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.

blood pressure levels in children
High Blood Pressure in Children
High blood pressure levels are different for children than for adults. Whereas adult blood pressure levels are standard, childrenâ™s blood pressure readings

Blood Pressure Tables for Children and Adolescents, NHLBI
The updated blood pressure (BP) tables for children and adolescents are based a BP level that defines hypertension, management decisions about children

Blood pressure levels in children
Blood pressure levels have been measured in children (aged 5- 15 years) since 1995 in the Health Survey for England. Mean systolic blood pressure generally

Blood Pressure Levels Among Children/Teenagers, May 4, 2004 Press
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels for children and teenagers have risen substantially since 1988, according to a new study supported by the

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
If an underlying illness is causing hypertension, treating that illness may be enough to get the blood pressure back to normal levels.

News - High Blood Pressure Often Missed in Kids
Looking at the blood pressure levels of more than 14000 children and teens (from ages 3 to 18), researchers discovered that nearly three quarters of the

High Blood Pressure in Children
Children, even very young babies, can have high blood pressure. that lets researchers consider different levels of growth in evaluating blood pressure.

Kids elevated blood pressure prevalence linked to rise in obesity
11 â” After decades of decline, blood pressure levels in children and adolescents are increasing, according to an analysis of national health surveys

USATODAY.com - High blood pressure: The new childhood scourge
A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a strong upward shift in the blood pressure levels among 5582 children,

The New York Times > Health > Children's Blood Pressure Levels
As health officials struggle to control the growing rate of childhood obesity, children and adolescents' blood pressure levels have been climbing,

More Kids Developing High Blood Pressure - washingtonpost.com
Previous research had indicated that the obesity epidemic was driving up blood pressure levels among children. But the new research is the first to document


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