - Conditions - Hypertension
Diabetes: Tips On Keeping Your Blood Sugar at a Healthy Level Ask your doctor or diabetes teacher what a healthy blood sugar level is for you.

Diabetes: Tips on Healthy Blood Sugar Levels - Diabetes Mellitus
Vitamins and nutrients to support a healthy level of blood pressure. Presented by Leonid Magidenko, MD. Thursday, June 21, 2007

Vitamins and nutrients to support a healthy level of blood
Some people need to take medicine to keep their blood pressure at healthy levels. If you take medicine, be sure to talk to your doctor about how to take it.


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